The Reconciliation

By: Chan Yoruyamatiha

Sorewa Bonsaku that has many cliffhangers.

Ara, THANK YOU FOR NOT KILLING ME, READERS!!! If you had killed me, you wouldn't be reading this, ne? ^_^

Kikoken: Lol! I betta watch out for you! You're out to get me! ^.^ These "bloody cliffhangers" are only to attract your attention, keep you interested, and PISS YOU OFF!!! ;P

Edgar: Ahahahaha You think Sakura's dead! Well. guess what. Read this chapter. Have fun kicking Akuma's ass, too, Sakura and I are going to join in and do our share of ass-kicking too when this fanfic is over! ;)

DeNice: I'll bet Darrell has fainted right now and is unable to read this, ne? WAKE UP! And please convince Sakura not to kill me. I've got enough stalkers after me now. AHEM! *Makes a fake little coughing noise that sounds oddly like 'Edgar'* LOL!

Tornado: *Blush* Thanks for your comments! Heheh, those were really great suggestions, but by the time you reviewed I was already finished writing this chapter. :( Keep giving me suggestions, and I'll use them! Thanks again!

Fle: Lol I get the feeling that you're shocked by the last chapter. ^-^ That's good, I really like that last chapter! I love that cliffhanger especially... *Evil smile* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------

Chapter 12 - Resentment **************************

BAM.

A loud sound was heard, and then quiet. Mitsukake's eyes watered over as he clamped them shut to try to keep the tears back. Sakura was gone... all gone...

After several seconds, Mitsukake's mind developed horrific images that disturbed him. Images of what he thought was lying on the floor beside his bed. Images of Sakura lying in a pool of blood, all of it seeping out of her head and face, Akuma smirking triumphantly as Ryu lay at his feet. Mitsukake did not want to open his eyes; he afraid that he would see these images.

A soft moan came from the floor. Mitsukake still did not open his eyes. It was a manly moan... it came from a man... not Sakura.

"Uuuhhnnn..."

Then, a second moan was heard. This one was completely different from the first one. It sounded more... feminine... and soft. Mitsukake's eyes snapped open as he slowly managed to sit up. Was Sakura still alive?

The scene before him was completely different from the one Mitsukake had imagined. Akuma lay unconscious on the floor several feet away, as well as Ken, who was passed out a few feet away from Akuma.

Ryu lay on the floor on his back breathing heavily, his eyes closed and his lips moving, muttering a soft prayer that only Ryu could hear. In his arms lay Sakura, her head rested between his torso and his arm. It was then that Mitsukake realized what had happened. Ryu had knocked Akuma out, and threw himself on the floor under Sakura just in time to save her life.

The way Ryu had Sakura held close to him in his arms made Mitsukake slightly jealous. Although Mitsukake owed Ryu his life for saving Sakura, he couldn't help but to hate him. He was competition for Sakura...

"Sakura... please tell me you're all right..."

Ryu and Mitsukake watched Sakura opened her eyes slowly to the dull, unforgiving light of the hospital. Her mouth opened slightly as she tried to breathe, but choked as she tasted the plentiful, metallic taste of blood in her mouth.

Immediately, Ryu sat up and held her to where she could cough onto the floor. He sighed and looked at the ceiling. If he had been one second later saving Sakura, she would be dead. Seeing her so close to death had unnerved him. Ryu held her tightly against him to calm her hyperventilating.

Mitsukake ignored the pain he was in and slowly stood, a scowl forming over his face. How could Ryu even THINK about holding Sakura like that in front of him? The scowl on Mitsukake's face grew as jealousy overtook him instead of gratitude. Why couldn't Ryu realize that Sakura belonged to HIM? Why was RYU the one to rescue Sakura, and not HIM?

Sakura hacked up the last bit of blood onto the floor and slumped back into Ryu's chest, breathing slowly and deeply.

"That's it... breathe slowly... Everything's ok now..."

Mitsukake couldn't stand how Ryu was now whispering into Sakura's ear and brushing her hair back out of her face. It should be HIM trying to comfort HIS Sakura, not Ryu!

Sakura slowly turned herself to where she was looking at Ryu, who smiled at her warmly. Mitsukake's hair nearly stood on end when Sakura's lips began to curve into a smile as well.

"Th-th... Thank... you.... Ryu..."

"AH-HEM!"

Mitsukake approached Ryu from behind, his hands drawn into fists. He cleared his throat loudly to get their attention.

Ryu turned to look at Mitsukake and he saw the livid look on Mitsukake's face. Taking a clue, he gently let Sakura out of his grip and edged away from her. Sakura, however, looked from Ryu to Mitsukake in innocent confusion.

"Na... Nan...-"

"Shh..."

Mitsukake's voice once again came out harsher than he wanted it to, causing Sakura to recoil. The blood that was coming out of her eyes was slowly mixed with salty tears.

Immediately, Mitsukake was ashamed of himself. Ryu, for the first time, was giving Mitsukake an irritated look. He looked from Mitsukake to Sakura and proceeded towards Sakura, but stopped when he saw Mitsukake walk over to her and kneel down in front of her.

"Sakura... I'm sorry..."

Mitsukake gently brought Sakura into his arms and buried his face in her brunette hair. He wrapped his arms around her back and allowed her to cry onto his shoulder.

"I... I wish could have been me instead..."

~~~~~~~~~~~End of ch. 12~~~~~~~~~~~

Mitsukake: *Walks in and sits down at keyboard* Ok, readers, Chan has told me to deliver this message to you all, so listen... and quit throwing things at me. Chan is in an incredibly pissed off mood and apologizes for the abrupt ending of the chapter with no cliffhanger.

Sakura: Yeah, someone was pissing her off!

Mitsukake: *Rolls eyes* Anyways... Ja ne! Be sure to REVIEW!!!!!!!!