Forever Branded6 Interlude Forever Branded
Chapter 6
By Hippoclymae

Okay, for those of you who want an explanation for the disappearance of my past chapters, I have none. I will try to find the originals and place them back in for your reading enjoyment once again. I apologize for not checking sooner. If you've just tuned in, don't worry, I'll have the first chapters up again in no time so you can get a background. Again, I apologize for the mysterious events.
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" Well?" Marckas growled.
" Master, it seems that your spy has returned."
" And?"
" The plan has failed due to the short-temper and envy plaguing her."
" UGH!" Marckas groaned," Never send a woman..."
" What shall I do with her?"
" Lock her up for now. She may have disappointed me the first time, but she may be of use later."
" Yes, sir..."
" Oh, and Cecil?"
" Yes?"
" Make sure this conversation is not made known."
" I understand."
______

" Come on, Sakura...wake up!" Syaoran shook Sakura frantically.
"...huh?" Sakura's voice was hoarse, and soft.
" We have to get going. The bogs are quiet, everything's asleep, we should try to get as far as we can, before the predators wake up."
" O...kay." Her throat was sore and dry, each syllable broken.
" Come on..." He kneeled down, and encircled one arm around her shoulder, giving her support.

They were tired, dirty, hungry, and lost. Sakura's neck injury was healing, but her voice was a different story. She could not speak above a low whisper, and even then, she winced every other word. And worst off, she still bled, a thin trickle running down her chin as she spoke.

" Don't worry, Sakura," Syaoran walked slowly as he supported her, talking to comfort her.

But, Sakura listened only partially. She was still disturbed by Timdes' proclamation. She sniffed at herself, hateful of the painful, broken speech that was now her voice, remembering the beautiful melodies she once sang, which would scratch any ear horribly if she tried to sing now. She realized then, how truthful Timdes' could have been. He could love her because she was perfect, she wasn't mute. What could she, one who was condemned to talk like an old woman, provide him? And that horrendous scar, curse that blemish. She'd seen the way he'd grimmaced at its sight, how it always seemed to push him away. Suddenly, she stumbled, and fell to her knees, unable to travel any longer without sufficient food. Suddenly, she felt liquid trickle down her throat. She coughed involuntarily, and watched in disgust as the blood continued to dribble. Oh, how sickening. She would live to be an old maid, she thought sadly.

Syaoran was alarmed, as Sakura suddenly pounded her fists against the floors, and sobbed hard. He tried to help her, but she moved away, crying into her hands. He stood off to the side, and sighed. Something was really bothering her, and even though she probably didn't mean to, she hurt him deeply, pushing him away from her innermost. She reached for her locket, and opened it, and again Syaoran felt that twinge of jealousy, watching that little shadow figure kissing Sakura. It pained him to see her hope rise at the little figure, and the fact that, that little figure was her destined one. The figure held himself so regally, that Syaoran could almost bet it would be a Prince. Suddenly, she shut the locket. Her eyes were twitching back and forth nervously, and she rushed to Syaoran, looking to him for answers.

" What is it?"
" Ri...ders..." She buried her face in his tunic, trying to ignore the sound, shaking her head and murmurring," No...not....true...mis...take..."
" Don't worry, Sakura," He reassured," I'm sure its just your...."

The word imagination was cut short, as Syaoran picked up the unmistakeable sound of hoofbeats. Many hooves.

" What now?" Syaoran released Sakura, and turned around, looking for the source of the sound.

He hadn't long to wait. Six riders burst from the wilderness, heading for them with ropes twirling. Syaoran pulled out his golden staff, and readied for battle. They circled him warily, as if to get a feel for his fighting skills, then one of them tossed the rope. ZIP! Syaoran blinked as he realized he'd just been lassoed. He tried to struggle, but the rider tugged heartily. Sakura came to his rescue. She grabbed a glob of marsh mud, and chucked it at the horse. In a panic, the beast reared up. But, the rider wasn't stupid. His knees clenched tighter against the horse's side, and he continued to hold the rope. But, now the other 5 riders began to trot towards Sakura, judging her to threaten their hold.

" Run, Sakura!" Syaoran screamed desperately.

She ignored him, her adrenaline pumping, fear and anger interweaving in her system: anger at Timdes, Marckas, herself, all of it mixing dangerous chemical hormones in her system. She turned slightly, and looked for a weapon. The staff. It lay half buried in the mud, where Syaoran had dropped it. The riders took no notice. She breathed steadily, keeping a straight poker face so as they couldn't read her emotions...then...NOW! She raced out, and grabbed it where it lay, rolling aside as a pair of flailing hooves missed her. She managed to get upright, holding the staff threateningly. The rider closest laughed.

" Pitiful, little, whelp!" The rider hissed," You are no match for us!"

She ignored their comments, and circled carefully towards Syaoran. But, the rider was not stupid, he reached out, and tried to grab the stick, only to receive a good thrash from it across his helmet. It fell off, and Sakura was shocked to see...nothing? A guttural scream escaped as she backed off in horror. The headless figure only laughed, echoing across the marshes.