Thank you Silex for those corrections. ^ ^
I did change to pardonnez-moi, but I would like to make one small note,
and that is that Ms. Kinomoto is not French. Her use of 'beau' was the
English adaptation meaning 'escort' or in a more romantic sense ' lover'.
However, I do also thank you for catching that, for if Ms. Kinomoto had
been French, that would have been a silly mistake indeed. ^ ^
Don't you just 'love' it when languages borrow words all over the place?
I know the last chapter wasn't very eventful, but I didn't want to speed through the days they were on board. Now, comes the start of the excitement... It is Sunday, April 14, 1912...
******
Bruce J. Ismay was tired. And worried. And when he was worried, he drank.
And when he drank, he lost sleep. And when he lost sleep, he grew irritable.
He glanced at his watch for the thirtieth time that night. They weren't
going to make the deadline if the ship didn't pick up some speed. Again,
he stood beside the helmsman, rubbing his hands together against the increasing
cold, and looking at the speedometer.
" Can't we just move a little bit quicker, sir?" He said finally.
" You've asked me that three times, sir," The helmsman replied," But,
like I said, it is too dangerous in these waters. There are icebergs everywhere,
and if we're not careful, we'll crash."
Ismay sighed in disgust, thinking, ' If we don't pick up speed, more than the ship is going to crash. What about my reputation? What about all the money?'
The helmsman checked his own pocketwatch, and carefully excused himself from the bridge. He needed a drink, badly. As he crossed down from the bridge, he shivered. Traveling through these waters was very dangerous. That Ismay was so much a daredevil, it was a wonder any of the White Star ships made it anywhere in one piece. As he passed the communication room, he took a moment to drop the comms officer a visit. There was no one there.
" Stupid fool. How are we going to get through safely if that imbecile isn't listening for warnings?"
The officer made a note to talk to the captain about this lapse. Little did he know he would never get the chance...
******
A shadowy figure slunk towards forward cabins. His accomplice was...in dispose at the moment. Looks like he'd have to take care of things. As he moved towards the forward compartments, he slunk into the shadows as someone whistled towards him. Looking around, he realized that the voice was getting closer. With a sudden determination, the figure reached out and snatched the approaching gentleman, knocking him unconscious. Exchanging clothes, he made a decision, tossing the body overboard.
" Hmm," He looked at the nametag," Commander Terence, helmsman. Interesting."
As he entered the bridge, a voice interrupted his thoughts.
" There you are helmsman! Now, I demand that you increase the speed of the ship, or we will not make it to port on schedule!"
The disguised man frowned. If they didn't make it to the port on time, he wouldn't make his delivery.
" Of course, sir."
Mr. Ismay grinned.
" I knew you'd see it my way."
******
" Did you enjoy yourself today, Sakura?"
Ms. Kinomoto smiled at Sakura's shy nod.
" That boy Syaoran has been paying you a great compliment in singling you out," Ms. Kinomoto grinned slyly," Do you suppose, when we get to port, I can expect a certain announcement of a special nature?"
Sakura blushed. Syaoran probably had things to do in America. Things that would automatically cut her out of the picture. Suddenly, there was a rap at the door. Ms. Kinomoto answered, and backed away in surprise.
" Mr. Harkins!"
The man smiled. He was wearing a boat uniform. Suddenly, a gun leveled at them.
" Good day, Ms. Kinomoto. Or, should I say, Ms. Winterspeggin?"
Ms. Kinomoto frowned, and Sakura clutched her surrogate mother fearfully.
" Milady, how does he know your name?"
" Au contraire, foolish girl. Who doesn't know your mistress's name?
She is the richest lady within the English county." He smiled a look of
pure malice," but, I believe you have something I want!"
Sakura looked from him to Ms. Kinomoto. Suddenly, the ship lurched. Peter Harkins looked up sharply.
" What was that?"
Sakura took this moment to run and kick him. Doubling over he groaned as she grabbed her Mistress's hand and made a run towards the door. Luckily, Tomoyo was with Eriol, so she was in no danger. Sakura just managed to push her mistress through the doorway, when a hand slammed it shut. Peter Harkins huffed a disgusted groan, then grinned as he blocked the door.
" Come with me, little miss. You're my bargaining ticket out of here."
******
Ms. Kinomoto ran down the hall, until she spotted an officer.
" Sir, sir!"
" Ah, madam. Do not be alarmed! Here!" He handed her a lifejacket.
" Sir?"
" You need to get to the nearest lifeboat."
When she started towards the other direction, he took her by the hand and forced her towards the exit. She protested.
" Please, sir. Wait!"
" No time madam. I suggest you hurry."
Suddenly, she saw Syaoran out of the corner of her eye. He was being led towards the lifeboats as well, but his eyes were wandering about the ship.
" It's you!" She rushed towards Syaoran, touching his shoulder," You must go back, sir! Sakura's still trapped in the cabins with that mad man!"
Syaoran blinked.
" WHAT?"
Ms. Kinomoto rushed through a quick explanation of what happened. Syaoran turned as she stopped, running past the busy officers loading people.
******
Sakura was putting up a fight of her own. Every manner of furniture and dishware pummeled Mr. Harkins, as he tried to grab her. He growled beneath his breath, and his hand shot out to snatch at her shirt collar.
" Cease this stupidity!"
She hurled another dish at him, which he ducked. He raised his voice threateningly.
" YOU WILL COME WITH ME, GIRL!"
" And what if she won't?"
Sakura gave a cry of joy as she saw Syaoran standing calmly in the entrance, his pistol drawn. Peter Harkins only laughed, taking a step towards Sakura, who backed away. Syaoran cocked his weapon.
" Another step, SIR, and you'll wish they'd never created the Royal Academy of Arms!"
Sakura reached behind her, fingers searching for something to throw. Her hands clasped around something cold, and she heard the soft clink of metal. Peter Harkins's eyes widened, and he lunged at her. She drew up her arms in defense, only to hear a gunshot, followed by the sound of a body hitting the floor. Arms wrapped around her, and she lashed out, only to hear a soft reassuring voice.
" Miss Sakura. It's me."
Peter Harkin's was no more. A trail of blood ran from the back of his head to the floor. She felt Syaoran tug her towards the door. The pistol lay forgotten on the floor as the ran for their lives.
" Wait. Syaoran, where are we going?"
" We need to ge to a lifeboat! Didn't you hear? The ship struck an
iceberg." His face grew grave," The ship's sinking."
******
Syaoran looked desperately, and saw a lifeboat half full of passengers
and quickly filling. He pushed Sakura towards the boat, and watched from
the railing as she was loaded aboard. Sakura blinked.
" Syaoran?"
" Goodbye, Sakura." He said softly.
Sakura turned around anxiously.
" What's going on?"
" Didn't you know?" The lady beside her murmured," The men go last.
All women and children first."
Sakura felt her heart drop into her stomach. Looking around she pushed her way to the edge, her eyes never leaving the boy staring solemnly at her.
' I love you.' He mouthed softly.
She felt tears fall, as she watched his figure grow smaller. Suddenly, she heard struggling from beside her.
" NO, JACK!"
A lady with semi-curly brown blond hair leapt from the boat towards the side. From above she saw a young man cry out in alarm, and rush away. No, she couldn't leave.
Much to Syaoran's alarm, he saw Sakura take a running leap.
" SAKURA!"
Her hands just touched the railing of the second level deck. But, she felt her grip slip, and with a spark of energy clambered over the side, tumbling back onto the deck. She turned back around, in time to see Syaoran dashing down the stairs.
" Sakura! You need to get back onto that boat! It's your only chance."
She didn't answer, only wrapped her arms around his neck kissing him soundly. His grip around her waist tightened in surprise. As she pulled away, she smiled into his confused eyes.
" I will never leave you." She said firmly.
******
Ms. Kinomoto scanned the other boats for signs of Sakura or Syaoran. Tomoyo
she'd seen in one of the boats, but Eriol, Sakura, and Syaoran were nowhere
to be seen. Her boat had left only a third full, and she sat watching as
the ship sank into the briny deep. Suddenly, she heard loud cracks, like
guns being fired.
" What's that?"
" The hull is buckling in the middle. it's going to break in half."
Ms. Kinomoto turned in horror.
" But, all those people will be crushed!"
*****
Sakura rushed beside Syaoran as they navigated the hallways. It seemed
as though they were climbing up a mountain, because the floor appeared
to be sloping upwards.
" The bottom half must have flooded! Our ends rising into the air as the second half sinks! We'll need to get off!"
They exited at the next out door, and looked downward, Sakura felt her face grow pale. Down below, hundreds of people were dropping to the ocean below. As she stepped out, she felt herself tumble towards the far end.
" SYAORAN!"
His hand snaked out and tightened around hers, as they tumbled towards the churning water. Suddenly, she felt them jolt to a stop.
" Syaoran?"
" It's all right."
He gripped the railing, watching the water bubbling towards them slowly. Around them, people desperately reached out to grab hold of anything to stop from falling. Sakura buried her face in Syaoran's coat, blocking out the sounds of terror from all around. Suddenly, she heard his reassuring voice against her ear.
" On the count of three, we're going to drop into the water. Swim as hard as you can...UNDERSTAND?"
She nodded, and suddenly she felt herself falling.
The sharpness of the bitter cold water caught her by surprise. Her mouth opened, and more water poured in. Closing her mouth, she swam towards the surface, feeling an irresistable pull at her feet, and her muscles growing sluggish as the water stiffened them. As her breath began to wane, a strong arm pulled her upwards, and she broke through the surface, feeling someone urging her forward. She swam some distance, before her arm was propped onto something that drifted, and a familiar pair of golden brown eyes glowed through the darkness.
" Are you well?"
She shivered and nodded.
CRACK!
Syaoran gave a warning cry as a shadow fell over them. The ship was cracking!
*****
Yes. I stuck Jack and Rose from the movie in for a cameo appearance (and yeah, I know that isn't exactly how the story went, but I couldn't remember what Rose did after she jumped off, so I faked it. Sorry. Don't flame me. I'm not going to waste time fowarding through two hours of movie just to find that one scene....) Don't worry though, this fic isn't bittersweet. I'm completely up for sugar!