The Man in the Glass
Chapter Six
By Hayai Akurei
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"Syaoran-kun?"
Okay…Witch hunts…celestial phenomena…dragons, phoenixes…ghosts and devils…
"Syaoran-kun?"
Ooo! Boggarts. This could be handy.
"Syaoran-kun…"
Not a lot to deal with a feather…nothing really pointed to a specific time where the balance in power anywhere drastically shifted.
"Syaoran-kun!"
Startled, the young man looked up from his book, his fifth, actually. So absorbed was he in his work, that he hadn't even noticed the sun go down, or the person calling him. The young man flushed as he realized how rude he must've looked, ignoring her like that. But he hadn't meant to. However, the princess stood by his side and was smiling at him. She didn't seem to mind that it had taken several tries to get his attention, but rather amused at how much concentration he poured into his work. But what else was to be expected of an archeologist?
"Huh?" What a way to be eloquent to the princess, wiseguy.
Sakura's lovely green eyes creased slightly in concern. "You should get some sleep. You've been researching nonstop since we went to Clef-san's house. You even read while we walked back. Kokuyo-san said that you hardly touched your dinner."
"Ah…" he mumbled, feeling a little embarrassed. "But I'm all right. You can go on up to bed. I'll be there shortly."
He thought he might have heard someone giggle, but thought nothing of it. However, he was surprised when the normally gentle princess huffed and sat down in front of him. Taking his hands, she said, "You haven't rested enough! You need sleep! Everyday, you just get more and more tired!" Lowering her gaze, she continued. "I know my memories are important, but your health comes first. I…I don't want to see you push yourself too hard…just for me."
Syaoran's heart was thudding so hard that all he could do was just blink in wide-eyed wonder.
Clasping his hand a little harder, she once again met his eyes with hers, those glittering emerald pools robbing him of all power of speech.
"I really, really appreciate you and everyone else helping me find my feathers, but I don't want to see any of you hurt on my account. Please rest, for me?"
Her concern was so touching. And her sincerity was so genuine he could almost feel it.
His heart warmed as he closed his book, marking the place he had been last, and stood up.
"All right," Syaoran said, getting up. From his place on the bed, Godzilla chirped happily, looking as if he simply couldn't decide who to sleep with tonight. Syaoran or Sakura? Syaoran or Sakura? Ooh, choices, choices!
Smiling, Sakura plucked up the little lizard and kissed him fondly on the head. For a fleeting moment, Syaoran wished he could have swapped places with the small reptile. What he wouldn't give to be held like that…
'But no! Protocol must be followed!' ordered the rational side of his brain. It was bad enough he was sharing the same bedroom with her! He shuddered as he imagined Touya-ou glaring at him with a maniacal gleam in his eye, black sword in hand and Protective Big Brother Aura turned on maximum. Hopefully Yukito-san would be there to try and pacify his highness…he always did seem to have a calming effect on the man…
His thoughts were interrupted by a gentle touch on his arm.
"Syaoran-kun? Are you all right?" asked Sakura. Could those eyes get any greener? Even a master jeweler could tell they were far more precious than any emerald that ever existed in any of the hundreds of worlds that they had been to. "You're shivering."
"It's nothing," he replied with a reassuring smile and sliding under the covers. "I'm all right." He had had more than enough of his share of romantic thoughts and daydreams for one day. Sakura remained sitting on the edge of her bed for a moment.
"I just…I just don't want you to get sick like Fai-san. Please be careful."
"I will." And with that, she smiled at him, climbing into bed and blowing out the lamp. His one good eye adjusted quickly to darkness, even with the full moon outside hanging heavily in the air and casting her rays across his bed. He had always felt comfortable in the dark. It was…soothing.
It was silent for a little while longer, until he heard Sakura speak up again.
"Syaoran-kun, what will happen if all my feathers aren't found?"
Syaoran looked at her, startled. She was lying down, facing him, and looking somewhat pensive.
Sitting up, he went to her side, took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I'm not sure. And we're not about to find out. Because we will recover all of your memories, Princess. I swear upon my life that I'll find them."
Sakura sat up as well, Godzilla tumbling from his place on her chest and onto the comforters.
"I know…" she said quietly. "You've all done so much for me. But it's just that I…I don't want to ever risk losing my memories again. I don't want to lose anything that is precious to me."
Sakura blushed as she continued, "Just as you are precious to me, Syaoran-kun."
His mind froze, and his heart thudded painfully as he slowly digested and re-digested what she had just said.
"Princess…"
Her voice was only just above a whisper as she held his gaze; he couldn't look away. "Call me Sakura."
Tentatively, they leaned closer. Syaoran could feel the warm caress of her breath blow by his cheek. Then, as Sakura intertwined her fingers with his, she closed her eyes and he dipped his head down to press their lips together in a soft, tender kiss.
Syaoran's heart soared. His insides were set aflame and melted the rest of his body into goo. Even the flame from his kudan or even Hien couldn't compare. But somehow, he was still able to remain standing. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before.
It was magic.
The tingling rattled around in the back of his neck before dropping to his feet and shooting straight back up. Fireworks were going off in his brain, which was already spinning in lightheaded ecstasy. And for a brief moment, as his world swirled around him, he forgot to breathe.
They were both inexperienced in matters like this, and merely let the kiss linger. When they finally parted to catch their breath, Syaoran could feel the heat in his cheeks. Sakura was blushing just as badly as she ducked her head a little with an embarrassed "Hoeee…"
He smiled as they leaned against one another, and he placed another kiss on the top of her head, holding her close.
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"Something's happened," Fai observed. Syaoran blushed furiously as he sat with him, pouring over more books over a light supper that Kokuyo had made them.
"S-something like that…" He nibbled on a chicken sandwich, trying to keep his mind elsewhere. But his thoughts kept drifting back to the memory of how soft her lips felt against his. So much like the petals of the flower that bore her name.
"I think it's more than just something," the mage pressed, eyeing him studiously as he took a sip of his tea. "Every time you and Sakura-chan see each other, you both end up blushing simultaneously and end up looking away. That and you keep stuttering when she's in the room, and she is constantly chewing on her lip and spacing out, and I'm not talking about her being tired for lack of feathers." Blue eyes gazed at him intently. "What's happened between you two?"
Curse the man and his keen intuition! Now he definitely was going to have to tell the truth! He could just imagine his public execution when they returned home to Clow. Touya-ou was going to have his head for this…
Fai's gaze never left him. "Well?"
"Uhm…well, it was kind of…"
A slender eyebrow went up, a silent "Well?" meeting Syaoran's ears.
"I…" His face was getting redder by the minute, he could feel it. "I…" His voice dropped so low he could hardly hear it. "Sakura-hime…I…I kissed her."
Surprised, Fai set down his cup, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Okay, my ears are playing tricks on me. Did you just say that you kissed her?" Blue eyes were trained on him intently, excitedly demanding an answer.
"Well…"
Fai's smile grew impossibly wider, looking as if he were enjoying this scandal far too much.
"You did, didn't you?" he cackled. Syaoran blushed and ducked his head. The mage sniggered gleefully, "You did do it, didn't you! You bad, bad little boy!" This was followed by an onslaught of riotous giggling. However, one stuck and Fai began to cough, small tears of mirth rimming his eyes.
"But it's about time," he said, wiping his eyes. "You two have been beating around the bush for several worlds now. I was hard pressed not to just lock you two in a closet to get things set straight."
Syaoran flushed deep red at the thought.
As he looked up, he saw Fai's blue eyes soften, becoming slightly distant as the young man looked up at the blond mage. It was moments like these that he remembered just how wise the man was, even though he hid it from everyone else. There was something dark and almost tragic behind those eyes, something that rarely saw the light of day.
"But that's good," Fai said. "Even though she doesn't remember you, it doesn't mean the two of you can't make new memories together, now does it?" He placed a hand on Syaoran's shoulder. "And this is only just the beginning of everything."
He gave the boy's shoulder a gentle squeeze and got up, coughing slightly. Syaoran frowned.
"Fai-san, are you feeling all right?"
"Yes, I'm fine," Fai replied, "I'm just going to put these dishes away, that's all."
Syaoran quickly got up, dusting a few crumbs from his hands. "Here, let me help you." Setting the books aside, he swept the remaining dirty dishes into his arms and walked alongside the wizard into the kitchen.
"Are you all done?" asked Kokuyo.
"Yes, dinner was great!" Fai said cheerily, "Thank you!"
"I meant your research," he said. "Is there anything that looks like it could point to one of the princess's feathers?"
"Nothing yet," Syaoran answered, "but I won't give up yet. We will find it."
Kokuyo smiled. "That's the spirit! Now keep at it, and I'll get some dessert out for you later. First, I'm going to go over next door to Ascot and Umi's. I won't be but ten minutes. I left Kohaku with Sakura, so she'll be all right."
Nodding their thanks, the two departed back to the living room, settling onto the couch as Kokuyo left. After reading for a few minutes, Fai stood up. Syaoran's good eye picked up on his movement and flicked in his direction automatically.
"Where are you going?" he asked. Fai grinned. "Just going to get a blanket really quick. It's getting a bit colder."
Syaoran's heart twisted a little bit. There was something strained behind that smile, but it wasn't his place to intrude. As Fai walked away, his eyes returned to the page, but his thoughts were interrupted by a soft hiss.
"Fai-san?" he called worriedly. He got up from the couch, walking over to the hallway.
There he found Fai, on his knees and leaning against the wall, his entire body trembling as he curled around himself. He was as white as a sheet, his face lined in a pale sheen of sweat. He had never seen the normally composed man so fragile. Carefully, Syaoran knelt next to him and felt his forehead. His skin was abnormally warm. His cold must have been getting worse, though it should have gone down by now.
"Come, I'll help you back to your room."
Gingerly, he started to help him to his feet. But at that moment, Fai's knees buckled, and Syaoran almost fell with him. The wizard was panting heavily now, gritting his teeth in pain.
Concern for his friend rising, the young man said, "Wait here. I'm going to–"
He was cut off as Fai gasped sharply, holding his side. Brown eyes widened when he saw a dark stain beginning to spread quickly cross the fabric. All doubt and hesitation banished from his mind, Syaoran took off down the hall.
"KUROGANE-SAN! KUROGANE-SAN!"
He could hardly hear the thundering of the man's footsteps through the pounding in his ears when the ninja met him halfway down the hall.
"What's going on?" he demanded, crimson eyes flaring.
"Something's wrong with Fai-san!" the boy exclaimed frantically. "He's bleeding!"
Tearing past him, Kurogane ran down the hallway.
"Did someone attack him?" he demanded. Syaoran shook his head, trying to keep up with him.
"No, he's been inside with me the whole time! He just started bleeding!"
"How?"
"I don't know! I just…"
"Just wait until we've got him taken care of," Kurogane said, sweeping Fai up in his arms the moment they reached him. From upstairs, Sakura came trotting down, Mokona on her shoulder.
"What is going on?" she asked, "I was trying to put Kohaku to bed and I – Fai-san!"
Her pretty face filled with fright as she beheld the man, pale and shaking in Kurogane's arms. Setting the wizard on the bed, the ninja frowned.
"He's bleeding pretty badly," he whispered gravely, "Kid, you stay with me and help me with him. Sakura, I need you to get some hot water and bandages. There should be some clean rags around here too."
Mokona bounced out of her arms. "I'll help too!"
"Right!" she said, running off with the white creature in tow. "Come on, Moko-chan!"
The young man took Fai's hand to try and keep him calm as he watched Kurogane began to strategically peel away the bloody clothes. Fai flinched, still slightly delirious with fever, and blindly grabbed Syaoran's arm. As the dark-haired man threw the soiled garments onto the floor, Syaoran felt the blood drain from his face.
Parts of Fai's body were heavily bandaged, covered by the clothes he had been wearing. There were cuts and gashes everywhere, and a grotesque pattern of bruises in various shades decorated his skin. Nearly his entire torso was swathed in bandages, making him look similar to a half-completed mummy.
"Wh-where did he get all these?" Syaoran wondered aloud. Still grasping the boy's arm in a death grip, Fai cried out feebly. Several wounds began to bleed a little faster and tears began to gather in his clearing eyes.
"What the hell happened to you?" Kurogane shouted, his eyes wide with what looked like panic. "Did you get in a fight?" Fai whimpered, clenching his eyes tight. "Answer me!"
The mage choked back a sob and bit his lip as a large, dark bruise on his collarbone fast appeared on his white skin. Within seconds, it was the size of Syaoran's fist. The boy felt his stomach twist at the sight.
"What the hell was that?" demanded Kurogane, more just out loud than to their injured companion, "How in the hell do bruises just appear out of thin air?"
Fai's knuckles were turning white, whiter than his skin already was, as he grasped Syaoran's arm harder.
"Fai-san?" Syaoran asked, startled. Panic began to settle in the jewel blue eyes, pleading desperately for help. "FAI-SAN!" The grip on his arm was getting tighter. Frantic, Fai made a little gasping sound, and the boy's eyes widened with fear.
"Kurogane-san!" he exclaimed.
Red eyes burned as Kurogane grabbed the wizard's other hand, shouting, "Just try to calm down, you idiot! Calm down!"
His face drained of all color, the blond looked like he was going to faint. Pulling the mage into a sitting position and leaning him against him, the ninja looked him straight in the eye, his voice low and grating. "You need to breathe, dammit. Just breathe."
Sucking in a breath, Fai choked and Syaoran helped Kurogane to steady him. Tears lined the mage's lashes as he coughed into the man's shoulder. Finally, the fits subsided and the blond slumped heavily against the two. His breathing began to even out, but he was still white and shaking.
"I've got some bandages!" cried Sakura as she ran into the room, "But there's not much left."
"What's going on?" came a voice from behind them. A sleepy yawn turned all their eyes to the door. Kohaku rubbed at her face sleepily, holding a stuffed rabbit in her arms. "What are you all doing?" she asked. Sakura immediately went to her, guiding her out the door with a gentle push.
"Fai-san is hurt, and Kurogane-san and Syaoran-kun are helping him. Come, let's go into the kitchen, I'll get you some warm milk." Turning to the others as she left, she said, "I'll bring some hot water as soon as I'm done."
Syaoran smiled after her, but his face fell once more as Fai coughed, his skin covered in a light sweat. The man was trembling so badly, it was unsettling.
"Take it easy," instructed the ninja, letting the other man lean against him and rubbing his back. "Hey, kid."
Syaoran shook his head, trying to shake the frightening images of what just took place from his mind. He needed to focus.
"Kid, I need you to run to that doctor-what's-his-name's place," Kurogane ordered as he helped Fai lie back down, "Tell him that something is wrong with this idiot, and that he needs to get down here now or give you some medicine that would help or something. I don't care what it is. Just go!"
Nodding, Syaoran stopped only to grab his coat and bolted out the door and down the dark, deserted streets. Everything seemed so different at night. But the streets were still somewhat familiar, and within a few minutes, he hurtled his way past the blacksmith's shop and onto the doctor's front doorstep.
"KAKEI-SENSEI!" the boy shouted, running up to the door and pounding on it loudly. The lights were on, but he didn't see anyone inside. "KAKEI-SENSEI! IS THERE ANYONE HOME? PLEASE, WE NEED HELP!"
There was no answer. Despair rushed through him as he continued to call for the man, beating on the door. He had to be there! Fai-san would die without help!
"KAKEI-SENSEI!"
Then, he saw a slight movement from inside. Soon, the door opened and a young woman with white hair and clad in an elaborate white dress stood in the doorway.
"The doctor is out," she said a dainty voice. "May I help you?" Frantic with worry, Syaoran grabbed her shoulders in a desperate plea.
"Please, miss! I need to find Kakei-sensei! My friend is dying and he needs a doctor or medicine, it doesn't matter which! He's bleeding and we don't know what's causing it or how to stop it!" He spouted out the words so fast, they sounded like gibberish to his own ears.
She frowned slightly, stepping inside and leading him in.
"Wait here," she said.
As he stood there, fidgeting restlessly, she went back into a storage closet with a swish of her bangled skirts. From within, there was a sound of clinking bottles and things being rummaged through in a hurry, and occasionally, she'd click her tongue impatiently and sigh. Finally, she hustled out, carrying a small glass container with several large white petals in it.
"Boil these in water and feed him the broth. It should help slow the bleeding."
"Thank you!" he said, bowing quickly. In a flash, he was out the door, and running faster and faster until his legs were numb.
His heart and lungs burned as he raced up the hill, bounding up the staircases two or three steps at a time. He was within sight of the house when a blinding light from behind him stopped him in his tracks.
Whirling around, expecting some sort of attack, Syaoran felt his jaw drop slightly at the awesome sight of a shooting star blazing across the sky. It was so bright and simply breathtaking. Never before had he seen one this close.
Wait a minute…
He squinted. The light was getting brighter. Then, realization hit him as it hurtled into the mountainside, several miles away from the village.
"That's…!"
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Author's Notes:
Well, that's that! Sorry this took so long. I had a hard time connecting all the big scenes together. I hope the rest of the chapters aren't this long. But most of them are half-completed already. Just four more chapters to go and it'll be all done!
By the way, the person Syaoran thought he heard giggling was Fai from the other room. This whole "Come-to-bed" "I'll-be-there-in-a-minute" deal makes them sound like a married couple. To me anyways.
And I know I totally did squat on the Syaoran/Sakura scene! I'm sorry! Forgive me, please!
Like? Hate? Tell me!