CHAPTER 20

Natashia sat at her desk drumming her fingers with irritation. She was positive that her plan was foolproof. She was sure that her daughter would be standing right beside her at this point in time. But she was wrong. That's why she called in backup. Natashia finally realized that her one and only daughter wouldn't be joining her. She also realized that yes Sakura did want her dead. Natashia narrowed her eyes. "Family or not, I will not let her stand in the way of my mission." Natashia thought to herself while she drummed on the desk harder with her skinny fingers. There was a knock on the door causing Natashia to look up.

"Come in." Natashia said standing. The door opened and there stood her back up. The only person that would get close enough to Sakura to kill her. Natashia walked around her desk and up to the man. She hugged the man and then pulled away smiling.

"Hello Eli. It is very good to see you." Natashia said. The man now identified as Eli smiled also.

"Yes aunt Natashia, it's been a long time." Eli said putting his hands on his aunt's shoulders. Natashia smiled widely. .

"I have a mission for you nephew, one that means a great deal to me. I need you to find your cousin Sakura and kill her. I gave her the chance of joining and she refused. Her friend was bitten; she should be turning into one of us in about 13 hours maybe less. Before killing Sakura give Sakura the privilege to kill her friend. Now go Eli, go complete this mission and I will raise your status, from nothing to partner. Call me when you have her in your sights, I want to watch her die." Natashia finished with clenched fists. Eli nodded and walked out of the room. Natashia went to her bar table and poured herself the best blood she had. It was soon time to celebrate.

Sakura sat on the floor watching Madison while everyone tried their best to get some sleep. They all had a rough night and all were pretty tired. Sakura flipped threw the channels on the TV while Li slept with his head on her lap. Sakura played with his brown hair unknowingly while she stiffened back a yawn that threatened to escape her lips. She was about to take a big gulp of her drink when the couch that Madison lay on started moving. Sakura looked up to see Madison having convulsions. She was starting to change. Sakura woke up Li and then went to Madison's side. Madison's eyes rolled to the back of her head while blood started seeping out of her mouth. When Sakura looked in Madison's mouth closer, she could see that Madison had started to grow her vampire fangs.

"Shit." Sakura said out loud. She never witnessed a human change into a vampire before. The scene itself was almost disturbing for the normal eye to witness. Sakura herself has seen things others couldn't possibly handle.

"What the fuck is she doing?" Meilien yelled in a panic. Sakura didn't flinch. They were becoming afraid. Something she guessed would be expected of them.

"Sakura make her stop doing that." Li said grabbing Sakura'shand gently. Sakura sighed. They didn't understand at all on what they were asking her to do.

"The only way for me to make her stop with the convulsions is to stake her. That'll kill Madison and any chance we had on saving her from becoming one of them." Sakura said. Li and Meilien looked at her shockingly.

"My god." Li whispered as Madison's head started to slowly stop jerking around. Sakura sighed. It seemed like she was done for the time being. But Sakura didn't know when she would start again.

"I'm going to go talk to someone that might know the cure. Meilien stay here and watch Madison. If for some reason I don't make it back in time, you must stake her. If you don't, she'll kill you." Sakura said throwing Meilien a stake. Meilien gulped and slowly nodded. Sakura turned and started for the door when Li grabbed her hand, holding her back.

"What about me, what am I to do?" Li asked pulling Sakura close to him. Sakura frowned. She then put her hands on both sides of his face and looked deeply into his eyes.

"I want you to stay here and stay alive. Don't come out looking for me, I'm not sure if I'll make it back." Sakura said. Li shook his head quickly, refusing to accept anything Sakura was saying.

"You will come back Sakura. You'll come back to your friends and me. Then, you and I will finally be together. I love you Sakura and I'll fight a whole damn army of those bastards just as long as I can be with you at the end." Li said gently stroking her cheek. Sakura smiled gently. She leaned in and gently kissed Li on the lips. Meilien watched as the couple said good-bye. She hoped for Madison and Li's sake that she came back before the 11 hours were up. The clock was ticking.