cHAPTER 13
Two Cycles Later . . .
She was hot. Burning. Sakura wrenched away her sheets and gasped for breath, trying to cool her burning skin. She staggered to her feet and dragged herself towards the lav. She needed a cold shower. She needed it badly.
Emerging into the hallway, she leaned against the wall, and rested her aching body and head. She felt so dizzy. She had seen the bruises more clearly today than two days before. They had spread across her stomach. She stumbled towards the cockpit and sagged into the chair groaning as pain lanced across her stomach.
" If I had known it would end this way, " she gasped. " I would have left long before this, reguardless of loving Li or not. " she whispered. She closed her eyes, fighting tears. " No, " she mumbled a few minutes later. " I would have told him first. "
She was unaware of how much time went past as she sat there, but when she opened her eyes, she felt a little better. She checked the co-ordinates and saw that it wasn't too much farther to Sonoma. She sighed deeply. Not much longer she thought. She should be there by tomorrow morning, hopefully.
Until then . . . she could only wait . . . and hope . . .
Later that day . . .
" Bingo. " Eriol smirked triumphantly.
" Where? " Li said running to his side.
" Sonoma. " Eriol clarified. " Strange. I thought you said she was heading to Zirak? "
Li clenched his fists. " She obviously lied. . "
Eriol shot him a sympathetic look.
" I don't want your pity Hirragizawa. " Li snapped not looking at him.
Eriol shrugged. " Suit yourself. "
"Just hurry up and get us there. The sooner I can strangle her the better. " Li bit out.
Eriol shot him a look and mentally shook his head.
Sakura asked for clearance, and was granted. She docked the ship and gathered her pack and made sure Kero was tucked safely away. She hated leaving the female Lanrax, but it was not hers to take, and she was sure Li would take care of it. She staggered to the hutch and keyed in the code and sighed as she stepped out onto Sonoma.
She hefted her pack and walked down to the dock, making sure to close the ship up tight. She didn't want any others stealing Li's ship. It was bad enough that she had done so. She walked through the busy streets, calming herself when she thought another attack would start. Kero twittered away in her pack and she had to smile. It was just like the old days. She hid in the shadows of the dark side street, trying to catch her breath and fight the urge to throw up. " Oh Kero . . " she breathed. " I don't . . think . . . we're going . . to make . . it. . . " she slid to the ground and sucumbed to the dark.
" . . she has long honey brown hair, green eyes - no, emerald green eyes. So high . . . about up to my shoulder. "
Eriol sat back and watched with some amusement as Li described Sakura to the station police.
" Poor pilgrim . . " he muttered with a smirk. He wondered if he should tell Li about the little incident with his vault, but voted against it. He was already furious.
" I'll send a picture of her through. " he clicked off the screen and typed away and then sighed and turned around to face Eriol. His gaze darkened.
" Something amuses you? "
Eriol smirked and his eyes danced with laughter. " Oh, no. Just thinking about everything. "
They had found the ship, and Li had stormed inside in such a rage, that it took him a few moments to realise that it was empty. Sakura had gone. Li had checked everything, finding everything as it had been when he had left. She hadn't taken anything.
" This has really got you going hasn't it old man? " Eriol asked smiling.
" Mind your own business. " Li snapped starting to pace. " Why would she steal my ship, but take nothing from it? It's obviously she had all the codes. " he stopped pacing and went to the control panel typing away.
" I'll be damned. " he muttered starring in disbelief at the decoding program. " Smart pilgrim. " Eriol stated over Li's shoulder. " Didn't know she had it in her. "
Li growled and slammed his fist down on the control panel.
" Blazing Hells! Where is she?! "
Sakura turned around the corner and stopped when someone yelled: " Stop! "
Fear seized her and watched as Sonoma law enforcement ran towards her. Oh Spirit! Li had reported her!
She fled. She ducked under crates and ran down alleys. Hoping she would lose them. She stumbled more times than she would have liked with her leg, but she didn't have time to waste. If only she could get to the medical facility! She saw it standing tall and proud in front of her and Hope surged through her, only to be crushed when giant hands grabbed the back of her tunic and a sharp pain exploded in the back of her head.
Her world went dark.
" Where is she? " Li demanded as they stood in the port teminal.
" She was seized only a few moments ago. They should be bringing her in any time about now. " the man behind the desk replied steadily. " Do you wish to see the accused? "
" Hai. " Li said calmly, keeping check of his self control.
Eriol stood behind him watching silently.
" Name? " the man asked.
" Li Showron. This is my co-worker Eriol Hirragizawa. " Li replied.
The man's face altered for just a moment before he looked calmly back at Li. Li felt a tingle go up his spine. Somethng was wrong.
Suddenly hands seized him and pulled his hands behind his back. " Hey! What's going on?!! " Li demanded angrily.
Eriol was cursing in his native language as he was seized as well.
" Sorry Captain Showron. " the man said smirking evilly. " I've had several reports about you. It would seem that you've been involved with several mishaps in the last week. Some which your friend there, " he indicated Eriol, " has helped you get away with. We believe your little friend that was just captured may be apart of some other alligations we recieved this morning. "
" Your crazy! " Li yelled as he was dragged down the corridor! " I've done nothing wrong! "
" Save it Showron. " the man called back. " Anything you say may be used against you and you companions. "
Sakura huddled cold and alone in the dark corner of her cell. They had taken her back pack and Kero along with it, refusing the little creature to be with her. She shuddered and started to cry. Li had reported her. It was like a knife blade in her heart. Surely he would have found his ship? She hadn't taken anything. She had hoped that he would forget all about he and move on. But he hadn't. She clenched her teeth as more pain spread through her gut. She cried out and choked with the pain. She fell to the floor and convulsed painfully.
" Put him in there. " the guard indicated the empty cell. " Let the other one keep him company. "
Li thought they were going to put Eriol in with him, but they marched him down the corridor, leaving him alone in the dirty cell.
" Why did they say other one? " he wondered and then he heard the laboured breathing and turned to stare into the darkness.
" Who's there? " he demanded.
It was quiet and then he heard a very faint sound. " L-Li . . . ? "
Li moved over and rolled the body over. It gasped and shuddered as if in pain. " You! " Li seethed.
Sakura gasped and slowly moved herself into sitting position.
" What are you doing here " she asked softly.
" That's what I'd like to know. " Li bit out glarring at her. " What? Couldn't get away fast enough? "
She cringed and looked down.
" I didn't want to . . you have to under- stand. " she choked out.
Li scanned her quickly. What was wrong with her?
" I d-did what I-I had to. " she breathed.
" What's wrong with you? " Li demanded angrily. Then he smirked. " What get a little roughed up when they caught you? I bet you didn't expect to get caught did you you little theif. "
" It's not like that! " Sakura said fighting with all her strength to make him see. " I had to get here. "
" Ah yes. Sonoma instead of Zirak. I'd like to know what the real story is. Why don't you tell me? Looks like neither of us are going anywhere. "
She looked up and him in the darkness and then away. " I can't. You wouldn't . . understand. "
Li laughed coldly and she cringed. " Try me. "
" I can't! Ahh! " she fell forward clutching her stomach in pain.
Li smirked. " I'm not falling for your little acts anymore. I'm not rushing to your side. Your on your own. "
Sakura fell to the cold, dirty floor and gasped for breath. She had to get out of here.
Later that night . .
" Bring him this way. "
Sakura woke when she heard the guards bringing in another prisoner. She heard Li shift restlessly beside her and she looked as they brought the man down. He was tall, dark hair and she gasped!
" Tori! " she breathed unable to scream.
Li tensed and looked at her and she scrambled to her knees, crawling towards the bars.
" Oh, Spirit no! " she breathed. She couldn't let him know that she was here. She couldn't let him know that she had failed.
" Another of your companions? " Li asked snidely.
Sakura horrorfied eyes watched as he was placed inside a cell. She pulled away and rested her head on the cold cement. She didn't care anymore. Li could torment her, but she didn't care. Let him see me fall, she thought.
Li watched from the shadows as she leant her head to the floor. What was wrong with her? She was in the light now. And he realised that she looked terrible. Her hair was mattered and she was pale. She looked like death. She looked up and sighed. She gathered her feet and rose, standing on shaky legs.
" What are you - ? " Li asked watching her.
" Tori. " she whispered. " Oh Tori. " she faced the bars and grim determination replaced pain.
" Sakura no. " Li said jumping to his feet, but it was too late.
" Let me out! " she cried, gripping the bars. The electric current shot through her like a razor blade, shocking her. She felt something pull her back, and she let go weakly.
" Are you insane? Do you want to be fried? " Li yelled angrily helping her kneel to the floor.
She was spanting, but what bothering him was how badly she was shaking.
" What's gotten into you? " he demanded quietely, making sure no guards had come.
She clenched her teeth and met his gaze and he staggered back at the pain the was flashing wildly in her wide emerald eyes, dull and burning with fever.
" You must help . . " she gasped. " Tori . . he - he doesn't . . deserve to be . . in here. Get him . . get him out. . " she pleaded and fell backwards hitting the stone floor with a thump. Li went to reach for her, but she cried out, her back arching high off the floor with pain. She screamed, but Li covered her mouth desperately trying not to bring any attention to them.
" You're burning up. " he stated shocked. He moved to the corner and looked in the water trough. It wasn't the best, but it was cold.
He helped her sit up, gently easing her onto his lap, and then brushed cold water over her face and neck. He helped her drink a little and she sighed and fell into a troubled sleep. Li looked down at her. Something was terribly wrong.
Sakura woke and found Li beside her, watching her intently. When he saw that she was awake, he reached out to place his hand on her forehead to see if the fever had broken. Sakura's eyes flarred wide with panic and she pushed him heavily away from her and pushed herself up against the stone wall.
" Oh, Spirit don't touch me! " she cried, holding her head in her hands. " Please don't touch me. " she sobbed.
Li starred at in her in surprise.
" Sakura, what's wrong? " he asked softly.
Her only answer was to wail, rocking herself back and forth. Li watched her. Had she gone mad? It was almost like she didn't want to be near him. Had he caused her to turn from him with the way he had treated her?
Some hours later . . .
Li must have dosed because he came awake with a jolt and became aware of his surroundings and scowled. How long did they plan to keep him in here with no proof that he had done the alligations they'd set against him. He looked over to Sakura to find her alseep once again. He moved closer to look on her. One of the tuics arms had ridden up to her elbow and his eyes widened when he saw the dark bruises down her arms. Where had she got them? He didn't recall seeing them before.
Just then a shadow stood in front of his cell and he looked up with a ready glare. A guard returned the glare, but Li was surprised to see Eriol standing behind him.
" Surprised to see me old man? " he smirked.
" How the hell did you -? " Li asked standing up.
" I have a few favours that needed collecting. This is one of them. "
The guard grunted his disapproval, but slid back the door and stood aside for Li to walk out.
" The other one too. " the guard said gruffly.
" That one's up to you old man. " Eriol said looking at the figure in the corner.
Li paused and then nodded. He bent down and nudged Sakura. She groaned and slowly awoke and when she saw Li she freaked and plastered herself against the wall.
" Easy. " Li soothed. " We're free to go. Stand up. "
" Free to go? " she repeated stunned. " But - "
" Do you want to get out of here or not? " Li asked impatiently.
She grunted and tried to stand, but her knees kept buckling. Li made a noise of agitation and reached down and helped her up dispite her objections.
He helped her out of the cell and looked up when Eriol gasped and stepped back, going pale.
" What's wrong? "
Eriol's eyes widened, still starring at Sakura. He took another step back.
Sakura's groaned and managed to lift her head enough to stare at Eriol. She knew he knew. He was after all, a Shielder as well. She begged with her eyes not to let her secret known.
' Please. . ' she mouthed.
"N-Nothing. " Eriol managed, not meeting Li's eyes. " It's nothing. "
Li frowned and made sure Sakura could stand on her own feet before he took a step back glarring at the guard.
" Let's get out of here. I don't want to spend anymore time here. " he said and walked away.
Sakura sighed tiredly and turned to walk after him.
" Sakura. " She turned around and faced Eriol. He was still a small distance apart from him, but she could see his fear.
" Hai. . " she whispered. " I've been infected. "
He gasped and stepped back further.
" That's why I needed so desperately to get here . . "
" The medical facilty. " he said realising the connection.
Sakura nodded.
" By the Spirit. . " he breathed.
Just then Sakura realised and gasped. Tori!
" Oh no! Eriol please, I need your help! " she pleaded weakly.
" Why should I help you?! " he demanded coldly. " Your an outcast, and your infected! "
" I did it to try and save them! " she bit back with some strength in her voice. " I did it to save them! "
He watched her carefully.
" What do I owe you? " he finally asked.
" Your not the one that owes anyone anything. " she said. " I owe you for many things, but I have nothing to give you, and in a few more hours I'll be dead. My brother was the tall man with black hair and dark eyes who was brought in here. "
" I know he's a Shielder. " Eriol replied.
" Please. He's the only family that carred. " she cried brokenly. " He would never have done anything to deserve to be trapped in here. Get him out Eriol. Please get him out. I can never repay him either, but maybe, if you can get him out, then I guess it will be like some sort of justification. A repayment for all his love and affection that no one else would give. . . I'd hate for it to end this way . . "
" Are you two coming ?" Li demanded up the hall.
Sakura starred at Eriol, pleading.
" Go on ahead. I'll see what I can do. "
Two tears streaked down her cheek.
"Arigato Hirragizawa - san. " she whispered and he stiffened, remembering the Shielder ways.
" Don't thank me yet. You still have Li to contend with. "
She cringed and he felt guilty for reminding her. She turned and walked back up the hallway towards Li.
Back at the ship . .
Li carried Sakura up the plank to the hutch and then, stepping inside, walked down to E.R. She had collapsed once they had stepped outside and he had picked her up and was now determined to see what was going on.
He layed her down and and placed the monitor over and her and turned it on. He gaped when he saw the abnormality that he had been picking up since her first seizure had almost taken completely over her body. He had no idea what it was. He'd never seen anything like it before. Before he could do anything something exploded outside near the hutch and he took one look at Sakura before grabbing his phaser and running down the hall.
He stopped dead when he saw the figure standing inside his ship watching him intently.
" Nakaru. . " he whispered.
She smirked evilly.
" Surprised to see me? " she asked, eyes twinkling. " I thought I had taken care of you when I locked you up, but your worse than a pest. You simply don't know when to lay down and die do you? " she asked.
" You were the one that had us locked up? "
She laughed.
" Oh yes, of course, your little companion. The one that never gives in and is always giving you information. He's time will come, but for now, I'll have the greatest pleasure of seeing you die. " she whipped out a terribly looking object and Li gasped and ducked behind the wall as she fired it.
The ship vibrated with the force of the explosion and Li cursed. He fired a few rounds and ducked back into the cover of the wall.
" Come out and face me Showron. I'm not afraid of you, why should you be afraid of me? "
" Because you infected most of my family and I had to watch as they died! " he yelled back angrily and fired again, managing to hit the wall beside her.
Nakaru gave a shriek of suprised and glarred firing again.
Sakura stood stunned. That's why he had been after her. She had done just what the Controllers had done to her family.
Having heard voices, Sakura had got up and followed them, only to witness what had transpired between them. She stood rooted to the spot in her cover as she watched the woman try to kill Syaoran.
" No. " she whispered afraid. She didn't want any of it to end like this. Li had to live. He had too!
She struggled back into her cover and walked back to the vault. She knew the codes and she punched them in and looked up at the weapons he had. She knew she needed something lethal. She didn't have much time and she would only have one chance. She grabbed a upgraded phaser and charged it. She hoped it would be enough.
Li covered his head as the metal and plexishield casing crumbled over him. He looked up and saw the huge hole in the wall and knew his cover was gone. Nakaru smirked and laughed. " Finally! The end is near for you my foe. "
" Wrong! "
They both jumped and looked over to where Sakura stood, panting, and aiming the phaser at Nakaru.
" I won't let you hurt Syaoran. "
Li's eyes widened. Nakaru laughed. " And who is this? " she asked laughing. " Another little stray that he has picked up on the street? "
" No. " she said glarring. " A friend. Something you obviously don't have. " she spat.
Nakaru stopped laughing and glarred viciously at her.
" Little bitch. " she spat. " I'll take the both of you out in the same breath. "
" Sakura watch out! " Li said yelled fearfully.
Nakaru fired and spilt seconds later, so did Sakura.
Something slammed into Sakura forcefully, knocking the wind out of her as she hit the floor. Their was a huge explosion and then there was nothing. . . .
To Be Contiued . . .
Please review.
Two Cycles Later . . .
She was hot. Burning. Sakura wrenched away her sheets and gasped for breath, trying to cool her burning skin. She staggered to her feet and dragged herself towards the lav. She needed a cold shower. She needed it badly.
Emerging into the hallway, she leaned against the wall, and rested her aching body and head. She felt so dizzy. She had seen the bruises more clearly today than two days before. They had spread across her stomach. She stumbled towards the cockpit and sagged into the chair groaning as pain lanced across her stomach.
" If I had known it would end this way, " she gasped. " I would have left long before this, reguardless of loving Li or not. " she whispered. She closed her eyes, fighting tears. " No, " she mumbled a few minutes later. " I would have told him first. "
She was unaware of how much time went past as she sat there, but when she opened her eyes, she felt a little better. She checked the co-ordinates and saw that it wasn't too much farther to Sonoma. She sighed deeply. Not much longer she thought. She should be there by tomorrow morning, hopefully.
Until then . . . she could only wait . . . and hope . . .
Later that day . . .
" Bingo. " Eriol smirked triumphantly.
" Where? " Li said running to his side.
" Sonoma. " Eriol clarified. " Strange. I thought you said she was heading to Zirak? "
Li clenched his fists. " She obviously lied. . "
Eriol shot him a sympathetic look.
" I don't want your pity Hirragizawa. " Li snapped not looking at him.
Eriol shrugged. " Suit yourself. "
"Just hurry up and get us there. The sooner I can strangle her the better. " Li bit out.
Eriol shot him a look and mentally shook his head.
Sakura asked for clearance, and was granted. She docked the ship and gathered her pack and made sure Kero was tucked safely away. She hated leaving the female Lanrax, but it was not hers to take, and she was sure Li would take care of it. She staggered to the hutch and keyed in the code and sighed as she stepped out onto Sonoma.
She hefted her pack and walked down to the dock, making sure to close the ship up tight. She didn't want any others stealing Li's ship. It was bad enough that she had done so. She walked through the busy streets, calming herself when she thought another attack would start. Kero twittered away in her pack and she had to smile. It was just like the old days. She hid in the shadows of the dark side street, trying to catch her breath and fight the urge to throw up. " Oh Kero . . " she breathed. " I don't . . think . . . we're going . . to make . . it. . . " she slid to the ground and sucumbed to the dark.
" . . she has long honey brown hair, green eyes - no, emerald green eyes. So high . . . about up to my shoulder. "
Eriol sat back and watched with some amusement as Li described Sakura to the station police.
" Poor pilgrim . . " he muttered with a smirk. He wondered if he should tell Li about the little incident with his vault, but voted against it. He was already furious.
" I'll send a picture of her through. " he clicked off the screen and typed away and then sighed and turned around to face Eriol. His gaze darkened.
" Something amuses you? "
Eriol smirked and his eyes danced with laughter. " Oh, no. Just thinking about everything. "
They had found the ship, and Li had stormed inside in such a rage, that it took him a few moments to realise that it was empty. Sakura had gone. Li had checked everything, finding everything as it had been when he had left. She hadn't taken anything.
" This has really got you going hasn't it old man? " Eriol asked smiling.
" Mind your own business. " Li snapped starting to pace. " Why would she steal my ship, but take nothing from it? It's obviously she had all the codes. " he stopped pacing and went to the control panel typing away.
" I'll be damned. " he muttered starring in disbelief at the decoding program. " Smart pilgrim. " Eriol stated over Li's shoulder. " Didn't know she had it in her. "
Li growled and slammed his fist down on the control panel.
" Blazing Hells! Where is she?! "
Sakura turned around the corner and stopped when someone yelled: " Stop! "
Fear seized her and watched as Sonoma law enforcement ran towards her. Oh Spirit! Li had reported her!
She fled. She ducked under crates and ran down alleys. Hoping she would lose them. She stumbled more times than she would have liked with her leg, but she didn't have time to waste. If only she could get to the medical facility! She saw it standing tall and proud in front of her and Hope surged through her, only to be crushed when giant hands grabbed the back of her tunic and a sharp pain exploded in the back of her head.
Her world went dark.
" Where is she? " Li demanded as they stood in the port teminal.
" She was seized only a few moments ago. They should be bringing her in any time about now. " the man behind the desk replied steadily. " Do you wish to see the accused? "
" Hai. " Li said calmly, keeping check of his self control.
Eriol stood behind him watching silently.
" Name? " the man asked.
" Li Showron. This is my co-worker Eriol Hirragizawa. " Li replied.
The man's face altered for just a moment before he looked calmly back at Li. Li felt a tingle go up his spine. Somethng was wrong.
Suddenly hands seized him and pulled his hands behind his back. " Hey! What's going on?!! " Li demanded angrily.
Eriol was cursing in his native language as he was seized as well.
" Sorry Captain Showron. " the man said smirking evilly. " I've had several reports about you. It would seem that you've been involved with several mishaps in the last week. Some which your friend there, " he indicated Eriol, " has helped you get away with. We believe your little friend that was just captured may be apart of some other alligations we recieved this morning. "
" Your crazy! " Li yelled as he was dragged down the corridor! " I've done nothing wrong! "
" Save it Showron. " the man called back. " Anything you say may be used against you and you companions. "
Sakura huddled cold and alone in the dark corner of her cell. They had taken her back pack and Kero along with it, refusing the little creature to be with her. She shuddered and started to cry. Li had reported her. It was like a knife blade in her heart. Surely he would have found his ship? She hadn't taken anything. She had hoped that he would forget all about he and move on. But he hadn't. She clenched her teeth as more pain spread through her gut. She cried out and choked with the pain. She fell to the floor and convulsed painfully.
" Put him in there. " the guard indicated the empty cell. " Let the other one keep him company. "
Li thought they were going to put Eriol in with him, but they marched him down the corridor, leaving him alone in the dirty cell.
" Why did they say other one? " he wondered and then he heard the laboured breathing and turned to stare into the darkness.
" Who's there? " he demanded.
It was quiet and then he heard a very faint sound. " L-Li . . . ? "
Li moved over and rolled the body over. It gasped and shuddered as if in pain. " You! " Li seethed.
Sakura gasped and slowly moved herself into sitting position.
" What are you doing here " she asked softly.
" That's what I'd like to know. " Li bit out glarring at her. " What? Couldn't get away fast enough? "
She cringed and looked down.
" I didn't want to . . you have to under- stand. " she choked out.
Li scanned her quickly. What was wrong with her?
" I d-did what I-I had to. " she breathed.
" What's wrong with you? " Li demanded angrily. Then he smirked. " What get a little roughed up when they caught you? I bet you didn't expect to get caught did you you little theif. "
" It's not like that! " Sakura said fighting with all her strength to make him see. " I had to get here. "
" Ah yes. Sonoma instead of Zirak. I'd like to know what the real story is. Why don't you tell me? Looks like neither of us are going anywhere. "
She looked up and him in the darkness and then away. " I can't. You wouldn't . . understand. "
Li laughed coldly and she cringed. " Try me. "
" I can't! Ahh! " she fell forward clutching her stomach in pain.
Li smirked. " I'm not falling for your little acts anymore. I'm not rushing to your side. Your on your own. "
Sakura fell to the cold, dirty floor and gasped for breath. She had to get out of here.
Later that night . .
" Bring him this way. "
Sakura woke when she heard the guards bringing in another prisoner. She heard Li shift restlessly beside her and she looked as they brought the man down. He was tall, dark hair and she gasped!
" Tori! " she breathed unable to scream.
Li tensed and looked at her and she scrambled to her knees, crawling towards the bars.
" Oh, Spirit no! " she breathed. She couldn't let him know that she was here. She couldn't let him know that she had failed.
" Another of your companions? " Li asked snidely.
Sakura horrorfied eyes watched as he was placed inside a cell. She pulled away and rested her head on the cold cement. She didn't care anymore. Li could torment her, but she didn't care. Let him see me fall, she thought.
Li watched from the shadows as she leant her head to the floor. What was wrong with her? She was in the light now. And he realised that she looked terrible. Her hair was mattered and she was pale. She looked like death. She looked up and sighed. She gathered her feet and rose, standing on shaky legs.
" What are you - ? " Li asked watching her.
" Tori. " she whispered. " Oh Tori. " she faced the bars and grim determination replaced pain.
" Sakura no. " Li said jumping to his feet, but it was too late.
" Let me out! " she cried, gripping the bars. The electric current shot through her like a razor blade, shocking her. She felt something pull her back, and she let go weakly.
" Are you insane? Do you want to be fried? " Li yelled angrily helping her kneel to the floor.
She was spanting, but what bothering him was how badly she was shaking.
" What's gotten into you? " he demanded quietely, making sure no guards had come.
She clenched her teeth and met his gaze and he staggered back at the pain the was flashing wildly in her wide emerald eyes, dull and burning with fever.
" You must help . . " she gasped. " Tori . . he - he doesn't . . deserve to be . . in here. Get him . . get him out. . " she pleaded and fell backwards hitting the stone floor with a thump. Li went to reach for her, but she cried out, her back arching high off the floor with pain. She screamed, but Li covered her mouth desperately trying not to bring any attention to them.
" You're burning up. " he stated shocked. He moved to the corner and looked in the water trough. It wasn't the best, but it was cold.
He helped her sit up, gently easing her onto his lap, and then brushed cold water over her face and neck. He helped her drink a little and she sighed and fell into a troubled sleep. Li looked down at her. Something was terribly wrong.
Sakura woke and found Li beside her, watching her intently. When he saw that she was awake, he reached out to place his hand on her forehead to see if the fever had broken. Sakura's eyes flarred wide with panic and she pushed him heavily away from her and pushed herself up against the stone wall.
" Oh, Spirit don't touch me! " she cried, holding her head in her hands. " Please don't touch me. " she sobbed.
Li starred at in her in surprise.
" Sakura, what's wrong? " he asked softly.
Her only answer was to wail, rocking herself back and forth. Li watched her. Had she gone mad? It was almost like she didn't want to be near him. Had he caused her to turn from him with the way he had treated her?
Some hours later . . .
Li must have dosed because he came awake with a jolt and became aware of his surroundings and scowled. How long did they plan to keep him in here with no proof that he had done the alligations they'd set against him. He looked over to Sakura to find her alseep once again. He moved closer to look on her. One of the tuics arms had ridden up to her elbow and his eyes widened when he saw the dark bruises down her arms. Where had she got them? He didn't recall seeing them before.
Just then a shadow stood in front of his cell and he looked up with a ready glare. A guard returned the glare, but Li was surprised to see Eriol standing behind him.
" Surprised to see me old man? " he smirked.
" How the hell did you -? " Li asked standing up.
" I have a few favours that needed collecting. This is one of them. "
The guard grunted his disapproval, but slid back the door and stood aside for Li to walk out.
" The other one too. " the guard said gruffly.
" That one's up to you old man. " Eriol said looking at the figure in the corner.
Li paused and then nodded. He bent down and nudged Sakura. She groaned and slowly awoke and when she saw Li she freaked and plastered herself against the wall.
" Easy. " Li soothed. " We're free to go. Stand up. "
" Free to go? " she repeated stunned. " But - "
" Do you want to get out of here or not? " Li asked impatiently.
She grunted and tried to stand, but her knees kept buckling. Li made a noise of agitation and reached down and helped her up dispite her objections.
He helped her out of the cell and looked up when Eriol gasped and stepped back, going pale.
" What's wrong? "
Eriol's eyes widened, still starring at Sakura. He took another step back.
Sakura's groaned and managed to lift her head enough to stare at Eriol. She knew he knew. He was after all, a Shielder as well. She begged with her eyes not to let her secret known.
' Please. . ' she mouthed.
"N-Nothing. " Eriol managed, not meeting Li's eyes. " It's nothing. "
Li frowned and made sure Sakura could stand on her own feet before he took a step back glarring at the guard.
" Let's get out of here. I don't want to spend anymore time here. " he said and walked away.
Sakura sighed tiredly and turned to walk after him.
" Sakura. " She turned around and faced Eriol. He was still a small distance apart from him, but she could see his fear.
" Hai. . " she whispered. " I've been infected. "
He gasped and stepped back further.
" That's why I needed so desperately to get here . . "
" The medical facilty. " he said realising the connection.
Sakura nodded.
" By the Spirit. . " he breathed.
Just then Sakura realised and gasped. Tori!
" Oh no! Eriol please, I need your help! " she pleaded weakly.
" Why should I help you?! " he demanded coldly. " Your an outcast, and your infected! "
" I did it to try and save them! " she bit back with some strength in her voice. " I did it to save them! "
He watched her carefully.
" What do I owe you? " he finally asked.
" Your not the one that owes anyone anything. " she said. " I owe you for many things, but I have nothing to give you, and in a few more hours I'll be dead. My brother was the tall man with black hair and dark eyes who was brought in here. "
" I know he's a Shielder. " Eriol replied.
" Please. He's the only family that carred. " she cried brokenly. " He would never have done anything to deserve to be trapped in here. Get him out Eriol. Please get him out. I can never repay him either, but maybe, if you can get him out, then I guess it will be like some sort of justification. A repayment for all his love and affection that no one else would give. . . I'd hate for it to end this way . . "
" Are you two coming ?" Li demanded up the hall.
Sakura starred at Eriol, pleading.
" Go on ahead. I'll see what I can do. "
Two tears streaked down her cheek.
"Arigato Hirragizawa - san. " she whispered and he stiffened, remembering the Shielder ways.
" Don't thank me yet. You still have Li to contend with. "
She cringed and he felt guilty for reminding her. She turned and walked back up the hallway towards Li.
Back at the ship . .
Li carried Sakura up the plank to the hutch and then, stepping inside, walked down to E.R. She had collapsed once they had stepped outside and he had picked her up and was now determined to see what was going on.
He layed her down and and placed the monitor over and her and turned it on. He gaped when he saw the abnormality that he had been picking up since her first seizure had almost taken completely over her body. He had no idea what it was. He'd never seen anything like it before. Before he could do anything something exploded outside near the hutch and he took one look at Sakura before grabbing his phaser and running down the hall.
He stopped dead when he saw the figure standing inside his ship watching him intently.
" Nakaru. . " he whispered.
She smirked evilly.
" Surprised to see me? " she asked, eyes twinkling. " I thought I had taken care of you when I locked you up, but your worse than a pest. You simply don't know when to lay down and die do you? " she asked.
" You were the one that had us locked up? "
She laughed.
" Oh yes, of course, your little companion. The one that never gives in and is always giving you information. He's time will come, but for now, I'll have the greatest pleasure of seeing you die. " she whipped out a terribly looking object and Li gasped and ducked behind the wall as she fired it.
The ship vibrated with the force of the explosion and Li cursed. He fired a few rounds and ducked back into the cover of the wall.
" Come out and face me Showron. I'm not afraid of you, why should you be afraid of me? "
" Because you infected most of my family and I had to watch as they died! " he yelled back angrily and fired again, managing to hit the wall beside her.
Nakaru gave a shriek of suprised and glarred firing again.
Sakura stood stunned. That's why he had been after her. She had done just what the Controllers had done to her family.
Having heard voices, Sakura had got up and followed them, only to witness what had transpired between them. She stood rooted to the spot in her cover as she watched the woman try to kill Syaoran.
" No. " she whispered afraid. She didn't want any of it to end like this. Li had to live. He had too!
She struggled back into her cover and walked back to the vault. She knew the codes and she punched them in and looked up at the weapons he had. She knew she needed something lethal. She didn't have much time and she would only have one chance. She grabbed a upgraded phaser and charged it. She hoped it would be enough.
Li covered his head as the metal and plexishield casing crumbled over him. He looked up and saw the huge hole in the wall and knew his cover was gone. Nakaru smirked and laughed. " Finally! The end is near for you my foe. "
" Wrong! "
They both jumped and looked over to where Sakura stood, panting, and aiming the phaser at Nakaru.
" I won't let you hurt Syaoran. "
Li's eyes widened. Nakaru laughed. " And who is this? " she asked laughing. " Another little stray that he has picked up on the street? "
" No. " she said glarring. " A friend. Something you obviously don't have. " she spat.
Nakaru stopped laughing and glarred viciously at her.
" Little bitch. " she spat. " I'll take the both of you out in the same breath. "
" Sakura watch out! " Li said yelled fearfully.
Nakaru fired and spilt seconds later, so did Sakura.
Something slammed into Sakura forcefully, knocking the wind out of her as she hit the floor. Their was a huge explosion and then there was nothing. . . .
To Be Contiued . . .
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