Hunting Emerald's Secret
Chapter 7: Burning affections
--- Authors Comment: ---
Hey! I am back again! So far so good with my exams... I was surprised at how many reviews I got! Whoa! Thank you so much!!! ^o^ Just to answer a few questions: About the pendant Nadeshiko had given to Sakura, I can't really say, sorry ^^;...
This story was taken from my mind, at least I think. I read the reviews and one said that it looked like sailor moon's, I have watched the show, but can't seem to remember that episode. Anyway it must have come unconsciously, I guess ^^; I got inspired by watching many movies and anime and reading books, but none in special.
I thought about doing a story, I really didn't want to get in the trouble of creating new characters so I thought about doing a fan-fiction with the things that I like the most: A lot of action with loads of adventure and romance at the same time. A reality and mixed up crazy and wild adventure that would apparently never happen to a teen... A little bit of drama (not much cause I hate it! T.T) humor, mystery, suspense... With my favorite anime series.
Oh and another thing, I have new ideas for other stories, though I think that will wait cause I actually have to finish this one. Enough about me... on with the story!!!!!
--- ---
Please... Don't let go... Hold me tight... Don't leave me alone...
The words suddenly echoed through Syaoran's mind. Her head was resting against his chest, her eyes were starting to water and her heart was beating rapidly. He could hear it, just like her sobs. He started feeling strange, he felt his cheeks burn like fire. He didn't react at first.
Sakura started shedding down tears. She had never ever felt this afraid in her entire life. She had felt alone, had lost all hope, and was about to die... She could feel his heart beat faster as each second went by, and felt him move his arms. Was he trying to pull her away? 'How cruel can he be? ' she thought. She probably had chosen the worst thing to do, but what could she do? He moved his arms... only to bind them around Sakura's little shivering body, pulling her even nearer to him, resting his head on top of hers.
" Don't worry... I'll never let you go... Never. " he huskily whispered trying to comfort her. Sakura's eyes widened at the sensation she was experimenting. Was she dreaming?
He couldn't stand seeing her this way; there was only one thing that he couldn't situate, and that was seeing a girl cry. Maybe there was something more to that old cold stoned heart that he had...
Sakura now was sure that she never wanted to leave him: she felt secure. Soon she forgot everything and calmed down. ' There is something different about him... I just can't place my finger on it... ' she thought.
" That's better... I would hate to have my favorite shirt wet " he teased. Sakura started to get mad, but instead giggled surprising him. ' Why are you acting like this? ' she asked herself; now looking at his eyes to find that they were looking back at her.
But eventually this peace fell apart with one gunshot. Sakura gasped as she heard it, Syaoran in instinct pulled her close to him, shielding her. The bullet hit him right in the arm. He breathed in a stinging pain, as it started raising his body. Blood began to flow out. Sakura gaped in shock, still under his protection. She saw hurt in his eyes, not his face. But something more surprised her; he winked at her and... smiled?
Unexpectedly she fell to the ground, feeling her whole body numb. She saw him turn around, taking his gun out and shooting back. ' What's going on? ' she tried to ask. She felt helpless... useless. Like a fragile doll: she couldn't move, couldn't hear, couldn't talk, she mouthed words that had no meaning. ' Li, what did you do to me?! '
Syaoran started fighting again, held back by his arm. More men were coming. ' Shit, how the hell am I going to get out of this one ' He thought for a while. An idea came to him: he grabbed Sakura's frozen body, wincing from the throbbing in his arm. Softly bent it and jumped through the hole to land in the first floor. It was empty. Sakura's body once again recovered life.
" What happened? " she asked in confusion, sighing in relief that she was back to normal.
" I'll explain later... " he said dropping her down, " Grab the cell phone from my pocket and dial *544. Then close it."
She nodded, found it and dialed. Then closed it, returning it back.
" Are you ok? " she asked concerned looking at his wound.
" Yeah " he said gripping his arm. Sakura searched his eyes for the truth. He was obviously lying.
" You have to get away from here as fast as possible, " he ordered.
" But... what about yourself? " she asked.
" Don't worry, I can take care of myself, " he answered.
" But..."
" YOU IDIOT, GO NOW BEFORE THEY GET YOU " he yelled. Sakura had no other choice. She opened the door.
--- Outside ---
The day had become a cold night; there was no sun, only a full moon. Crickets chirped in harmony along the silence. Only the moon lit the path that Sakura had to take, but there was no path, no sign of houses or streets. Trees stayed motionless for there was no wind. Not a racket from the cars in a traffic jam could be heard. Sakura started running, removed the jacket from her waist and placed it on. She went as fast as she could scamper. Her breathing became heavy and her legs started to hurt. She could hear her feet in the grass, making sounds from stepping over the dry leaves. ' Why is it taking me this long? Oh that's right... Li is way faster than me ' she realized already panting. She was good at sports, but for some reason she couldn't run right. ' Hasn't the wound on my ankle already healed? ' she thought. But something interrupted her.
She began listening to other footsteps behind her. She stopped. Nothing. ' Must have been my imagination ' She continued, but heard them once more, accompanied by another intense breathing. She stopped again; a faint crunching of leaves assured her that someone was at the back. She turned around and found no one. She turned back in the direction she was running and screamed.
--- Syaoran ---
Syaoran started kicking and hitting with all his might. He knew that Sakura would soon be in danger if they found out, and she couldn't fight by herself. ' What's taking them so long?!? ' he thought as he easily evaded and counterattacked. His arm still hurt and detained him, but he wasn't going to give up, was he? He knew that once he started something, he had to finish it. He wasn't ready to give up, yet.
--- Eriol and Tomoyo ---
" Hey, I'm really getting worried sick of those two " Tomoyo said taking a glance at her watch. Eriol squeezed her hand.
" Haven't they called? I'm sure that Li would tell us if they are in trouble or something... " he said.
" Let me check " she took out her cell phone and gasped. " Oh no! The battery is dead "
Eriol cursed, he had forgotten his cell phone in his house. Now what? He knew that this way they would never find Sakura and Syaoran.
--- Sakura ---
" Don't do that to me! " Sakura said and sighed when she encountered Saori.
" Sorry " she apologized giggling. Sakura gazed at all the cats surrounding her.
" It's okay, anyway why did you get out? We haven't told you that it's safe. " she asked.
" I got scared to be in the house with that guy, " she confessed making Sakura smile.
' That guy... why hasn't he come back yet? He should be by now " she began to get worried. For him? ' What an absurd idea, Sakura! How can I possibly get concerned for him... when he is always so cold hearted and hot-headed! He shouldn't deserve to be treated like that... but then again, what just happened... was it real? ' she wondered as Saori stared at her with confusion.
" Did he mean it? " she reflected speaking. Saori blinked at her.
" Who? " she asked. Sakura looked into her pale blue eyes.
--- Back to Syaoran ---
Syaoran couldn't hold any longer, every time he defeated some, supplementary men came, outnumbering him; that would have been okay if he wasn't hurt and didn't have to worry about Sakura. 'Wait a sec... Why am I doing this for her? ' he asked as he gasped for breath. He was out of bullets and out of energy. ' Why haven't they come? I'm going to kill them! ' he continued thinking, waiting for the next pack of men to arrive.
But by now a lot of blood had come out, and he was definitely loosing it. He was starting to get dizzy; his body almost felt frozen from the pain and his arm was of no use. He rested his back against the door. One choice was to run for it, but then Sakura's life would be in danger, he just had to stick with the second: stay and die miserably. He would never surrender the vesper to them... and would never plea for mercy: this was it. He suddenly heard as footsteps were approaching him. He took his fighting pose ready to attack. He could sense it come closer... and closer... now passing the door. His fist started moving forward...
" AHHH! " he recognized the voice and stopped right on Sakura's nose. " DON'T DO THAT! YOU SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME! " she exclaimed.
" WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!? ARE YOU AN IDIOT!? " he asked yelling.
" NO! YOU SEEM TO BE THE ONE... " she answered yelling back. ' Great! I come to help him, and this is the way he treats me ' she sarcastically thought.
She got closer, her face inches away from his. Both of her cheeks slightly pink. She was ready to yell for his stupid plans, but Sakura noticed that he made a lot of effort to keep his eyes open, even though he glared at her. She heaved a sigh counting to ten, (It really helps!) and tore a part from the bottom of her shirt. He watched in bewilderment as Sakura finished and stared at him. He saw that she was choosing whether to do or not what she had in mind. He got the picture and nodded. She carefully bandaged his arm making a knot at the end.
" Look, lets just find a way to get out of here and get rid of them " she said in a much calmer tone, " Saori is waiting for us in the streets "
" What?! " but before Syaoran could reply any longer, a punch came from the back. They had forgotten to keep alert. Luckily Syaoran avoided it by dodging.
" Let's go up, " he said pulling her toward the stairs.
They entered a room and closed the door. Syaoran dropped to his knees.
" Oh no! Are you ok? " she asked bending down to him.
" Yeah " he said still clutching his arm. His eyes almost closed now. The bandage had stopped the bleeding, but as I already said too much blood had already come out. She could even smell it faintly. ' I have to do something... Look for anything that might be useful '
Standing up she searched the room. Everything was all covered in white sheets. ' Okay Sakura, you can do it! ' she thought grabbing the edges of the first one. ' One... two... three ' She pulled it away revealing dust. She covered her mouth and closed her eyes. It soon vanished.
" AHHH! " she screamed holding her hands together.
" What?! " Syaoran asked through clenched teeth.
" A cockroach... " she said, but then examined it closer... " Oh wait, its dead " Syaoran sweat dropped and decided not to comment, he closed his eyes.
She pulled sheet-by-sheet revealing old furniture, and took away the last one coughing. She opened her eyes to look at a wooden trunk. She examined the drawings on it: the seven vespers. A phrase was also imprinted: ' humanity is full of blunder, therefore if the secret is taken hold of in the wrong hands... everything will perish into its own darkness'. She gasped remembering Yuka's screams, but there was not time for that. She tried to open it but it was quite heavy. She gathered up her strengths and finally did it. She watched in wonder at all the contents: there were compasses of all kinds, maps, books, portraits, newspaper articles... Just like a pirate's treasure.
" What are you doing? " she heard Syaoran ask, in instinct took out the first thing she saw: dynamite, showing it to him. " That might work, " he said standing up.
" Yeah " she said, her voice trailing while handing it to him. Who could be the owner of that trunk? It certainly couldn't be Saori's protector, could it? He took out a box of matches from his pocket and grabbed one out. " Do you smoke? " she asked eyeing him.
" Why would you I do that?! " he yelled muttering words and turning his back on her.
' Well, he is physically ok... I mean if he really smoked, then he would be having trouble running... Besides his scent is way different! He can't smoke... " she concluded watching him.
" The dynamite won't work! Its way too old " he replied.
" Then burn the house down " Sakura heard herself say. He smirked at her.
" What a great idea... "
' Oh no... ' she suddenly realized her big mistake. This was Saori's home. They couldn't destroy it, plus it had some valuable artifacts that could help them in their hunt, but when she tried to stop him... it was too late. He opened the door, knocked down some guys, went to the stairway, and dropped 5-lit matches all the way down to the first floor. He returned back to find a worried look on Sakura's face.
" Look, I had to burn down the house " he tried explaining, but got interrupted.
" It's not that... my pendant... I've lost it... " she said with her eyes wide open.
" What pendant?! " he asked annoyed.
" The one my mother gave me! It was emerald colored " she answered, while looking through the sheets around the room. He gave her a puzzled look, but helped her search it when he saw a tear slid down across her cheek. ' Where could it be? ' she asked desperately. ' When did it fall? ' The room had no sign of it.
The fire was growing rapidly as they saw smoke starting to come from downstairs. She finally remembered. ' Downstairs! '
" It must have fallen of when I fell through the hole, " she said going to the room, but Syaoran, who was grabbing her arm, apprehended her back.
" Don't go! You'll get burned " he said.
" It's the only memory of my mother! " she blurted out. " Please! " she begged.
Syaoran stared intensely at her. Was he mad at her for being clumsy? For loosing something that was valuable? Probably, who knows... She shuddered.
" Wait for me, I'll call you from outside " he finally said as he entered the room and jumped through the hole.
He landed on the ground. He could barely see the outlines of the furniture that were being blurry and in distortion. The air was intoxicating. He covered his mouth as he slowly went past the enraging flames. There were burnt bodies of men lying around, to later become mere ashes. His brain was starting to explode from the lack of oxygen, he was sure that it was impossible to find the pendant Sakura had described, but something told him to continue. ' Why am I doing this for her? ' He thought as he got hotter by each second: his whole body was sweating. He would never give up on her; he just knew that he couldn't. And as they say... patience is a virtue. He finally saw the faint silhouette on the floor: the emerald pendant.
--- Sakura ---
Sakura waited for Syaoran. She had both of her hands close to her heart. What would she do if she lost the pendant? She had promised her mother that she would keep it and never lose it. Bothered tears separately scorched her cheeks. She was feeling wobbly, she had to grasp for air. She headed to the window and tried to open it, but to no avail. She looked around her, searching for something. She saw a chair and broke the glass with it. Her head couldn't take it longer and she fell to the ground.
Sakura... Sakura... Sakura...
Someone was calling her name from outside. She had heard that voice before. ' I feel tired ' she tried to respond. Her eyes were closed. But the voice was incredibly stubborn, for it kept calling out for her. ' Darn it! Fine then! ' she thought finally recognizing to whom the voice belonged to. She started getting up, coughing as she tried to breath in air. Fire had already reached the room and it was surrounding her. She finally stood up, rubbing her head and reached the window, stepping over the shards of broken glass.
" Sakura! You have to jump! " she heard Syaoran say. ' Hold on... did he just call me by my name?! ' She was shocked, never in her life had she heard someone call her name as sweetly and harmoniously as him, even though he was shouting at her. It was like music to her ears.
" I can't! " she answered coughing. " I'm tired and I will die! " she added remembering her fall from the floor.
" I DON'T CARE! JUST DO AS I SAY! " he replied back. She groaned as she stepped over the chair.
" You are hurt! You won't catch me! " she yelled back, hesitant a little as she approached the window.
" I will! Remember what I told you! DO IT! " he ordered. Sakura took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She launched herself forward, only to be slashed by the remaining shards of glass around the window. She winced in pain as she flew in the air.
Syaoran jumped in the same direction and caught her. He landed on the grass, and stumbled, falling on his butt. Sakura opened her eyes, she was now sitting on his lap. He was forcefully flinching with his eyes closed. She got concerned and ran her cold hand through his wet bangs landing on a boiling forehead. ' My god, he is burning! ' He opened his eyes making her retreat her hand. Her cheeks slightly pink.
" Are you ok? " he asked.
" HOW CAN YOU ASK THAT WHEN YOU ARE THE ONE WHO IS NOT OKAY " she yelled in grief. He only smirked.
They started hearing wailings of sirens. Both of their eyes opened in fear as they saw blue and red lights flash. ' The police is here?! '
--- Authors Comment: ---
I'm evil aren't I? ^^; Another cliffhanger... The next chapter will be... well you'll find out... I know the chapter's name is dull, but I couldn't think of anything else... See ya!