Chapter 13: Betrayal
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In the dark cell Sakura didn't have any idea what time it was. There was no window that could show her the position of sun. The worse part was the still sound of dripping water. The tall girl thought it would be her end.
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Sometime after Naraku's department Rin fell asleep. Sakura was deeply glad for it. She felt bad for the sweet girl. There was nothing she could do and it was driving her crazy. So badly she wanted to get away from that small and dark cell. To see sun, sky, forest and be free. She truly hated small spaces. She could bear with it for a small amount of time but this was too long.
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Trying to count was useless since she couldn't do that for long. Briefly, she thought if this wasn't Naraku's plan after all. Not that it would be so surprising after all. He was one fine piece of son of a bitch. But she didn't think that he would go about that so deeply.
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Sakura let out a small sigh of desperation and frustration. Never before she wanted so sincerely to kick someone's ass. She would never forgive that bastard for hurting Rin. That girl grew so close to her heart. Once again Sakura's thoughts went to lord Sesshomaru and Yoko.
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Forcefully she tried not to think about them but it was useless. She couldn't help but compare them. Where Sesshomaru was a lord in every inch of his personality Yoko was carefree and true to his reputation as a thief. One cold and honest… the other passionate and mysterious.
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Sakura shook her head. While one part of her soul was firmly attached to the magnificent lord of demons… the other one was mercilessly drawn towards the shocking unknown what was Kurama.
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Gently, careful not to wake up the sleeping girl, Sakura ran her fingers through the thick black hair. She didn't want to leave that girl. But it was the only way she could spare herself from the incredible pain in her heart. There was no room for fooling herself. Never, she could possibly choose between the lord and thief. Her soul and heart were torn apart between these two.
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It was foolish.
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It was utterly selfish.
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But she didn't want to get hurt again.
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She didn't know what to do anymore.
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Sesshomaru was furious. Sakura was right beside him and yet… somehow the enemy was able to take her away. It was making him angry more than anything else in his life. He cursed again only to find his brother snickering. So desperately Sesshomaru wanted to slit his throat open but Kagome was faster. With one quick 'osuwari' Inuyasha was silenced. The only remaining problem was Sakura.
The lord of western lands didn't have any illusions about the place she could be right now. He was sure that she was kept captivated within Naraku's palace. That fact made him even angrier. He would rather die than allow that monster to hold her captivated for too long. The poisoned mist was cleared now and Sesshomaru could easily smell Sakura's scent.
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Sakura didn't understand what was happening. The whole place was trembling and she wasn't sure how long she could keep herself and Rin safe. It was dangerous, that was for sure, but somehow she managed to run through a hole in the wall. Once outside she laid the small girl on the ground and with coughing looked around.
It was crazy. They were still in the small cell when somewhere was heard of explosion. The bars literally burst open and from the ceiling was falling down first stones. One bigger piece hit Rin into her head and knocked her off. Without hesitation Sakura took the small girl into her arms and carried her out of the cell and to the yard.
The trees that literally tore the whole palace apart and freed them from their prison were continuing systematically destroying the place. Sakura was quite impressed. The trees were beautiful but she wasn't in state to think who could cause that. She never met anybody who would be able to control plants… Except for…
"YOKO!"
She couldn't breathe properly and yelling like that was making her head spin. Thick clouds of dust were floating everywhere and it was impossible for her to see clearly. Desperately trying to see the shining silver hair Sakura looked around herself only to be forced on her knees in another cough. She didn't dare to let go off Rin's small hand in fear of loosing her at all.
Never before Sakura felt so hopeless. She couldn't do anything – not without hurting Rin – and she didn't know if Yoko was truly there or not. The pain in her body was making it difficult to focus at the thief's energy. She hated it when she was depending on someone else's help. Holding Rin tightly she could only pray to gods that they will not be crushed by falling palace. He conscious was quickly leaving her and before the darkness claimed her Sakura felt two strong arms wrapped around her waist then everything was gone.
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The smell of cherry blossom was filling the air when Sakura finally opened her eyes. She was lying on bed made from grass under majestic cherry tree. With relieve she notice the pain blocking her breathing was gone. Everything around sounded so peaceful she wished to just lay there and don't think about anything.
The memory of what happened slowly came back to her. Her imprisoning, Naraku, the falling palace,… Rin.
Rin!
With bolt Sakura sat up and frantically looked around. She couldn't see the little girl anywhere and she started panicking. She wanted to scream Rin's name but from her throat came out only cough.
"You shouldn't push yourself so much. Lie back down and try to relax."
Sakura turned her head only to see Yoko standing nearby with a smoking cup in his hands. On his face was troubled expression but she couldn't think about it. All she wanted was to know where Rin was.
"What happened to Rin?"
Yoko raised one of his fine eyebrows. With a sigh he gracefully sat next to her while putting the cup into her hands.
"She is fine. Sesshomaru took her."
On Sakura's face appeared frown.
"Where am I? Why it's just me and you? Where are others?" For a long time Yoko didn't answered. The magnificent stupidity of what had he done started catching up on him. It was as if his brain finally started to work. He was crazy but he couldn't just let her go. When he was sure that she finished the cup of tea without any explanation Yoko took her into his arms and sat her on his laps. Sakura immediately tensed.
"What in the seven hells are you doing?" even though she was starting to be nervous Sakura let him to wrap his arms around her body and hold her tightly. He wanted her so much.
"Yoko, what happened?" she forced her voice to sound calm.
"I attacked Naraku's palace with my plants and managed to destroy the walls that was keeping you and Rin. When you get out of there Naraku was attacked by your sister and Sesshomaru. The last I saw was Naraku being killed by Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. I took you here then."
"You mean you kidnapped me here."
Yoko chuckled. "You can say that. Truth is, I wanted to talk to you when Sesshomaru isn't here to interfere. I was wondering what you are going to do now. If you are staying with Sesshomaru or returning back home."
Sakura stilled. She didn't quite understand why he was asking. He knew she wanted to return home.
"Why are you asking? You know I want to go back home." Sakura was desperate. She didn't know what or why it was happening. She could feel Youko's suddenly trembling body and that scared her. The demon thief was always so calm and collected but now he was full of insecurities that made her nervous. Her senses became more sensitive than usual. There was chipping of a bird on a nearby tree, running water in a hidden stream but most, Youko's strong heartbeat. It was a frantic rhythm that made her want to do anything that would sooth it down. The kitsune's lips were on her neck.
"I'm sorry!" whispered Youko before sinking his sharp canines into her bare flesh. Sakura screamed for all it was worth. It hurt more than anything she experienced before. A burning sensation shot down from her neck along her spine and paralyzed her body. Before her eyes appeared a black spots as her sight began to collapse.
Sakura didn't know what was happening. In her mind she returned back to her home only to be brought to Kira's temple. The images were changing so fast and the emotions floating from it was driving her crazy. She wanted to end it. She didn't want to watch it again. This movie theatre from her mixed experienced and dreams. She wanted to go back home.
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"Why everything in me hurts?" Sakura asked into air. Her eyes were closed to avoid the pain from sunlight. She didn't expect anyone to answer her question it was more a rhetorical question. Her mind was hazy and she didn't remember what was happening to her before. Right now she was comfortable.
"Most possibly it will be from your fall!"
Sakura opened her eyes. Next to her was sitting Sesshomaru, his face serious. When she turned her head towards him, along her spine shot a burning pain. It started on her neck and continued to the small of her back. Sakura gasped for air, eyes wide and fingers clenched next to her.
"And this will be probably because of the mating mark on your neck."
"What are you talking about? What fall? What mating mark?" her memory was as blank as a sheet of paper. There was nothing. She didn't remember a falling from anywhere. And what in the hell was a mating mark.
Sesshomaru reached his hand and put some stray hair behind her ear. In his eyes was pain she didn't understand. There were questions all around her but she couldn't grasped them and made them sensible.
"What's going on?"
"Youko marked you as his mate. That's what happened."
"I see." All of it suddenly came back to her. Youko's apology and then the terrifying pain. From her eyes started pouring tears. Her body was shaking violently from sobs and pain far beyond physical. Once again was her soul shattered. Without knowing she was in Sesshomaru's arms and crying into his chest. She was wounded and hurt more then before. From her soul came only one desire. To go back home.
The Lord of western lands must know because without questioning he took her and walked out of the room. Maybe if she was in better state she could listen to cries of his own soul as well but she never did.
Back in his study he gently let her go.
"Stand calmly so I can send you back home." His voice was void of emotion while he was letting go of his evening star, still crying in front him.
From the river of time to the land of reality…
Sakura didn't hear him. From her eyes were pouring tears down her to her cheeks. Her mind was far away from the beautifully decorated room and a proud demon lord.
…guide your child back where thee belongs.
There was a shine all around her. Sakura could see the wall disappearing into blur. As a lightning she understood that this is probably the last time she sees Lord Sesshomaru. Sakura closed her eyes unable to watch him any longer. Before everything around her disappeared completely the door burst open and something small hit her into stomach.
"Okaa-san, don't go!"
Then everything disappeared.
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I'm sorry for this to took sooooo long. It was supposed to be posted three months ago, but since mu mum was taken to hospital I didn't feel like updating or writing at all. Sorry to keep all of you wait so much.
Thanks to you all who took the time and read it.
Murail