Ying Fa knew that it was uncustomary and most definitely rude to just walk into someone's home, but it didn't stop her as she dumped her travel bag in the foyer and marched into the tea room where she knew someone was bound to be.
Meilin looked up startled and blinked clearly surprised when she saw the young woman place her hand on her hip. Ying Fa swept the room with her gaze and then met Meilin's.
" Where is Yelan-sama? "
" Aunty Yelan? " she asked standing up. " Has something happened to Li? " Ying Fa rolled her eyes.
" No. And I couldn't care less if it did. I am done and finished with him. " she marched out of the room.
" What on earth has happened now? " she wondered aloud.
Sakura found Wei upstairs and ignored his startled start at her appearance. She asked him where Yelan was and he pointed down the hall towards one of the dressing rooms. Sakura knocked and then pushed the doors open.
" Ying Fa? " Yelan asked surprised. Fanren and the other three sisters looked up and smiled. They were all trying on new clothes, tape measures and pins laying scattered around them.
" Aunty Yelan, " Ying Fa said. " I need to talk to you in private if I may. Please? " Yelan knew something was up and nodded.
" Girls excuse us. We won't be long. "
Ying Fa followed her down the hall and Yelan opened another door and stepped aside so she could walk in. It was her study.
Ying Fa looked at all the books and then sat down on the chair near the desk.
" It's over. " she said before Yelan could say anything. " The older woman balked and fell back into her chair.
" O-Over? "
" Li has kicked me out for real this time, and I don't want to go back. "
" But Ying Fa - " her eyes were dark with anger and concern.
" I've decided that I have to go back home. "
" What! " Yelan gasped.
" I met up with Tori the other day - it's a long story. Anyway, he's going back to Japan and so am I. "
" But the risk. " Yelan protested. " Without Li - "
" I have to deal with that. Li can't protect me in this. I lied to him and not only do I feel horrorble about myself for doing so, I can't keep doing it to him. He has a right to know what is going on, but I can't tell him. He doesn't understand that and I hate not being able to when I want to confide in him. "
Yelan was silent for a while looking at the young woman across from her.
" Is there anything that I can do for you one last time then? "
In the shadows in the hallway, ruby eyes, brightened by the light coming through the lock, blinked and held her breath as she continued to listen to the two talk.
" I think what you have done for me is enough. I can't thank you enough as it is. "
" Well I can certainly buy your plane ticket and get you to the airport, " she looked down and smiled. " And I don't want to be thanked. I was only glad that I could help in a small way. " Sakura nodded and stood.
" I'd be greatful if it could be arranged for today, tonight. I want to be gone before tomorrow. " Yelan nodded.
" Anything else? "
" Yes. Thank you for lending me all that you did. I couldn't bring it with me. You'll have to get Li to bring it back, Kami forbid, he'd want to do anything more for me. " she smiled sadly.
" I arrange it immediately. " Yelan stood and came around the desk and hugged her. " Good luck. "
" Thanks and goodbye . . " she walked out of the room and went down the hallway.
Meilin stood hidden in the shadows and waited until her aunt joined her cousins once again, before she fled down to the foyer. She went out to the garage and got into her car and drove down the road and pulled out her phone. It rang several times before Mika answered.
" Hello? "
" Mika, are you there with Li? " she asked as she pulled over.
" Yeah, he just went to get coffee. He'll be back soo - here he comes now. What's up? "
" Mika, put this on speaker and close the door. I don't want anyone else hearing. " she heard him tell Li something in the back ground and then she heard a click and Li spoke up.
" What's up Mei? "
" Li, what happened between you and Ying Fa? " she asked clutching the phone to her ear. She heard his guarded silence and waited.
" Li? "
" Why Meilin? " Mika spoke up.
" Because she is here with Aunty Yelan and they were talking about stuff I didn't understand, but apart from that, Ying Fa is going home and Aunty Yelan is paying for her plane ticket so she can go tonight. "
" What! " she heard Li choke out.
" That's kind of sudden isn't it? " Mika asked.
" Uh huh. Look, I like Ying Fa and I felt terrible for listening through the lock - "
" Some things never surprise me. " Li cut in dryly and she told him to shut up.
" What I was saying before someone had to butt in, was they were talking about some strange stuff. "
" Like what? " Mika prodded.
" I don't know. Maybe Li might understand. They were talking about how Ying Fa didn't want to lie to Li anymore and that she felt horrible for doing it, that she couldn't do it anymore, and that was why she wanted to go back to her home tonight. "
There was a silence.
" Does it make any sense down there? " she asked.
" Yes. " Li said guardedly.
" Was there anything else Mei? " Mika asked.
" Hmmm . . Ying Fa said something about going back to Japan; I take it that that's her home originally. They were talking before that, but I missed some of it. "
" Is she still there? " Li asked.
" I believe so. I left so I could talk it over with you guys, only because Li is her gardian and he had a right to know that she was here after he kicked her out and all. "
" Don't get into things you don't understand Meilin. " Li shot back warningly.
" I was just saying. " she shot back defensively. " Anyway, Aunty Yelan I believe, will be getting someone down there to retrive the rest of her things tomorrow. And Li? "
" What? "
" I don't know what happened earlier, but I think you hurt Ying Fa really badly. "
" How do you figure? " Li ground out.
" Because I heard it in her voice. " she replied and sighed. " I better go. Bye. "
Meilin hung up and sighed again. What was going on? she wondered.
Shanghai . .
Li got up as Mika hung up from Meilin. He grabbed his jacket and marched towards the door.
" I'm going to go ask Jhiang for another couple of weeks off. "
" You're not going to follow her are you? " Mika asked frowning. " Li, she - "
" I know, I know. " Li said looking back over his shoulder. " But I have to make sure she gets there all right. "
" She'll kill you you know. " Mika replied.
" She won't even know I am there. " he said and walked out towards Jhong's office.
Mika sighed and shook his head. There were just some days that you wished you could understand family.
Later that night . .
Li towled his now black hair dry, and tried to tidy it with a comb. He was unsuccessful. Swearing, he dialled home and waited until Wei picked up.
" Li residence . . " Wei began.
" Wei, I want to know what flight Ying Fa is getting on, where she is heading in Japan and when she is leaving. " Li cut him off.
" Li-sama, I - "
" I promise I won't say that you were the one that gave it to me. " Li replied and pulled the white t-shirt over his head.
" But if Miss Ying Fa found out - "
" Please Wei. " Li said shrugging into the leather jacket. " Please do this for me. "
" Alright. " Wei sighed coming to a decision and told him.
" Thanks Wei. I owe you. " Li hung up and grabbed his bag and ran down the stairs to his car.
He just hoped he wouldn't be too late. . .
People bustled about everywhere and Ying Fa had to fight through the busy crowd towards the line for the boarding gate. Even at night it was so busy! Shouldering her bag again, she headed towards the boarding gate, her passport, (that Yelan had sent for and recieved from Tomoyo, sent over on her private jet) and her ticket in hand. She made sure to look around her and make sure that she wasn't being followed. She suppressed the urge to laugh out loud. Why on earth would Li follow her all the way from Shanghai? The very thought was ludicrous!
The flight attendant checked her passport and smiled at her.
" Welcome aboard Miss Avalon. We hope you enjoy your flight. "
" Arigato. " Sakura said and boarded the plane, walking down the isle until she found her seat.
She looked out the window and missed the dark haired man walking passed her and taking his seat a few rows behind her. She rested her chin on the palm of her hand and sighed.
I'm coming Tori. she thought. Hold on. Then she rested her head back and slept.
She woke when the plane was about to land. She fastened her buckle and closed her eyes as the plane came to a stop. She soon found herself in a taxi and heading towards her home. When they rounded a corner and she saw that she was so close, excitement built in her and she felt that she could run the rest of the way on swift feet.
She didn't even notice the other taxi that had followed them from the airport. It was pitch black when she stepped out of the taxi and stood once more at her front gate. The lights were off in the yellow house and she sighed with relief. She felt the hairs of her neck bristle and she whipped around, but there was no one there. Glancing around nervously, she shouldered her travel bag and started climbing up the tree that lead to her bedroom window.
She opened her window and jumped inside. It was dark, but the familar smells of home and comfort rose to meet her and she couldn't stop her throat from tightening and tears welling up to cloud her vision. She wiped them away and walked out of her room and headed towards the stairs and noticed that the study light was on. Tou-san was home!
Suddenly the kitchen light came on and she stopped, listening. There were voices. Creeping on silent feet, she walked down the stairs and heard, rather than saw, that her father was talking to someone on the phone. She had no idea who he would be talking to at this hour, but she crept forward a little more and saw that her father had his back to her and wouldn't be able to see her until he turned around.
" Hai, hai. I know. When will you be coming home Tori? " Sakura balked.
" Tori? " she spoke without thinking.
Aiden wipped around dropping the phone. He starred at her and she bit her lip. She hadn't meant to startle him so. She could hear Tori's voice speaking but they didn't pay any attention to it.
" Ohayo tou-san. " she mumbled looking up and meeting his gaze.
" Sakura-chan? " Aiden breathed daring not to believe it.
What! Tori's voice yelled. What the hell are you doing there Sakura-chan!
Aiden walked forward and lifted her chin a little so he could meet her eyes.
" Sakura-chan. " he smiled.
" Hai. I'm home tou-san. " she replied softly. She yelped when Aiden picked her up and swung her round the living room in a tight hug.
They laughed and she cried happily. Aiden realising that he had abandoned his son, he reached down picking up the phone and stopped the tirade that was happening. Little were they aware of the curious amber eyes looking through the gap in the curtains from outside.
Sakura climbed the stairs tiredly and walked into her darkened room. She didn't dare turn on the light, but she shed the last of Meilin's old clothes and got into her pj's. She lifted her window and looked out at the star-light sky. The moon was high above in the sky and she watched it silently. When her eyes started to droop, she sighed and ducked back inside and closed the window and locked it.
She fell asleep as soon as her head fell on the pillow. She hadn't realised how much she had missed home until she was back here and reminded of all that she had.
Tori was livid. He had told her to stay with the cop, and what does she do? She runs away and follows him! Luna watched his tirade which continued after he had finished the phone call and waited for him to calm down. So the little sister had followed them; she had half expected it. So far from what she had seen, Tori's little sister was a lot like her older brother. No wonder they clashed.
" I can't believe it! " he seethed for the millionth time.
" Well she is here and apart from kid-knapping her and sending her back to the cop, you can't get rid of her. You can't force someone from there home Tori. "
" Hah! " he shot back sarcastically. " So much for that huh? Look what happened to us! " Luna refused to flinch so she met his gaze calmly.
" You can't help what happened Tori. " she said. " Now you just have to set it right. For you and your family. "
" But if they get their hands on Sakura - "
" Then we'll have to make sure she stays far away and we do what we have to before she has a chance to find out about it. Ok? " Tori deflated and sighed. He ran is hand through his messy locks and she smiled.
" Now I'm going to bed. " she got up and walked over toward her bed in the motel room. " Don't be up too late. "
She switched off the light and snuggled down into her bed, looking out at the moonlit night.
" Luna? " he sat on the edge of her bed and she looked up at him.
" Hmmmm? "
" It will work out in the end won't it? " he asked. She sat up and raised her knees to her chest.
" I can't promise you anything. " she whispered, guilt rushing up to claim her. " No one can predict what will happen. " He was silent for a while and she looked away thinking her own thoughts.
" I guess I never got to thank you. " he suddenly said and she looked back at him.
" For what? " He frowned.
" For everything that you've done for me and Sakura. " She licked her dry lips and nodded.
" I just hope everything turns out ok for everyone. " she replied and he reached out and grasped the back of her neck and she gaped silently.
He drew her to him and lowered his mouth down on hers. As he kissed her, her hand came up to rest on his shoulder and she drew him closer to her. She'd never been kissed like this before. So sweet and giving. Never would she have imagined that this dark angel would think anything of her; a young girl from the wrong side of everything.
He drew away and said goodnight. She swallowed hard and tried to clear her thoughts. She rolled over and spent the better part of the night thinking about things she wished she could change.
Two Days Later . . .
Li flicked his long bangs out of his eyes. He was going to have to go and get his hair cut. It was starting to annoy him. He lowered his dark sun glasses and looked around the corner. Ying Fa was walking down the street, her red hair glinted in the weak sunlight. He started following her again and knew that he was going to have to confront her sooner or later. He had a few questions that he'd like to ask her.
He'd been watching her every time she left the house and even then, when she was inside. He walked behind her and made sure not to lose sight of her. He stopped when he realised where she was going. She stopped on the stairs of the big university and didn't go any further. Every day she had come here, and every time she would look as if she wanted to go inside and then she would stop and then walk off, glancing back uncertain.
He pulled out his cell and dialled Mika while he continued to follow her.
" Well look who it is. " Mika drawled annoyingly. " Having fun my friend? "
" Mika shut up. I have something for you to do. You know, the thing that gets you paid. It's called a job. "
" Just as cynical as ever Xiao Lang. Why am I not in the least surprised? "
" Mika! " Li hissed.
" Ok, ok. What do you have for me? " he placated.
" I want you to look up the University of Tomoeda and tell me if anything untoward has happened there in the last year or so. "
" Ok. Get right on it. "
" Good. Call me back when you have something. " he hung up and went and found himself a seat at the cafe when he saw her go into a shop across the street.
To his surprise, his cell rang a minute later, as his coffee arrived by a smiling waitress who gave him the once over and smiled knowingly. Li ignored her and answered the phone.
" That was quick. "
" Yeah well, it was easier than I thought. " Mika replied. Li could hear the frown in his voice.
" What did you find? "
" It would seem that for the past year and a half, artifacts have been mysteriously disappearing from the university of Tomoeda. There is no sign of break and enter, no fingerprints, no trace of where they have gone. There's been no security breach and no one knows where they are and can't seem to get a trace on them. The most recent article to be removed was a million dolllar diamond found in Moscow discovered by Professor Avalon. It would seem that several members of the university seem to hold him responsible for the missing item. Talk about getting everything tied up in knots. Sounds like it could be an inside job. This is one case I hope I don't get involved in. "
" Well maybe you might end up in it. " Li was frowning and nearly missed Ying Fa walking back out of the shop.
" Don't tell me Ying Fa is some how wrapped up in all this? " he groaned.
" Not sure. " Li replied truthfully. " I'll call you when I need you to check something for me. "
" Yeah. Bye. " Mika hung up and Li jumped up and followed after his charge.
The night was cold and their breath came out in little white clouds. They both crouched against the wall of the university and waited. When nothing made a sound, they made their way over to the air vent and Tori went about unscrewing it carefully and as quickly as he could. Together they made their way through the vents and made their way through the maze.
They dropped down into a storage room and looked around quickly. Tori made sure he still had the camera and Luna looked through the glass on the door and made sure no one was about. They opened the door and Luna motioned for him to follow her. Tori frowned and grabbed her arm.
" Where are you going? " he whispered. " We have to go this way. "
" If we go this way, it will go around and come out on the other side of the loading dock. You'll get a better view from that way. "
" I didn't see that. " Tori said his eyes unfathomable in the shadows.
" Well you should have paid more attention to the map. " she shot back and tugged him along with her.
They made their way down the corridors and silently crept into the landing bay area. They crouched down behind the shipping crates and watched as men gathered and talked in the darkness. They laughed and joked and Tori set his camera up and they both watched/filmed as crates were carried up the ramp into the back of the truck. Two men stood on the ground apart from the others smoking. The two that were carrying the current crate yelled out as the crate slipped and fell with a clang in the back of the truck. The struggled to lift it again and their leader cursed them.
" Careful eh! " he yelled. " Unless you want that mummy to jump out and start stealing your organs! " he burst out laughing and yelled out more orders.
" If there's nothing missing tomorrow, then we'll know that this was just an ordinary shipment. We'll come back again and again until we get them. " Tori whispered.
" No we won't. " Luna said back and let go a shrill whistle deciding that it was now or never. Tori gaped at her and clamped his hand down on her mouth.
" What the hell are you doing! " Tori hissed.
Her face was blank as several safety clasps clicked off and they looked up at the guns pointing at them. The men behind them were not happy with the intruders and they wasted no time in dragging the two out from their hiding place and dragging them over into the light. Tori glarred at them and then at Luna. Her purple eyes were blank. She let them hurt her and they waited while one of the men went to get their boss.
Morimoto came striding in several minutes later and eyed the two calmly. His gaze went back to Tori and a feral glint came to their dark depths. Tori was dragged forward a gun aimed at his head and another man stepped forward.
" This is what we found with 'em. " he chucked the video camera to Moto and he caught it and eyed it angrilly.
" You got away with that stunt before Mr Avalon. " he said coldly. " But not again. " His eyes lit up when he spotted Luna.
" Ah! My darling girl. Bring her here so I came look at her. "
" Let me go! " Luna spat as she was dragged forward.
" All in good time my pet. " Moto said as he looked her over.
Her purple eyes came alive with rage.
" We had a deal Moto! Him for my freedom! "
" What! " Tori yelled looking at her in dibelief. He was hit with the butt of the gun and he fell to his knees.
" Indeed, we did. " Moto said looking at Tori on the ground. " Take him to the storage room and tie him up. Make sure you gag him too. I don't want him calling for help. Search him and make sure he has nothing to help him
escape. "
" Yes sir. " one of the men said and Tori was dragged off.
Moto nodded, and Luna was released. She elbowed her captor in the ribs and heard him grunt.
" Swine! " she spat and watched him walk off rubbing his rib cage.
" Careful my dear. You don't want to insult them too much. " Moto cautioned.
" I don't care. " she replied, her eyes darkening. " Are you going to keep the deal? I brought him here, and now I walk free and you have my vow of silence. Just like we agreed. "
" You did managed to bring him back, " he thought rubbing his chin thoughtfully. " But what about the girl? "
Luna stiffened.
" I don't know where she is. Tori didn't mention her often. "
" Are you sure? " Moto asked watching her carefully.
" Yes. He rarely mentioned her. "
" Hmmm. "
" Look are we agreed or what? I don't have time for this! " she snapped.
Morimoto laughed.
" Impatient to be free my dear? "
" Yes. I've had enough. I want to walk away and not think of any of this ever again. "
" Very well. " he patted her on the shoulder and she stepped back. " I'll allow you a few minutes to get your things together and then you can leave. No one will stop you and I advise you do not try to tell anyone of this feat. "
" I may have my moments Moto, but I'm not stupid. " she shot back angrilly and strode down the hall towards his office.
She grabbed her stuff from the draw where she knew he had stored it and turned to find him watching her.
" I'm to congratulate you my dear for what you have done for me. I did have my doubts that you wouldn't bring him back. "
" You're nothing but an arrogant, greedy, selfish kusoyaro. " she snapped and flicked the strap of the bag over her shoulder.
Moto threw his head back and laughed.
" Touche' my dear. " he stepped aside so she could pass. " Oh and do give my regards to him. I will have the guards watch you carefully. " he said and she stopped. He was always one step ahead of her.
" Whatever. " she said and walked down the hall to the storage room.
She handed her bag over to the guards and they made sure she wasn't carrying anything to help the prisoner escape and then she was let in.
Tori looked up as she stepped inside and looked away angrily. He was gagged and handcuffed to the radiator in the corner. She walked forward and the door closed behind her, a faint light coming in from the moon outside. She knelt down in front of him and noticed the blood running down from his temple. She walked over to the crate in the corner and grabbed the glass of water from it.
" Turn you face to me. " she instructed softly and he turned to glare at her with such hatred she tried not to flinch.
She ripped her shirt and dipped a small piece of cloth in the water and started cleaning away the blood. He watched her silently and she could feel the tension radiating from him. He wanted to kill her. When it was clean and she could see no other wounds, she sat back and sighed.
" It's not what you think Tori. " she whispered and he pulled at his chains angrily. Her purple eyes looked up at him with such pleading and misery he settled down and watched her.
" Ever since I can remember, I have been in the constant shadow of Moto. Everywhere I went, he was there. He took me in when my parents mysteriously disappeared, but I strongly believe he had them murdered. It's the kind of swine he is. " she whispered.
" For years I've been trying to buy my freedom from him. He said I knew too much and that he wouldn't let me go. Then when you came and interferred with his work, I saw a way for me to bargin myself out. I told him that I would befriend you, help you, travel around with you and gain your trust and then I would subconiously lead you back here. I didn't have to do all that, you did it for me anyway.
" If I knew that you believed me, I would offer my sincerest apologies for what I have done. I can't take back what I have done, but I can tell you how sorry I am, but I will not let anyone steal my freedom from me. It is all that matters to me. Once I have it and I know it is mine, then perhaps I will start to think of other things I need. " she smiled sadly. " How selfish I must sound. "
" I know you will never forgive me. " she leant closer and grasped his face. " But I promise you. I will do everything I can to get you out of here. I owe you that much. " she leant back and smiled. " Besides, it was you who taught me how to feel again. "
" Come on Luna. Enough's enough. Time to go. " the guard at the door yelled.
" If I ever was to kill anybody, " she hissed softly. " I'm gonna make sure it's you. " she vowed thinking of the guard outside.
She stood up not looking at him. She went to the crate where Tori's things that they had found had been dumped there. She knew that they would get rid of them later on. She went to his wallet and ignored Tori's struggles as he watched her. She grabbed his wallet and flipped through it. She turned to Tori and stepped into the moonlight and made sure that only he could here her.
" I am going to keep this safe for you Tori. " she whispered showing him his licence.
She placed the wallet down on the crate and ran her hand through his dark locks. " Forgive me dark angel. " she whispered and went over to the door when the guard, impatient as ever, pushed it open for her.
It wasn't as cold as it had been in Shanghai, Li thought as he put his hands inside his jacket. He had been thinking that it was time to either tell Ying Fa that he was here, or go home and be content that she was home and that she was safe, despite the many questions that bothered him.
He walked a bit closer and stopped as suddenly a familar woman ran up to Ying Fa and started talking hurriedly with her. Whatever she was saying, Ying Fa was shocked going by the stiffening of her back and the horrorfied look on her face. Icy blue hair flashed in the sunlight and he remembered the woman that had come with the dark haired man. Wondering what this could be about, he tried to get closer; pretending to look at the merchandise at the stall.
Emerald eyes flashed with fear and anger.
" How did my brother get taken! And by who? " Sakura demanded. Luna swallowed and bowed her head.
" It was all my fault, but I had no other choice. I'll tell you all about later, but for now, we need to work out how to save him. " she replied.
" How can we go about saving him when one of us knows nothing of what is going on? " Sakura demanded.
" Please, " Luna begged looking around. " Is there some place that we can go to talk in private? "
" My place. " Sakura said after a pause. Luna nodded and they started off towards her house.
Li pushed his dark glasses up and quickly followed after them. He stuck to the shadows and made sure to keep them both in sight.
They had been walking for a few minutes when Luna looked behind them and then looked to the young woman beside her.
" How long have you been followed? " she whispered.
" What? " Sakura balked shooting her a look of surprise.
" There is someone following us. He is not anyone that I know, so that means he's following you. "
Sakura stopped dead in the middle of the pathway and looked at Luna.
" Are you sure? " she asked looking around her.
" Yes. I caught sight of him earlier. He's very good. "
" Come on let's go. " Sakura said and started walking again; faster. She didn't want to deal with this right now.
The crossed the little bridge and then rounded the corner to the yellow house. Luna stopped and looked at it. This was where Tori lived? she wondered. She walked through the gate and stepped through the front door and looked around curiously. It was no wonder he had always talked fondly of home.
" Ok, lets start from the beginning. " Sakura said as she stepped into the kitchen and started making tea. " How did this all happen? "
The faint glow from the moon escaped through the thick clouds as they passed by. Earlier it had tried to snow, but it had melted as soon as the cold ice had hit the ground. The glow from the street light across the road sent its light across the road, to fall on the steps of the Tomoeda University. The building standing tall and mysterious, was silent.
Once again, two figures, dressed in black and looking around, started unscrewing the air vent and placed the removed lid on the ground out of harms way. The map was placed on the damp ground and a small torch revealed the lines showing the way they had to go.
Sakura's eyes quickly scanned the familar lines and then switched off the lamp. She stashed the map back in the small backpack over her shoulder and went to move into the vent when Luna grabbed her arm and prevented her.
" What? " she whispered.
" Are you sure you trust me to do this? " Luna asked, her eyes revealing her inner turmoil. " After what I did . . "
Sakura sat back on her haunches and met her purple gaze.
" You cared enough to know your mistakes and find help. I've seen the fear for my brother in your eyes, and that is enough for me. " Luna grabbed her arm again and met her gaze.
" You're brother was right; you trust far too easily. "
" One way or another Luna, " emerald eyes flashed. " I am saving my brother with or without your help. " and with that she slipped into the huge vent and started crawling.
Luna looked around her quickly and then slipped inside after her.
Luna opened the vent carefully; slowly. She set it aside and then lowered herself into the room, not daring to breathe. The guard below her looked casually at the flickering screens and then went back to watching the small portable tv in front of him. She hit the floor not making a sound and crept up behind the unsuspecting victum. Her shoe made a sound and the guard spun around. Eyes scanning the room, the guard frowned and then went back to the tv. Luna jumped up and pushed her fingers into the pressure points on the man's neck sending him instantly unconcious.
Leaning over the controls, Luna switched a few buttons and focussed on the storage room. Tori was still chained up to the radiator and she sighed with relief. She looked at the guard, and seeing that she had done the job right, looked back at the screens and waited.
---------
A dark figure landed with the ease of the cat on the dark floor and dark eyes scanned the hallway on either side. Seeing no one, the silent figure started jogging down the hallway scanning every room. Something was going on, and he wanted to know what it was.
---------
Sakura lifted the vent and set it aside carefully. She cringed when it caught her fingers and she breathed in deeply to keep calm. She looked down at the floor and moved silently towards the edge. She gripped the side and lowered herself into the room just like Luna had told her. She landed on the balls of her feet and heard metal scraping as Tori moved, scanning the dark around him.
" Who's there? " he called out. His voice sounded dry and raspy.
" You'll never guess in a million years. " she whispered back and moved towards where she had heard his voice.
" How did you get in here who ever you are? " Tori replied warily.
Sakura blinked as she suddenly stepped into a small patch of light coming from a street light outside and heard Tori gasp. She looked around and found the bottle of water and grabbed it and held it up to his mouth as he drank from it greedily.
" Easy, easy. " she crooned as she pulled it back so he had to drink it slower. " You'll make yourself sick. "
Dark, haunted eyes looked up at her.
" How the hell did you - ?" he rasped.
" Luna. " she replied, stroking his long bangs out of his eyes.
" Sakura! You can't trust her, she - "
" Shhh. " she whispered. " I know. She told me. " Sakura set the bottle on the ground.
" What? " he whispered in disbelief.
" She told me everything that you failed to inform me. " she said, anger flashing in her eyes. " Why? " she asked.
" Why did you keep the truth from me? " she pleaded.
" It was for your own good; to keep you from foolishly rushing in here to do something stupid like this! "
" I am not a child! " she snapped, and then she got control over her anger. " We don't have time for this. We have to get out of here. " she said and moved to his hands to see what she could do.
" Sakura get out of here. Moto is shipping me out tonight and there isn't time. "
Sakura ignored him as she pulled a pair of bolt cutters from her bag and snapped the small chain leaving the cuffs on his hands. She looked around her quickly and then they moved to the door silently and Tori peered through the glass window on the door to see if anyone was coming.
They ducked out of the door and headed down the corridor. Sakura's eyes darted back and forth as she ran. She was not going to bungle this up. She was going to save her brother and they were going to get out of here safe and sound. She skidded around a corner and picked up speed once again. They passed the forensic labs and headed towards the offices.
They heard a noise and skidded to a stop. Sakura strained to hear over her heavy breathing. Tori's face darkened and he grasped her wrist and hauled her up behind him protectively. He looked around wildly and tried to push her into one of the offices, but she pulled out of his grasp and looked behind her. They were blocked.
Tori ducked into one office and she bolted into the other across from it. She hid down behind the desk and watched as a light lit up the hallway. It turned out to be a torch and Sakura ducked down as the torch shone though the door. She hoped that she wouldn't be spotted. She was about to sigh in relief when she heard whoever it was open the door to the office Tori was in and she saw, as she ducked up, that Tori was about to be busted.
Knowing she had to do something, she grabbed the first thing she could find and she sent it crashing to the floor. She cringed when the paper tray sent papers and documents scattering everywhere and clattered on the floor. The torch swung around and landed on her and she brought her hand up against the assault.
" Hey you! " the cry went up and she bolted from out behind the desk and made a run for it passed the guy.
She cried out when she was jerked and found herself in the hands of the man that had busted her. She struggled and fought and then suddenly she landed on the ground and she looked up as the guard fell limply to the floor, Tori standing over them both.
" Hurry up. " he hissed and dragged her to her feet. " We don't have much time. "
Luna felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise before she was grasped from behind and she felt the gun aimed into her back. She hadn't even heard anyone come in. She fought, but the gun pushed more deeply into her back and she cried out into the hand that covered her mouth.
" I'm not going to hurt you unless you try something. " the deep voice said and she stiffened. " Now, I'm going to remove my hand and your're going to tell me what the hell is going on. " She whipped around and starred at him.
" I know you. You were the one following us the otherday. " she stated. He paused in the middle of putting his gun back into the holster under his jacket.
" You saw me? "
She nodded and her gaze darted back to the Surveillance cameras just in time to see two people run down the hallway and disappear from the screen. He had seen it too. Her purple eyes met his calmly.
" Who are you? " she asked.
" That depends. " he replied and looked at the cameras. " What are you doing in here at the dead of night? "
" Nothing that concerns you. " she bit out glarring at him.
" Really? " he leaned over the control desk and moved the cameras to different angles. " You wouldn't happen to be doing some late-night smuggling now would you? " Luna gaped and starred at him.
" H-How do y-you know about - " she paused as he looked up at her, his dark eyes unfathomable. " How could you? Moto was careful. . . " She looked away and around the small office deciding she had to get out of there. She had just put herself into imaginable danger.
The stranger seemed to anticipate her thoughts and he straightened watching her with an unmistakeable meaning written clearly in his eyes. Move and face the consequences. She licked her dry lips as her heart starting beating against her chest in fear.
" Please, " she swallowed. " It's not what you think. I dont't know what I can tell you - "
" How about the truth. " he cut in. She starred at him.
" The truth? " she repeated stunned. He rose his eyebrow at her - waiting.
" You wouldn't believe me. " she whimpered desperate.
" Why don't you try me? " he crossed his arms and watched her.
" Well - " she began but then she caught sight of what was happening on the screen and she gasped. " NO! "
Sakura had rounded the corner and went straight into the clutches of an ambush.
Tori was seized and fought wildly against the many hands that held him. He called out to Sakura as she fought and cried out at the rough treatment. Her arms were jerked harshly behind her back and she kicked out viciously. They clubbed her in the back of the head with the butt of the gun and Tori cried out as she slumped forward.
The small gang parted and Tori snarled with fury as Morimoto stepped out from the back and shook his head regretfully.
" You just don't learn do you boy? " he asked. He looked towards Sakura and he smiled. " Now this no doubt is Kinomoto's daughter. So she came after all. " he looked at Tori and smiled. " What a unique family. "
" Let her go! " Tori yelled struggling.
" Now why would I want to do that? " Moto asked. " With her, I have a guarantee that you will butt out of my business and keep quiet. "
Tori stopped struggling and stood up tall. Moto smirked.
" You see with her, I can keep her in holding. "
" NO! " Tori yelled and was hit roughly with the gun into his chest.
" This way my plans continue to work you see. " Moto said stroking Sakura's cheek. " This way with her in my grasp, I can let you go and I know that you will keep your silence and your father will continue to take the blame for the missing artifacts. "
" We won't give up. " Tori wheezed. " We will take you down. "
" At the cost of losing your sister? " Moto arched his brow. Seeing Tori's horrofied gaze he smiled. He brought Sakura's wrist up and toyed with it.
" Lets see, a delicate finger for every mistake you and your father make. Then when and if we run out of those, we can start with more important things until she is just a living, breathing corpse. I know that you would just hate for that to happen. " he snarled evilly, then burst out laughing.
" Take them away. You know the plans. " he barked out the orders and his men carried out the deal.
Luna and the mysterious man ran down the corridors as fast as they could go. Luna saw a gaurd standing post and she charged him and knocked him flat and didn't even bother to see if he was knocked out or not. She caught his gaze and arched her brow haughtily.
" Problem? " she asked as they rounded another corner.
" No, why would there be? " the stranger said as he ran beside her.
They rounded another corner and headed down a flight of stairs. It was dark and usually they would have needed a flashlight or something, but Luna didn't need to see where they were going. She just hoped they could prevent the horror that was about to commence.
" In here! " she called and ran towards a door at the end.
" I'll be with you in a minute. " the man called and pulled out his cell.
Luna didn't spare him a second glance, she pushed open the door and her purple eyes scanned the room. The four men looked up from strapping the ancient torture machine and Luna saw red when she saw what they were doing to Tori's little sister. She ran towards the first one and knocked him flying backwards where he hit his head and didn't move. She turned and ducked as the second one aimed a kick at her head. She kicked up and heard him groan as he collapsed on the ground holding his groin. Luna brought the flat of her palm against his head and he fell down and didn't move, completely knocked out.
She gasped when a punch got her in the lower back. She whipped around and grabbed the third mna's arm and twisted him so he flipped and landed on his back stunned. She kicked out and caught the fourth and sent him sprawling back. She hit a stack of files and old books and they fell crushing the third guy and then she punched the fouth man as he charged her and jumped kicked him sending him flying into the wall. She whipped around making sure no one was behind her. She heard creaking and turned around facing the contraption that they had put Sakura on.
It was an ancient form of torture. A bed of sharp spikes that she lay strapped to as a heavy board pushed down trapping the helpless person inside, forcing them to be skewered alive. Luna ran forward as Sakura came to and sceamed in agony.
" Hold on Ying Fa. " Luna yelled as she tried to find a way to stop it.
" Ying Fa! " she looked up as the man ran forward, a look of pure fear on his face. " How do we stop this! "
" I'm trying. " Luna yelled and looked around.
It moved another inch and blood started dripping down onto the floor. Sakura whimpered and then blanked out as she felt like her chest was about to burst.
Luna grabbed a plank of wood from one of the open crates and wedged it into the contraption and leaned all of her weight against it trying to leaver it up off her. The man came around and put his weight against her own and together they pushed down. It lifted and Li crammed a medium box through the gap they had created. He reached in and carefully as he could, he pulled Ying Fa out. Her clothes tore and scratches appeared along with the puncture wounds.
" We have to get her to the hospital. " Luna said letting go and cringing at the crunch as the lid fell on the box and squashed it.
" One is already on its way. " The man spoke up cradling the young girl in his arms. Blood coated his clothes, but he didn't notice.
Luna blinked at the anouncement. The she frowned. Who was he? Suddenly amber eyes looked up and pierced her soul.
" Tell me who did this and where he is. " Li demanded. Luna balked.
" If I do, then I lose everything. He will kill me. " she sunk down to her knees and took Ying Fa into her arms.
" You have to help! " Li yelled.
Luna brushed Ying Fa's bangs away from her face and crooned to her softly. After a few precious seconds passed, she looked up, her gaze blank.
" Follow the hallway down and you'll come to the loading bay. Moto and his men should be there, taking Touya away with them. Be careful, " she paused, her face expressionless. " he'll be armed. He'll stop at nothing to get what he wants. "
Li nodded and then leapt to his feet and bolted from the room. What seemed like an enternity later, sirens could be heard and she sighed, hugging the lifeless body closer to her.
A Week Later . . .
Li leant up against the white wall waiting. He had been here for over an hour and he really wondered at the lack of respect towards people waiting to see patients. Someone should get into the system and stir them up a bit he thought wryly. He'd missed the first visiting session that morning when he knew that people would be visiting. He'd wanted to come to sort out a few things, but he'd been busy and he'd cursed in his mind ever since.
" Mr Li? " a nurse asked and he broke off his thoughts and looked at her.
" You wish to see the her? " she asked.
" Yes. " Li nodded and pushed himself away from the wall.
" Then please follow me. " the nurse said and he trailed off after her.
He found her sitting up in bed, wrapped in bandages and looking like nothing had ever happened. She grabbed the last rice ball off the tray the nurse was carting away and cringed when she hurt her aching body. She glarred after the nurse and then bit healthily into the rice ball enjoying it.
" Good morning. " he said striding into the room. She looked up, saw who it was, and promptly choked. He patted her gently on the back and she swallowed the mouthful and took a breath.
" W-what are you doing h-here? " she wheezed. " And you've changed your hair colour. " she frowned.
" Is that anyway to thank someone who helped save your life? " Li asked sitting down on the edge of the bed, careful not to hurt her.
She quickly looked away.
" About that - " she began but he cut her off.
" The trial will begin next month hopfully and Moto will be taking the stand. Until then, we'll be getting every piece of evidence against him. " She looked at him warily.
" So - you know everything - ? " Li arched his brow.
" Do you think I'd be here bugging you if I did? " he asked.
" I see. " she looked away and then bit into the remainder of her rice ball. She swallowed before she replied.
" I can't help you. "
" What! " Li lost his smile. " Why the hell not? "
" Didn't Yelan-sama ever tell you not to cuss like that in a hospital? " she asked sweetly.
" Look, I don't give a damn - " he cut himself off at the smirk on her face. " Ok, why not? " he said angrily.
" Because I've been advised by my lawyer not to say anything until the trial. I'll be taking the stand and that's all I will say on the matter. "
" What lawyer? Wait, you have a lawyer? " he asked completely stunned. She smiled.
" Yes. Oh, and that reminds me. You're not to worry about the case. Someone else has taken over proceedings and all that will be required of you is to give your evidence to the court. " Li jumped up and glarred at her.
" How the hell do you know that? I haven't been told anything! "
" That's because the message was left with me. " she replied finishing her rice ball.
Li eyed her sceptically. She met his gaze calmly and Li fought to keep his temper. Something was happening here and he didn't know what. Why did he feel like the last four and half months of his life he had been kept in the dark?
" Ying Fa, don't do this to me. What is going on? " he asked again. She sighed and brushed the crumbs off the blanket.
" Patience is a virtue Li. You'll just have to wait till the day before the court trial. "
" Why? What happens before then? " he demanded. She smiled sadly.
" You were involved with the case Li, that's why you have been taken off it. " she replied. " I don't understand all of all the mumbo jumbo that you are all wrapped up in, so please don't badger me. " Li starred at her for a moment and she sighed.
" So that's it? " he asked finally. " I'll see you at the trial and you'll do your thing and then we sit and let everyone do there job? "
" Yes. " she nodded. " That's how it shall be. But you're forgetting that I will most likely see you before that. "
" Ah yes, the day before the court trial. You already said something about that. Want to tell me about that or are you forbidden to say anything about that as well? "
" I know why we never really got along. " she said leaning back carefully against the pillows. " We were always too sarcastic for our own good. "
" Your young. It's expected. " Li said distractedly, running things through his head trying to catch the angle.
" And your old. It's the sure sign when your cranky all the time. " she shot back and smirked.
" I'm going to ignore that. " Li said shooting her a meaningful look that she knew all too well.
" Suit yourself. But for the record; it's called denial. "
Li shook his head at their childish banter. He looked back at her and saw her for the first time that morning. She looked so young and fragile wrapped up in all those bandages. Her hair was braided and it trailed over her shoulder and lay on the blankets as she fiddled with the magazine the nurse had left her. He realised then how close he had come to losing her and he felt his heart jumped down to his gut.
He looked around the room and saw all the flowers and balloons. So many people cared and he still knew so little about her. Really, who was this young girl that he had sharred such a short time with? As if knowing what he was thinking about her, Ying Fa looked up and met his gaze. She smirked. He knew that smirk.
" What? " he asked.
" You were starring. " she said still smirking.
" I wasn't. I was thinking. "
" Oh, so you were thinking about me? You'd better be careful or someone might think that you are crazy about me Li. "
Li felt his cheeks burn and he glarred at her.
" As if! What kind of perverted - " her eyebrow lifted and he glarred. " Don't even get me started Ying Fa. I'm not going to fall into whatever silly game your thinking up as we speak. " She smiled and Li shook his head.
He muttered under his breath and she giggled and then cringed.
" Are you ok? " Li asked coming to stand beside her.
" Fine, fine. " she said leaning back carefully. " I mean considering that I was almost used as a human pin cushion, I'm great. "
" Ying Fa if you just gave me the evidence I needed - " he watched as she shook her head. " I could put him away for you. Why won't you help me do this? "
" Because there is much that you don't know Xiao Lang, " she said and he blinked. This was an older, wiser young woman speaking to him. Where had the child gone?
" If you are patient, " she continued in that manner which surprised him. " then everything you wish to happen; will. You have to expect the unexpected Xiao Lang. It is the only way that you will come to understand everything that is happening around you. " with that she closed her eyes and sighed tiredly. Wondering if he had imagined the whole thing he leant closer.
" Ying Fa? "
" Hmmm? " she mumured.
" I will trust you. For now. "
She smiled as sleep started to claim her.
" Is there anything that I can get you? " Li asked not wanting to end the visit. She blinked her emerald eyes open and smiled.
" If you could bring me some chocolate I'd be estastic. You'd have to sneak it in though. " she confided in a whisper.
" They already took my secret stash that Tomoyo brought in. Talk about rude! " He threw his head back and laughed.
When he looked down on her again, she was asleep. He smiled and brushed her long bangs away from her face. She sighed in her sleep and smiled softly. Li felt his heart tug and then he walked away and looked for the nearest vendine machine.
BW2Ah, not that much further to go. It's coming to an end; sadly. Hope that you will review and let me know you think.
Please don't flame me and hope you continue to read on. I'm trying to satisfy all my readers and even myself and believe me, it's not easy.
If you have any questions please review and let me know about them and I'll do my best to answer them in the upcoming chapter.
Tameika
