Hey everyone.  I really hope the chapters have made up for the delay.  Max is back as everyone has probably realized and I am so happy about that.  'Gives Max a big hug'  Hehe.  Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter.  I finally got rid of some of my writers block.  Things are getting a lot more complicated for our card captors.

***

The sound of wheels being pushed on ceramic floor echoed through the corridor as two orderlies pushed a wheelchair and a hospital bed down the long hallway. 

Sakura sat comfortably on the wheelchair with Kero in her lap.  Behind them a nurse had their personal belongings in two plastic bags. She looked at the couple in front of her and had to hold back a giggle. Sakura was hugging her little toy close to her with a smile on her face. Syaoran had his hands behind his head comfortably.

The doctor in charge of their condition had made the decision to move both patients to another room. They would be kept in the same room for convenience, but the room would be more private. Their condition was a strange one and the last thing they needed was the media all over it.

"Where are you taking us?" Sakura asked the orderly who was taking her.  They were at the elevator. 

"To a more private room.  It's just upstairs."  He told her as he pressed the buttons.  Syaoran's bed was wheeled into the elevator first followed by the nurse and Sakura.  He had a smirk plastered on his face as he looked at his girlfriend.

'I'm supposing you're comfy there.'  She whispered into his mind.  He gave a mental chuckle.

'Very comfy.'  He said with a sigh.  'I'd be more comfy if you were here with me but that can be fixed once we get to our new room.'

'You make that sound less than innocent.'  She said with a giggle.  He raised an eye brow at her and laid back down on the bed.  He was a bit surprised to hear her say something like that.

'I'm not that naïve you know.'  She said reading his thoughts.  She was definitely acting a little different today. 

'I know but I really didn't expect my Ying Fa to think hentai thoughts.'  He retorted making her blush.

'Mou, Xiao Lang!'  She complained.  He just chuckled at her and looked up at the ceiling.  They were now exiting the elevator and being pushed towards their new room.

Everything appeared to be a little more pleasant on this level. The walls weren't the same color as the intensive care unit and things seemed a little more peaceful.

"Where are we?" Sakura asked, marveling at the dramatic change.

"This is one of the recovery wards. It's where patients who have to go through surgery or have been in intensive care come after they're out of danger."  The nurse said, opening the door to the vast hospital room.

"It's so pretty."  Her eyes shone with her innocence and wonder.

"It is.  It's one of the nicer wards.  Some of us wish the rest of the hospital could look like this.  Makes the patients feel safer."  The nurse said as she placed their bags on the chairs.  The room was very large compared to the one in intensive care.  It had a large window that overlooked a beautiful garden. 

It had a bathroom connecting to the room.  Unlike the bathroom in the intensive care unit, this bathroom had a shower.  Sakura was grateful for that.  (I'd be grateful too.  The old hospital here in Sydney had the toilets and the showers on the other side of the ward.  You had to walk past all the rooms to get there.)

It took a couple of minutes to get both patients comfy in the room.  Sakura was placed on the hospital bed and her belongings were placed in the drawer next to her.  A vase of fresh cherry blossoms had been placed on the top of the shelf. 

Syaoran was on the other side of the room facing the window.  The light rays of the sun hit his skin causing it to take on a darker shade of his tan.  Something that appealed to Sakura very much.

'Like what you see?'  She heard Syaoran's voice in her mind.  She started to blush and looked away.  That of course made Syaoran chuckle.

The two orderlies and the nurse left them in peace once they were sure the two were comfortable enough. 

"You are so mean you know that?"  Sakura said once they were alone.  She got off her bed and walked over to his giving him a playful slap on the arm.  Kero watched all this from his spot on Sakura's bed.

"Yes, but you love me anyway."  He said with confidence.  She gave a little smirk and got closer till her face was right next to his ear.

"Maybe I don't."  She whispered causing Syaoran's eyes to widen.

"NANI?"  He said and watched Sakura burst into laughter.  He frowned when he realized she was only teasing him.  From the other side of the room Kero could be heard holding back his laughter.  "Not funny Sakura."

"I'm sorry."  She said while sitting on the side of his bed.  Her eyes bright with mirth she ran her hand along his cheek. 

He raised an eyebrow at her and grabbed her by the hips pulling her down.  This made Sakura squeal in delight as he began to tickle her relentlessly. 

She started to giggle uncontrollably and fell on top of him. He continued to tickle her hips and sides feeling the slightest tingle from his own actions. 

"Dozo stop.  I give up."  She cried out still laughing.  Her face was turning a light shade of blue from the lack of oxygen.

"Say what I want to hear first."  He said in a rough voice trying hard to hold back the laughter building up in him.

Sakura tried desperately to get out of his grasp but he made sure to have a strong hold on her.  She continued to laugh and squirm against him.

"I-I. Haha, lo-love you."  She managed to say in between her laughter.  Content with what she had said Syaoran released her from his grip but kept her in his arms.

"That's all I needed to hear."  He said smugly.  He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, bringing his lips to hers in a soft loving kiss.

Sakura gasped in surprise but responded to the kiss without hesitation.  It started out very soft and innocent but Syaoran forced Sakura's lips to part ever so slowly with his tongue.

Sakura let out a little whimper at the invasion but parted her lips obediently and allowed him access to her mouth.  Syaoran took the invitation and began to flicker his tongue into her mouth, exploring each crevasse of her mouth as if for the first time.

Letting out a moan Sakura wrapped her arms around his neck deepening the intensity of the kiss.  Her tongue started to mimic his as he continued to explore the still unfamiliar territory.

They continued their kiss until their lungs started to burn from the lack of oxygen.  Reluctantly they pulled away from each other panting for air. 

"Wow."  Sakura said with a smile on her face.  She kept her arms around his neck and watched as his eyes shone with enjoyment.

"Wow indeed."  He said trying to control his breathing.  "If I still had the heart monitor on I think it would be pounding by now." 

Sakura giggled at his attempt at a joke and leaned forward for another kiss.  This one was a little less aggressive but still very passionate.

Kero glanced up from his video game and rolled his eyes.  He thought it would be quite funny to have them like that and someone walk in.  Sakura was lying on top of Syaoran in a tight embrace with the warrior holding her even tighter.  Anyone who walked in would get the wrong idea.

'You know Tomoyo was right.  They do make a cute couple.'  He said to himself and went back to his game.

'I just hope they can be a couple for a long time.  If there are destroyer's around here we'll all be in big trouble.'

***

"WHERE ARE THEY?"  Meilin yelled as she paced around the intensive care unit.  They had been let into the unit less than five minutes ago only to discover that both Sakura and Syaoran were gone. 

"Meilin don't yell."  Yelen said.  She was getting a little worried.  Their beds were nicely made and all their belongings had been taken.  Sakura's father was asking one of the nurses where they went.

"They should be here."  She said desperately.  Her cousin was missing along with one of her friends.  The doctor hadn't told them where they'd been taken yet because he was down in research.

"Don't worry Meilin.  Eriol said that they're just fine."  Tomoyo assured her.  In truth she'd been just as hysterical when they'd arrived but her boyfriend had assured her that her best friend was safe and actually quite happy.

Fujitaka walked back to the group of worried family and friends with Touya tagging behind him looking a little unhappy.

"They were moved upstairs.  Apparently Li decided to wake up this morning."  He said happily. 

"He's awake?"  Meilin said with hope in her eyes.  The Li sisters also looked at the father of the card mistress with a mix of emotions swimming in their eyes.

He closed his eyes and smiled.  "He's fine.  The nurse said that he's perfectly healthy." 

The girls squealed in delight and started to hug each other.  The boys all stood to the side with smiles on their faces.  Their friends would be ok and everyone could relax.

Yelen sighed in relief at knowing that her son would be fine.  He was her only son.  She had been worried for him, thinking that maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't wake up.    

"Can we see them?"  Rika asked as she released the group hug.  Fujitaka nodded and started to lead the group of people down the hall to the elevators.  They waited patiently for the lift to open and they stepped in.  With a little discomfort they all managed to fit inside.

The ride up to the recovery ward was silent as each person reflected on the condition of their loved ones.

Some were afraid of what they'd see. Others were excited at seeing the two people they cared for. One was mad about the fact that his sister was still in the same room as a certain gaki.

The lift opened and they were greeted with the recovery ward, which was a lot less depressing than the ICU.  They walked to the main reception area to find out where exactly the two card captors were residing.

"Excuse me miss?" Yukito asked the young nurse at the reception table.  She looked up and smiled brightly at the group of people.  "We're here to see a Miss Kinomoto Sakura and a Mr. Li Xiao Lang."

The nurse looked them over for a moment then called over another nurse. She looked like she ran the ward.

"Are you family?" She asked. Apparently the two patients were being well hidden. Their names weren't on the list of patients board. 

"Yes." He said. "This is Miss Kinomoto's father and Mr. Li's mother and sisters."

"Do you have any form of identification on you?"  The nurse asked Fujitaka.  He nodded and took out his wallet presenting his documents proving he was who he said he was.

"I'm so sorry Mr. Kinomoto about the interrogation, but you must understand that with the delicate situation revolving around your daughter and Mr. Li's popularity we want to be careful with the media. They're in room 5, just to the left."

"I understand. It's no trouble.  I should be thanking you for keeping my daughter's privacy safe."  He said as the group walked off in search of the room.

"Room ten, nine, eight, seven, six.  Here it is.  Room five."  Meilin said happily. She grabbed the door handle and opened the door.  What they found in the room was not what they'd expected.

They'd expected Syaoran to be all bandaged up and resting peacefully.  They'd expected Sakura to be in bed doing the same thing.  She'd been so stressed about the whole situation. They hadn't expected to see Syaoran without a single bandage on him. Nor had they expected to see the card mistress laying on top of him straddling his hips while locked in a passionate kiss.

The sudden noise of the door opening forced Kero to stop moving and caused both Sakura and Syaoran to stop kissing and look up to the door.  They were greeted with a mob of shocked faces.

Silenced filled the room as each person let the event sink into their brain. Sakura looked up with her emerald eyes wide open. Her lips were swollen from the aggressiveness of the make out session she'd been having. Her face was now extremely flushed and her body tensed. 

Syaoran had a similar look on him. His family and friends were standing at the door looking at them as if they'd seen a ghost. His amber eyes were wide with shock and his heart was still pounding from the kiss he'd been sharing with Sakura. 

The silence lasted about five seconds before Touya yelled out angrily and in a panic Sakura fell off the bed and onto the floor with Syaoran screaming at his approaching attacker.

"Touya. No."  Sakura begged as her brother approached the hospitalized Li warrior.  "Please don't hurt him."

Her pleas went unheard as Touya started to shake Syaoran by his shoulders screaming curses and damning him to every hell he knew of.

"You wake up and you're already putting your hands on my sister?"  He yelled as all the males in the room tried to calm him and pull him off the sorcerer.  Even with their combined strength they couldn't pull Touya off him.

"Please stop it."  Sakura begged trying to pull her brother away.  "He didn't hurt me I swear Touya.  Please Onii-chan.  Stop it. You're hurting him."

"That's the idea."  He said still shaking the boy.  Amazingly Syaoran was laughing.  Very hard. He couldn't help but think this was so ironic. He'd been through the clow cards.  Faced death in the eyes numerous times and come out alive. He'd been in a coma for a week and he'd woken up. Now he would die by the hand of his love's older brother. 

Touya continued to shake him until they managed to get him off the laughing teenager.  He couldn't stop laughing as Sakura came over and hugged him. 

"Are you ok?"  She asked softly.  He continued to laugh humorlessly as he looked around the room.

"I'm fine. Your brother almost killed me."  He said taking in a deep breath.  A nurse had come into the room to see what all the yelling was about.  She was now giving Touya something to relax him.

"Well he didn't." She said with a smile. She gave him a tight embrace before facing her family and friends.

"Hi."  She said sweetly.  Everyone sweatdroped and the girls went over to embrace the couple.  Syaoran's sisters squealing about how happy they were about their little brother being awake.

"We can't breath."  They cried in union as the group hug intensified.  The girls giggled and Tomoyo got that evil glint in her eye.

"That didn't seem to bother you when you were kissing."  She said sweetly, causing everyone to smirk at them.  The two card captors turned a bright red.

"Did you know that kissing use to be a form of greeting?"  Yamazaki said  "If you just met someone you would kiss them on the cheek.  If you knew them from a long time it was on the lips. It was law."

"Really?"  Both Sakura and Syaoran said with their eyes a little wide.  It would be weird kissing someone else that you didn't really know.

"Oh yes, he's quite right.  If you met someone you knew on the street you would have to kiss them or you could be charged a fine.  It was a very strict law."  Eriol said.

"Yamazaki. If Chiharu was here she'd probably hit you over the head and Eriol stop fueling the fire."  Tomoyo said giving her boyfriend a menacing glare.

Both Sakura and Syaoran sweatdroped while everyone else laughed.  No matter how many times they fooled them, Yamazaki's lies always made them look gullible.  Eriol's input to the story didn't help the situation much either.

"So Li how did you wake up? Did you flat line and they brought you back? Did Sakura kiss you while you were waking up?" Tomoyo said pointing the camera at the couple.

"Actually I just woke up. Nothing dramatic. I just opened my eyes and saw Sakura sitting next to me." He said casually placing his hands behind his head while Sakura laid down next to him. Snuggling her head on the crook of his neck.  Fortunately for him Touya wasn't in any condition to fight with him. The nurse had given him a sedative to calm him down.

"Well, we're very happy that you decided to wake up." Sakura said as she kissed his neck. The girls all giggled and the boys smirked at Syaoran's red face.

"Getting a little red there aren't we my cute little descendant?"  Eriol said. Everyone laughed. They'd told Rika, Chan and Yamazaki that it was a long standing joke between them.

"Don't call me that." He declared. His tone of voice wasn't menacing though. He didn't want to embarrass himself in front of his family and friends. Especially when Tomoyo had her dreaded camera with her. Sakura didn't seem to care at the moment.

"Have you eaten yet?" Yukito asked. The two sorcerers nodded their heads.

"We had something to eat but we didn't get to finish it cause we got moved."  Syaoran said. His mother was now at his side with her eyes slightly closed. She was checking them for any magical injures.

"What did you bring us?"  Sakura asked with hope in her eyes. Truth be told her stomach was starting to hurt from hunger.

"Well nothing. I was going to ask Rika and Yamazaki if they'd go get something down at the cafeteria. Chan could go to."  He said looking at the three. They agreed and quickly left the room. 

The moment the door closed Yukito changed into Yue. Kero stopped sweating and Yelen continued to search for any negative energy.

"That was way to close for comfort." Kero said as he stretched out. "We were almost caught."

"Yelen can you feel anything from them?" Eriol asked. His voice held authority. His ponytail swayed slightly as he moved closer to the bed.

"I don't feel anything negative. I don't know what healed them either. Even with their magical abilities they shouldn't have healed this fast."

Sakura looked at everyone with a worried expression.  Syaoran squeezed her hand for comfort.

Slowly getting off the bed Sakura walked over to her winged guardian.  Her eyes threatened to let tears fall but she held them in.

"Yue,  I wanted to thank you for saving Xiao Lang.  I don't know what I would have done if he hadn't survived.  If it wasn't for you he would have died."  She said letting the tears fall.  Yue's usual emotionless look softened and he smiled at his mistress.

"I was only doing my duty mistress." He said softly wiping the tears away from her eyes.  She shook her head and smiled through her tears.

"No it was more than that. Yue you're always there to protect us and I don't think I would have been able to do a lot of things if you hadn't been there. So Arrigatou."  She said and proceeded to hug him. 

A little shocked at first Yue didn't know what to do. He looked around the room and saw Eriol smiling at him giving him a little nod. The guardian wrapped his arms around his beloved mistress and hugged her back. She was crying and he made soothing sounds to comfort her. 

From his bed Syaoran smiled and watched the tender moment between his beloved and her guardian.  It was true.  If Yue hadn't saved him then he would be dead right now.  He owed him his life.  Not only that he'd been there advising him many times in the past.

"Kawaii."  Tomoyo exclaimed.  Her camera trained on the tender scene.  "I think I'll call this breaking barriers." 

"Why would you call it that my love?"  Eriol said from behind her.  The Li sisters were near tears. Fujitaka and Yelen were smiling.  Kero had tears flowing down his face.  Meilin was grinning from ear to ear with Fu and Jin behind her.

"Because today Syaoran hasn't stopped smiling, and Yue finally showed some emotion."  She said happily. Syaoran scolded at that but couldn't keep it up for long.  She was right.

He started to sit up properly and then swung his legs over the side of the bed.  He motioned for Eriol to come over and he whispered something into his ear.  Eriol laughed softly and nodded. 

With a quick movement on his hand a pair of pants and a button up shirt appeared in his hand.  He handed the garments to Syaoran.

"Little brother where are you going?"  Fan Ran asked as her brother got up.  He was very wobbly on his feet and had to sit down twice.  Eriol and Fu had to help him get up.

Sakura let go of her hug with Yue and looked at her boyfriend with concern.  He shouldn't be getting up yet.  He was still weak and he hadn't moved in a week.

"To take a shower."  He said walking over to the bathroom.  Eriol and Fu stayed behind him just as Tomoyo and Meilin had done with Sakura.

He closed the door behind him and Eriol decided to be a pain.  He winked at Tomoyo and leaned against the door.

"Do you want me to transport you some boxer shorts my cute little descendant?" He said loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.  Syaoran's sister burst into laughter.  Meilin followed on shortly.  Yelen had to hold back a laugh.  Sakura was desperately trying to stop laughing. 

Syaoran opened the door just a little and looked at Eriol.  His face was slightly red as he took a deep breath.

"Yeah could you?"  He said as casually as possible.  He tried to block out the laughter surrounding the room.  After the near death experience Syaoran wasn't going to be bothered with Eriol's teasing.  It wasn't worth it.  He added in a low tone.  "Stop calling me that."

Eriol chucked at snapped his fingers.  Syaoran grabbed the article of clothing before anyone could see them.  He closed the door loudly and the sound of water being run could be heard through the room.

"You're terrible Eriol-kun." Sakura said. Touya was lying on her bed fast asleep.  The sedative had worked almost instantly on his nerves.

"Why thank you Sakura-chan." He said with an exaggerated bow.

"Well while Li's in the shower I think we should start explaining some things.  Don't you think Sakura?" Kero said sternly. She nodded her head and walked over to Syaoran's bed and sat down.

"You're right Kero. The sooner we figure everything out the better."

She started to tell them everything. About the bonding spell. About the fight with Anuradha. What Syaoran had told her about the in between world. 

Everything.

***

"YOU WEREN'T TO HEAL THE WARRIOR!" Elsu yelled at the kneeling demons.  They lifted their heads slightly to look at their enraged master.

"You asked us to heal the card mistress and that's what we did. We did not anticipate their bond to be this strong." Nisha said calmly. She hadn't told him about her part in it.  "We also didn't know about Anuradha's place in all of this. We didn't know she would assist him in his quest."

"How could he defeat the guardian of the gates?" Elsu questioned, sitting on his throne.  Nisha and Bahul rose to their feet and moved closer.

"My lord, the wolf is much stronger than he seems. We've also discovered something else. The bond he shares with the card mistress has enabled him to also use the cards."  She added cautiously.  The last thing she needed was for Elsu to snap her neck.

A low growl was heard as her master's eyes glowed red.  His hands clenched his throne in a death grip and neither Nisha nor Bahul dared step any closer.

"Tell me, was all this trouble worth it?  Is the card mistress healed?"  He asked as calmly as possible.

"Yes my lord. Her power is completely restored. It may even be stronger than before."   Bahul said. 

Elsu's anger softened a little. The room didn't seem so menacing as it had a mere second before.  She was alright and that's all that mattered.

"Bahul leave the room. I wish to talk to Nisha alone."  He said in a low whisper.

Bahul glanced at his mistress.  He was fearful of her safety.  Nisha just nodded and he had no choice but to leave.  He glanced back at the two for a moment before exiting the room.

"He cares for you."  Elsu said getting up from his throne.

"I'm his mistress. I raised him ever since he was a child, of course he'd care."  She said reasonably. 

"I mean he cares for you as more than just a mentor."  His voice was smug.  He'd noticed those glances Bahul gave the winged demon.

"My lord, I assure you that I have no idea what you mean." She didn't like what he was insinuating. He was mocking her and her student.

"Don't play dumb with me Nisha. Anuradha may have been stupid, but you are not."  He walked closer to her. "I've seen the affection he gives you. You taught him well. He holds little emotions. Though it's obvious he has feelings for you."

Nisha didn't respond. It was true. On the very rare occasion she'd notice her favored student glance at her with more than just admiration. He showed her affection in his own way. To proud to admit it.

"You care for him too." That made her head snap up and her wings flare. He was not guessing, he was telling her. Her eyes went wide. "You care for him deeply. I can see it in the way you favor him. The training you gave him. You advanced his training well beyond that of any student you've ever taken."

"He was a fast learner. He became bored very easily with the things he learnt. I had to advance him to a level he could challenge himself with." She protested. She did care for him but not in the way he was insinuating.

"We both know that isn't the only reason. Though I'll drop it and get to the point.  Whether it is romantically or not, you care deeply for the scorpion. I'm putting his life in your hands Nisha. If you fail me in the task I give you, to bring the card mistress to me, I will take him from you and have him sacrificed to the hell gods."

"You can't." She exclaimed. No one touched Bahul. She wouldn't allow it. To be sacrificed to the hell gods was worse than Elsu's torture. The pain inflicted there was ten times worse.

"Oh I will. IF you fail me. Remember Nisha I know he's your weakness, and I will use it if you even consider failing me." He stepped closer to her and pulled out some of the delicate feathers of one of her wings. She didn't move. "If you do not succeed I will make you suffer the consequences with his blood, and yours."

She stared at her master's eyes with emptiness. She couldn't argue with him. It wasn't her life on the line anymore. It was Bahul's. She wasn't human but she cared for him.  She wouldn't allow him to die. He was to take on the throne.

"Yes my lord." She said. Her voice was soft and gentle. Something Elsu hadn't heard since she was a small child.

He lifted his hand and caressed her face very gently. Almost tenderly. She was afraid now. She'd seen his tenderness. The day he'd killed the rabbit.

"I remember when you were an infant Nisha. The determination you had to serve me.  Where did that go?" His voice was soft and soothing. So inviting. It was hard to resist it.

"I don't know sir." Her voice was so soft. Like a child. She hated it when he reduced her to this. Reduced her to fear and innocence.

She bowed her head afraid to look him in the eyes. She was a warrior. One of the greatest in the demon world and she was afraid.

Elsu lifted her chin up and forced her to open her eyes.  They were the color of pure silver.  Her wings had changed into a lighter shade of gray.  The color she'd had when she was still young.  When her only dream was to serve the demon she now hated so much.

"You live because of me. Don't forget that. Your parents wouldn't have been able to give you what I have. Just like Bahul. Don't ever forget that. Remember that your blood is very valuable."

"I know my lord." She hissed. She hated being reminded that she could be sold off to any other demon her master desired.

"I'd hate for you to suffer the same fate your mother faced." He said gently placing a kiss on her forehead. She wanted to cry. Like humans do. Wanted to hit him. Kill him for what he'd just done. She wanted to do anything to get him away from her.

"Go. I'll call on you when I need you."  He said, letting her leave. Gratefully she bowed and walked away . Her torn wing changing back into its normal black. Closing her eyes once they also changed back their normal shade of gray.

"Oh, and Nisha."  He called out.  She turned to face him.  Her face emotionless.  "Don't tell anyone about our little conversation." 

She nodded her head and kept walking away.  Images of the torture chamber filling her mind. There were things she could never tell anyone about, what happened after.  No one could ever know.  Not even Bahul.

She walked down the halls to her private chambers.

***

Ok I just scared myself.  I know everyone is confused about the bad guys now. 

I had a conversation with someone about how I think anyone can turn to their darker side.  So I decided to make the bad guys lives more complicated.  So basically our plot has thickened.

I'm thinking about boosting up the rating just to be safe.  It's nothing too drastic it's just that I feel we're stepping into darker territory.

Oh yeah I downloaded the fanfic instant messenger so if anyone wants to talk to me about suggestions or comments just look me up.

Ja ne everyone.

Kang

(M: Really sorry about the wait. But, you deserve it! Kang can't say it cause she's too nice, but, the number of reviews per chapter has dwindled. Bad readers. *Points finger and shakes it* Naughty.)