Episode Twelve: Who's to Blame?

"Is this what you wanted, master?" One of the council members asked. The master was sitting in a red armchair that suited him comfortably. His eyes flared at the "useless" question and spoke with anger that made all the council members shudder in fear.

"Of course it's not what I wanted you stupid creature!" He roared. "I wanted her dead! Did you hear me? I SAID DEAD! But no, the strongest magicans in the world can't fight the powers of one angel? ONE?!!?"

"She is very powerful... next time we'll be ready," one of the council members assured him.

"Next time? Do you already have another course of action that can be taken?" He asked.

"Yes... we know much about the girl. Her dreams, her hobbies, her feelings but most importantly... her weakness."

"Weakness?" The master said sarcasticly. "She has only one?"

"Well... yes. Over the years she has gained much courage but there is one thing she will never over come and that is her fear of..."

"Heights?" The master guessed. The council man shook his head and tried to continue but the master intruppted him again.

"No... let me guess. Bugs? You know those gigantic spiders?" The council man shook his head once again and finally let the word out.

"Ghosts." He said simply.

"I knew that..." muttered the master. "I was just testing you."

"Uhh... of course master," the council man said, unsure if that was the master's true intentions.

The angel was right, Sakura didn't want to open her eyes to the world but she knew she would have to eventually.

It was the like the whole world was in slow motion as Sakura slowly opened her eyes and instead of noticing the hospital she noticed all her friends sitting in chairs around the edge of the bed.

Sakura must have been unconsious for a long time because everybody was fast asleep. As she moved her arms to wake everybody up she felt a strong weight on her left hand. She looked over and saw Li sleeping on her hand. She giggled and that woke him up instantly.

"Sakura?" He said in pure delight. Sakura nodded and smiled brightly at him. She was feeling so fresh and felt no pain... or maybe she was just numb.

Before Sakura could ask him everything that happened, although she had a pretty clear idea on how she got on a hospital bed, Li slowly wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a passioniate hug.

"I was so worried," Li explained. "I was afraid I lost you." Sakura hugged Li back and was happy that he cared so much for her.

"I'm so amazed that all my friends are here! You guys are the best!" Sakura exclaimed as soon as the hug ended. Li had warmed Sakura up and she was feeling even more cheerful than before.

I'm so lucky to have such great friends...

"Oh my gosh!!!" Sakura exclaimed, with a look of terror that washed over her face. Li broke into a fit of panic and asked if everything was okay.

"No!! Where's my father and my brother?" Sakura shouted. Suddenly all her friends slowly woke up and started surrounding Sakura with thousands of questions.

"How are you feeling?" Madison asked.

"I'm so glad you're awake!! Now can you please explain to me what happened?" Rita asked, confused.

"Yes, do tell. The nurses or doctors wouldn't say a word," Nikki explained. Sakura was overwhelmed and luckily Li saved her.

"Maybe we should leave Sakura alone for a while... I don't know... maybe give her a place to breath!?" Li said sarcasticly and everybody rolled their eyes.

"C'mon let's go find her something to eat," Li suggested. With his quick thinking the crowd of people filed out of the room and Li quickly remarked before leaving.

"Your family is alright. They woke up a while ago and are in stable condition. Although the doctors say that Tori may have broken his back, they are still running some tests."

Sakura mouthed a thank you and leaned against the pillow and sighed.

I'm happy my father's okay... but what about Tori? I'm so worried...

She recalled the encounter she had with her angelic mother and tears stung her eyes at the thought of seeing her mother.

She hasn't changed.. she looks excatly the same.

Only then did Sakura remember the necklace her mother had given her... but in the real world was it still grasped the in the palm of her hand? She opened up her hand and saw the heart necklace gleaming in the light.

I still have it.. and I'll cherish it forever.

As she rested her head and tried falling asleep again she was awake because the sound of footsteps echoed in her room.

"Dad?" Sakura said, looking up at her dad walking slowly to the chair near her bedside.

"Hi Sakura, how are you?" He asked.

"I'm okay," Sakura replied simply. Aiden settled in the chair and didn't look up at Sakura as he spoke.

"I-I'm sorry, its all my fault that we're all in the hospital. If I just grabbed the steering wheel at the last minute..."

"No! Please don't say that!" Sakura pleaded but her father shook his head.

"Don't deny it, it's all my fault," he said sadly. Sakura felt frustrated and wanted to yell something out but her father already had enough of that from Tori.

"Daddy... please.. don't say say that!" Sakura said softly. "Just.. don't."

"Alright... Sakura. I won't say anymore, but it's what I truely believe." Those were the last words Aiden said before he left the room.

I know it's not my father's fault. But who's to blame?