For The Sake of Love For The Sake of Love

Here it is! Finally! Another chapter of For The Sake of Love. Quite interesting actually.
***

" What happened? Please, good woman, finish your tale." I pleaded desperately, too curious to be ashamed: a bard like myself begging.
" It is getting dark," She replied," Come, we should find an inn at Peonyflower."

I followed her obediently down the path towards the inn.

" It is still a ways to Peonyflower border, please continue."

She looked at me for a moment, then her voice cleared as she resumed her tale. I sighed in relief.

***

It was dark, and I knew what Cherese had said was true, that there was no way in or out of the maze except for the entrance. I paced the center for some time; tried to think of some other way. Maybe I could run away, or I could try to hide for a little while. But, every time, my mind would wander back to Syaoran. There would be no possible communication between he and I, and I cringed to think of what Cherese would do in my absence. I mean, I knew Syaoran would be loyal, but you never knew what could happen when one was in despair. I didn't want to hurt him like that. No, I would rather spend 5 seconds of life confronting Cherese, then to hurt my beloved Syaoran.

Sakura took a deep breath, and remembering the lefts and rights Syaoran had pulled her through, she slowly made her way back to the entrance. The light flooded in from it, and she walked unhesitantly out. Suddenly, it was dark again, the marble floor glowed dimly from the ballroom lights. But, where was Cherese? Sakura, after a much needed inspection of her tattered state, continued slowly up the stairs, and towards the ballroom. She was gone? She was gone! Sakura could have leapt for joy...and she nearly did, until a voice penetrated her euphoria.

" I knew you would come out. Could not stand the thought of losing your precious betrothed to me, could you? Pitiful..."

Sakura turned around. Cherese was calm, collected, never wavering. But, something in her eyes told Sakura plainly, that she wasn't as peaceful as she seemed at that point. A wild streak ran through her, one that wanted to murder Sakura..

" Well, since you are here, I might as well kill you. Would not wish to disappoint your high expectations after all." Cherese sneered.

Cherese closed her eyes to savor the moment, then reached into the folds of her dress. A handle gleamed maliciously, and slowly, her fingers curled around the weapon of choice..................slowly she made her way towards Sakura, and slowly Sakura swallowed to relieve the lump from her throat.

" Do not worry, despite what agony you have caused me, this will all be quick, though I can not vouch for painless!!!" Cherese wrenched her weapon clear of her hiding place........a spoon.

" WHAT?!!!" She glared down at the utensil. In her haste, she had forgotten that all the knifeware had been removed, and replaced for the sugar honey dessert spoons. Her fingers uncurled, and it dropped to the floor with a clink.

Sakura, suddenly found herself laughing. She was scared out of her wits, and here this extraordinary turn of events.

" Stop it!" Cherese's voice was once again whiny and high-pitched.

Sakura couldn't help it. All this time...she'd been afraid over a spoon! The thought had her nearly rolling with laughter...not to mention the relief at still being alive...

" STOP...IT!" Cherese lunged out and with a great shove, sent Sakura tumbling down the length of the staircase.

She landed at the bottom with a heavy thud, bruised, and blood pooling from something broken. Her eyes were fuzzing, and clouding, and her thoughts scattered. Well, leave it to Cherese to find a way to kill her in the most unscrupulous fashion imagined...

*****
" We're here." The old woman walked slowly up to the innkeeper and requested two rooms, one for her and one for her friend...
" We must eat now," The old woman said patiently.
" That girl must not have succeeded in murdering Sakura."
" Of course not...if she had, I would not be here would I?"

He pondered this over his dinner. The woman watched him fidget with his food.

" Seeing as that you look neither tired, nor hungry, I will continue."

******

I remember little, but the pain...I was blacking in and out...in and out, never sure of whether I was here or somewhere else...

Cherese looked down at the still figure. Not exactly what she'd been planning but it would have to do.

" Hmph. Now we will see to it that your father and mother change their plans...Mustn't have their opinion in this."
" Excuse me."

Cherese turned around so quickly she nearly fell down the stairs herself. A girl stood behind her, light black hair, and light purple eyes.

" Excuse me, have you seen Sakura, I've been looking for her everywhere, and I can't seem to..."

Cherese just stared. She didn't recognize this girl. Well, from her tone, she hadn't seen the events in the ballroom either. All the better.

" No, I haven't, I..."
" AAAAHHHH!!!!"

Cherese turned to see Tomoyo pale and shaky, looking down the steps towards the prone figure. Her eyes turned hauntingly around to face Cherese, and it scared the would-be murderer to see the fear and disbelief in her wide eyes.

" You've murdered her!"
" That's right!" Cherese grabbed Tomoyo threateningly," And if you dare mention a word of it I will surely kill you as well..."
" Lady Tomoyo?"

Cherese automatically let go of Tomoyo, and stood nonchalantly as the silhouette of a figure approached. Syaoran walked out of the light, and turned to the still pale girl he'd been searching for.

" There you are," He pulled her aside, away from Cherese," Have you seen Sakura? I need to talk to..."

Tomoyo was fighting an inner war. Preserve her own life, or her friend's? She bit her lip till it bled, and Syaoran was watching her with a friendly concern.

" Lady Tomoyo, are you all right? You look pale...you should go back in and sit down..."
" Oh, sir, it was awful!!!" Tomoyo finally burst out, crying into her hands, as Cherese stood by venomously.
" What, lady? What could be so awful, to have such a pretty maid in tears?" Syaoran held her at arms length.
" SAKURA IS DEAD!" Tomoyo cried out," That filthy girl murdered her! Killed my dear friend!"

Tomoyo ran into the ball room crying the rest of the way. She felt herself bump into someone, and collapsed to the floor sobbing. When a hand reached down to help her up, she only curled into a smaller ball and wracked with agony at her friends fate. A few whispers were exchange, and then a strong set of arms picked her up gently and walked slowly towards a guest room for her to recuperate.

******

" No." Syaoran muttered in disbelief...it couldn't have been true. " NO!"
" All, this time, and I still can not understand what you saw in her." Cherese mumbled.
" You!" His hand went up, and across her face. She clutched her cheek in surprise.
" What kind of man strikes a lady?" She screeched angrily, curls toppling down the side of her head.
" I am a gentleman, and would not harm a lady, but YOU!!!, are no lady!" He stepped back angrily, eyes narrowed.

This seemed to affect her little.

" Well, Sakura's no lady anymore either."
" She is three times what you will ever be..." He murmurred angrily.
" Not anymore." Cherese grinned. " No, now she's just a corpse. Dead, gone! And nothing you can do can change that."

His face fell to one of despair, and he rushed down the stairs 3 at a time, until he came to her figure at the bottom, lying in a pool of her own blood.

" Sakura..." He gently picked her up, limp and light in his arms. She stirred!
" Sakura?" He wished desperately that she would respond.
" We must remember...our lessons now." Sakura mumbled painfully,"...you never address a Lady...by anything other then..."
" Hush." He scolded softly. He could have cared less about teachings...she was alive!!!

Syaoran carried Sakura slowly up the staircase, never once making eye-contact with Cherese. She merely watched the two coldly, eyes narrowed to slits, and clutching her arm till it bruised. That little witch wasn't going to get away that easily. Her hand shot out, and grabbed a handful of Sakura's hair. Syaoran cried out, his mind racing on a way to free her.

******

" Sir, aren't you the least bit hungry?" The old woman offered me a piece of bread.
" No, no. I'm perfectly fine." I dismissed it," What I am craving, is for you to finish your tale!"
" It's late. We should be retiring to our rooms now. Tomorrow will be a very busy day."

I begged profusely, and would have fallen on hand and knee, had she not simply dismissed my pleading and walked calmly up the stairs. After this experience, I didn't believe I would ever leave another crowd in suspense for the rest of my life. It took a couple of mugs to center my thoughts. I was a bard. With a few more swigs, I moved towards the back where my room was. Laying down in my bed, I stared up at the ceiling, wondering in my mind what happened. Suddenly, I heard a soft sniffling. It was coming from across the hall, the old woman's room. After a great deal of hesitation, I left my quarters and knocked on her door. No one answered. Slowly, but loud enough so she knew I was there, I opened the door. I stole a peek inside, and found her bed to empty. Someone was huddled on the windowsill, and it was that person who was crying. I walked slowly up to this person, and put my hand on their shoulder. They tore around, and I saw it was a girl no older then 17. She had golden brown hair, and deep green eyes. She panicked, and started to back away, at which I protested.

" Pardon me, lady. I did not realize you occupied this room. Could you perhaps tell me what became of the old woman who no more then an hour before occupied this same dwelling?"
" I am she."

That was impossible, and I made that very clear.

" Lady, you could not be the lady I am referring to. She is more then 7 times your age."
" I am she." The poor girl insisted. " I am she who has been relating the tale to you."

I gasped. Only the old woman and I had been aware of this tale at the time.

" What has become of you?" I couldn't help, but stutter.
" To explain, I would need to continue my story." She whispered.

******

I had felt a sharp pain in the back of my head. I hear voices, muffled, and I saw little of what insued. But, the events later as I'd strengthened, would changed my life forever...

" You're out of options, Syaoran." Cherese grinned.
"..."

Syaoran looked about desperately. Drat, why couldn't he have a sword handy? Oh, what to do, what to do..he looked down at the precious angel he held in his arms...at the black onyx rose around her neck. Suddenly, it began to glow...

" What the devil..."

Syaoran was tempted to yank it off, but something kept him from doing so, a feeling that the necklace would not harm Sakura in anyway. As the light grew brighter, a pair of barely translucent hands stretched from within the little gem. As a body appeared, a pair of shimmering wings fluttered. The little see-through woman within the necklace yawned, then looked around.

" Who's love has awakened me?"

Syaoran was speechless. This was all a little too much for him.

" Who's love has awakened me from my slumber?"
" Who are you?"
" I am the Jinn of the Onyx Rose. I was placed there by a witch, and was cursed to remain there until the day two of true love's faith awakened me from my sleep, after which I would grant them my blessing to and receive my freedom. I ask again, who's love has awakened my slumber?"
" Ours." Cherese grabbed Syaoran's arm.
" What?!!" Syaoran turned disgusted.
" Then, let me give you my blessings..."
" No!"

The Jinn turned around to see a wobbly Sakura, bleeding as she was, standing up defiantly.

" Who is this that dare interfere with my ceremony?"
" I am Sakura...Kinomoto...and I..."
" Silence!!! You dare try to break the ties of love between these two? To return me back to the rose? I will not allow it."
" There's been a misunderstanding...I'm not..."
" You are an evil being. And for that you must be punished!"

Sakura glanced in terror at Syaoran, who was doing his best to unwind himself from within Cherese's coils.

" SAKURA!!!"
" You are cursed!" The Jinn waved her hands," You will be sent far away from these two, so you can never bother them..you will also suffer the spell of the OLD. As each day passes, you will grow older and grayer, but never die, forever wracked with the guilt of your doings! Only your true love's faith can save you, but that seems rather slim. Now, leave us!"

Cherese looked about ready to kiss the Jinn. Sakura in the meantime, nearly collapsed with pain and shock. Syaoran looked desperately towards Sakura, and as he ran toward her, she began to disappear, and soon was gone. Only the onyx rose remained. Syaoran collapsed to his knees. Meanwhile, the Jinn looked perfectly satisfied with herself. She'd saved a happily ever after...

" She will never come between you two again."
" Yeah!!!!" Cherese squealed.
" NO!" Syaoran cried out in anguish.

" Don't worry, little one, she did not deserve your pity." The Jinn replied softly to Syaoran.

He turned and looked up at her venomously.

" What kind of Jinn are you? To be so STUPID not to see?!!!!!"
" I just saved you..." The Jinn replied indignantly.
" You have just condemned me eternal damnation with HER!" Syaoran spouted angrily.
" I don't understand..."
" You are not a Jinn. You are a fraud, an imbecile of your kind! To not be able to see my love for Sakura, which was so pure and obvious. You're a disgrace!!! Now look at the mess you've made." Death was in Syaoran's eyes.
" Don't listen to him," Cherese smiled," I'm happy. That's all that counts."
" My first and last chance." The Jinn's eyes widened," A failure. I have failed..."

Syaoran in the mean time could have cared less for the Jinn. That idiot woman had sent his beloved away to be cursed forever. He would never forgive the spirit...never!

" There is no need to leave." The Jinn replied softly.
" You're advice, as far as I am concerned, is worth less to me then that filthy snake." Syaoran spat.
" I know. I am offering no advice. I merely tell you, that where I sent her, it is hopeless for you to find. Only of her own free will, can she ever return. And only by remaining faithful to her can her spell ever be broken. I am truly sorry..."
" SORRY?!!!" Syaoran sighed in revulsion. Wasn't it bad enough with Cherese?
" I do not deserve to live, therefore I shall not. It would be just punishment for the crime I have just committed."
" That's not going to bring Sakura back..."
" I tell you this. That she at this point has no hope of returning. But, should she wish to return, she will be subjugated to a harsh series of tests. And if she completes these tests, she will receive a sign, a hint of sorts to tell her that she can return to you in peace and the spell will be broken. But, you must remain faithful through that time, or you'll never see each other again. When the spell is broken, all will return back to this date, to this time."
" And what of Cherese?"
" She tricked me. She is the evil soul. Should Sakura ever return, I believe she will take up the punishment she so deserves..."

Suddenly, Syaoran saw a spot of blood. The Jinn smiled...she was bleeding.

" What's going on?"
" After this, I do not deserve to remain in this world. I have been awakened only to cause pain. I can not live with that knowledge."
" You didn't know...it's no reason to die over."
" You are so simple...so innocent. You do not understand. But, there is no need for you to worry. Go...to bed and dream of the day your love returns...Go..."
" Wait. How will I know her?"
" Wait by the moonlight. You will know then."

With that, the Jinn disappeared.

******

" So, the Jinn cursed you, that's why you're like this?"
" Yes," The girl, Sakura, said bitterly.
" Good lord...what became of the Jinn?"
" I don't know. But, I have to get back to Syaoran."
" Do you know how to break the spell?"
" No." She sighed," Oh, if only you knew what I'd been through...all these years, anticipating the day I return to my love."
" And what if he's old...and grey?"
" Then we shall die together I suppose..."
" How? You said the Jinn cursed you with immortality."

I realized I had said too much. Sakura turned back to the window, sorrowfully.

" Forgive me, lady, I've upset you."
" No, you spoke the truth." Sakura continued to gaze out the window," I wonder how I can get back to my Syaoran..."
" Hmm...I believe I have an idea..."

We sat up the rest of the night, confiding my plans to her. She seemed ultimately pleased with the idea. I was as well. An ending in the story, that included myself. What a wonderful story this would make! I returned to my room with a lighter heart. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day.

******

The last chapter coming soon! Keep looking for it.