"Sakura, I know that you're in there." Ryo said trying to get close to her. "Come on; remember all the things we've gone through?" He pleaded with her to remember. Sakura shook her head fighting the memories that Aria had banished. She caught a glimpse of one.
(Flashback)
She was standing on a rock in the middle of the river staring at a young boy with black hair and stunning blue eyes. He lowered his sword and inched toward her
She turned and ran.
"Wait!" he called after her.
(End Flashback)
Sakura clutched her head. 'No, I have a job to do, I can't be distracted.' And with a firm resolve Sakura pushed the thoughts away. Her now violet eyes flashed dangerously. Ryo noticed that Sakura's eyes turned into their original golden color for a flickering moment before turning violet again. He was getting through, but she was fighting hard. Or rather, Aria's magic was fighting hard. He'd have to do something big to make her remember. Then it hit him. He knew exactly what he was going to do. Getting into a fighting stance he faced Sakura. Aria, still standing across from him on top of the building smiled.
"He knows there is no other choice but to kill her now." She said to Alanna who had come to the town. She really didn't know why she came, but she wanted to do something to help. Alanna watched the scene unfolding before her. Sakura slightly weak from her wound was in a fighting stance. She wasn't going to lose.
"I see that you're finally ready to face your fate." Sakura said as she rushed at Ryo.
Ryo blocked her attack. They both swung their swords with such force that they were knocked out of their hands each left weaponless. Ryo and Sakura glared and locked hands pushing against each other. Ryo now had her where he wanted her. He looked into her angry violet eyes and leaned in.
"I love you, Sakura!" and with that he kissed her passionately on the lips. Sakura's head exploded with memories. There was the first time she met Ryo, the first time they fought as enemies, the time she saved him from the fire, the time he slapped her to make sure she would be safe, their first kiss. Sakura broke the kiss and knelt on the ground holding her head screaming. Each force in her head was vying for control. Aria's magic was trying desperately to gain back her mind while her memories and feelings for Ryo struggled to get back to their rightful place. Sakura screamed in agony as her head felt like it was going to explode. She fought hard against Aria's magic. Aria was on top the building was seething with rage and fighting to regain control of Sakura's mind. "I will not lose!" she yelled. Alanna looked on trembling unsure what to do.
"Ryo" Sakura gasped. "Get away before Aria's magic takes control of me again."
"No, I won't leave you." Ryo said bending down next to her. He looked into her eyes. They were a mixture of violet and gold. She was trying. He grabbed her hand and held on tightly. "I promise, I'll never leave you."
Sakura screamed as a blinding light surrounded them. Suddenly Ryo was in the Armor of the Inferno. Sakura in the white off the shoulders dress. Ryo took hold of both her hands and looked at her. Sakura screamed again as the magic and her memories fought for a place in her head. Ryo leaned in and held her close.
"Fight it Sakura. Fight it." He said as he leaned in and gave her another heartfelt kiss as he wrapped his arms around her pulling her close. Sakura struggled in his arms and then slowly returned his kiss wrapping her arms around him. Aria screamed in rage.
"NO! I won't lose, I won't I wo…" she stopped as blinding light of the Armor of the Inferno blasted her.
Sakura and Ryo broke their kiss and looked at each other, Ryo gazing into her once again golden eyes. Sakura had beaten Aria's magic. Ryo hugged Sakura to him tightly. Now that she was back in his arms he wasn't ever going to let her out of his sight again. Alanna silently approached from behind them accompanied by Kero and Talon. She held out the eight crystals containing their friends.
"Here," she said quietly. "Aria disappeared in that blast of light. These are the crystals containing the souls of your friends." Ryo took them and looked at Sakura.
"Don't worry," she said reassuringly. "I know what to do."
