Sakura didn't sleep well that night. Her dreams were haunted by long forgotten memories and of Ryo. She woke up twice in a cold sweat. Kero and White Blaze did their best to comfort her, but they were of little help. What she really needed, was Ryo, and he couldn't come inside for fear if being seen. Sakura finally managed to fall asleep and woke up early the next morning. She got dressed all the while staring at the fake amulet she had made the night before as if it would disappear any minute. Once she was fully dressed she grabbed a chain and threaded it through a tiny hole at the top of the amulet. She then slipped in into her back pocket and went down stairs. She was unusually quiet all morning, which didn't go unnoticed by Dais and Anubis who knew what she was planning. They also had a job to do that day as well. If Sakura was going to get Seriyu into a relaxed state, they needed to get everyone out of the house, but keep a close watch on them just the same. After lunch, Sakura and Anubis cleaned dishes.
"So when do you want to try for the switch?" he asked quietly. Sakura glanced over at Seriyu.
"As soon as possible." she replied. Anubis nodded in acknowledgment and he and Anubis created a ruse to get everyone out of the house. As they left, Anubis snuck away from the group and went to where Ryo had spent the night.
"Come on, Sakura's going to make the switch soon and I'd prefer it if we kept on eye on her." Anubis said.
"I agree, you never know what that jerk might pull!" Ryo agreed as they quietly hid in the bushed outside the living room window.
"You look tense." Sakura commented to Seriyu once everyone had left.
"Yeah, my shoulders hurt a bit, I think I slept on them wrong, or something." He complained as he rolled his shoulders. Sakura smiled.
"Come over to the couch." She said persuasively. Seriyu got up and did as he was told. Sakura moved to the back of the couch and started to massage his shoulders. Seriyu sighed as the muscles in his shoulders relaxed. Sakura smiled as she quickly palmed the fake amulet in one of her hands. She continued the massage slowly moving her hands toward his collarbone. Seriyu sighed as Sakura slowly maneuvered her hand toward the chain that held the black amulet. She had just switched them when she felt a vise like grip on her wrist. Seriyu instantly jumped off the couch twisting Sakura's arm around her back. Sakura cried out in pain as she dropped the amulet.
"How stupid do you think I am?" he hissed in her ear. Ryo and Anubis burst through the door at that minute as Seriyu glared at the two men.
"Let her go!" Ryo said threateningly.
"Not a chance!" Seriyu shot back.
"How did you know?" Anubis asked.
"Well, it's kinda obvious when you get a call from your servants telling you that the prisoner escaped. Then when Sakura started covertly avoiding me I got another clue. But the main reason I knew was because I followed her last night and saw her with Ryo. That was when I put the pieces together." He said sarcastically. Ryo stepped forward menacingly, but Seriyu just pulled on Sakura's arm harder causing her to wince. Ryo stopped and Seriyu smiled evilly.
"Good idea. The closer you get, the more she gets hurt." Seriyu threatened. Sakura reached behind her in an attempt to grab Seriyu when grabbed her other arm.
"What do you want?" Sakura asked.
"The same thing I've always wanted." Seriyu said.
"And what would that be?" Ryo asked.
"Well, I don't know myself." Seriyu replied.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Anubis asked annoyed.
"He wants what's under father's throne!" Sakura blurted as realization dawned on her face.
"Very nice, I'm impressed that you would remember, although I guess after what happened there you wouldn't forget." Seriyu said his voice dripping with cruel intent.
"How could I?" Sakura asked bitterly.
"Under the throne?" Ryo asked confused.
"Under my fathers throne in the castle is a trap door. My father hid something, even I don't know what, under there and we were forbidden to go near it." Sakura explained.
"And only someone from the direct blood line of Talpa can get through the door. Anyone else dies instantly." Anubis added.
"Well, anyways, I learned from my mistake last time! I need you to get under that throne." Seriyu said as he jerked her arm. "You're coming with me!"
"Not today!" Ryo said as he charged at Seriyu. Seriyu tossed Sakura to the side as he warded off Ryo's blow. The two set about the fight as Anubis rushed to Sakura's side. He helped her to her feet.
"Anubis! The amulet" she said pointing to the glittering object on the floor. Seriyu noticed Anubis movement as he shoved Ryo away. Ryo fell to the floor as Seriyu struck Anubis' hand and snatched up the amulet. He held it up triumphantly as Sakura tackled him in the stomach. He fell to the ground with a thud sending the amulet skittering across the floor. Ryo managed to swipe it up and waited for the heartbeats to sound as one.
"Conversion!" he shouted as a blinding flash lit the room. Anubis and Sakura shielded their eyes until the light faded.
"Ryo?" Sakura asked looking at the man she had tackled before. Ryo looked at where he had been standing and saw a dazed Seriyu.
"Yeah, it's me." He said as Sakura hugged him tightly.
"I'm so glad your back" she whispered as Ryo returned her hug.