Chapter 12

Yay, I finally hit 10 reviews, so, now I'll give you the next chapter! And in answer to your question, the only reason you didn't hear any mention of Eriol was because I forgot all about him lol.

A quick review of last time, then on with the story!

The giant doors of the Li castle opened, and stood there was the Li royal family.

"Congratulations Li, but why have you brought them? Why didn't you kill them?"

"Years ago mother, you asked me to, besides we can use them."

Yelan smiled at her sons astounding memory.

"Fine, lock them in different guest rooms. We will get some servants to attend to Kinomoto later."

Li grunted and carried Sakura up the stairs, followed by Tomoyo, then Meilin.

Meilin took Tomoyo to a drab and dingy looking room. She shoved Tomoyo in, and without a word, slammed the door and locked it.

Li meanwhile, was more cautious of the Kinomoto. He placed her gently on the bed and chained her arms to the bedposts. She had said shed rather die and they were high up enough to jump out the window and instantly kill herself.

He took one last look at the beautiful princess, before locking the door behind him.

Li sighed. Who knew what his mother had planned for the beautiful angel.

ON WITH THE STORY!

When Sakura awoke, her head was pounding, she moaned with the pain.

Where am I? I must be in the Li castle! Why couldn't he have just killed me? He's a cheat! I should still own the title; he used his fists to win. A true swordsman wouldn't have touched my sword!

"Bastard!" she shouted aloud.

Li was standing at the foot of the stairs and heard the angry call. It looked as if his 'angel' had woken up. He sighed, who knew how long she would have to stay here.

He walked up the stairs grudgingly, carrying a silver tray, laden with cloths and towels.

His re-appointed servant Chelsea, followed in his wake, also carrying a tray, but this one contained food and drink.

"Change of plan servant, you'll take this food to the princess Kinomoto with me."

Li took a key from his pocket and unlocked the door.

Sakura glared at him.

"YOU! WHY CANT YOU JUST KILL ME? YOU CHEAT! THE TITLE IS STILL RIGHTFULLY MINE!"

Sakura struggled against the chains, but just hurt herself in the process.

Li remained calm, but his words were icy cold. He put the tray on the top of the drawer.

"If you don't co operate, then princess Tomoyo will be killed."

Sakura took in a sharp intake of air, he seemed calm, but when she looked into his eyes, there was no mercy, no love, and no warmth. He was dead inside.

"I want some food." Sakura demanded.

"That's better, see, you're learning already. First things first, I'm going to tend to that nasty cut of yours, we don't want it to get infected, do we?"

Sakura remained impassive. Li turned round to the servant hanging about in the doorway.

"Leave the tray outside, then you may leave."

Sakura thought that she recognised the servant from somewhere, but in her groggy state, she couldn't place it.

Li walked back over to the drawer, and took the small bowl of water from the tray, and a cloth.

Sakura didn't react as Li washed her wound.

This girls braver than I thought.

Li put the bowl and the wet cloth back on to the tray and took a small bottle of vinegar; he poured this lightly onto her gash.

Sakura clenched her teeth, so as not to cry out.

He looked at her, his face blank. But inside, well that was a different matter.

I don't know her, and yet I don't want to hurt her, but given the opportunity, shed gladly put arsenic in my drink.

"Why are you keeping me here?" Sakura said, through clenched teeth.

"My mother is the only one who knows why."

"Do you always do what mummy says?"

Li chose to ignore her comment, not wanting to anger her further.

He fetched some oil and spread it across his palm, he rubbed Sakura's wound roughly, and when he looked at her, she was wincing. Sensing her pain, he slowed down and rubbed gently. Sakura breathed a sigh of relief.

He stood up with his back to her (so that she couldn't see a slight happiness on his face) and fetched the bandage. He wrapped it around and around, like a never-ending coil of a snake.

Should I unlock her? She'll probably try and kill me…

Li deciding that locking her up would anger her, and make her seek revenge later, he unlocked her chains.

She rubbed her sore wrists almost instantly, Li reached out in the corridor for the tray, and slid it in. Sakura was sitting up now, but she looked too weak to attack him.

He placed the tray gently on her lap and turned to leave.

"Li?" he shot back round.

"Erm…I guess, erm…thanks." He smiled gently at her. And she noticed that his eyes were already beginning to show some emotion.

He walked out the room and Sakura heard a key turn in the lock.

This is perfect. I'll play with his emotions…and then, he dies!

Sakura giggled.

Li standing outside, thought it was because she was beginning to like him.

He skipped downstairs and danced through the entrance hall.

"Li!" Meilin ran up to him "You blithering idiot" what the hell have you been doing? The whole castles been looking for you!"

Li looked at her dumbly.

"The WHOLE family's here to celebrate your victory! Even cousin Eriol!"

Li slapped a hand to his forehead…

"How long is he staying?"

"Auntie Yelan said he'll be here for a few weeks."

Li groaned, it looked as if the following weeks were going to be full of dares and tricks.

"Come on lets go!" Meilin forcefully dragged Li to the dining room.

Upstairs:

Sakura was eating her food gratefully, she was starving.

A loud cheer erupted from somewhere in the house.

It must be his so called victory party. Sakura thought disgustedly. But soon, it will be Li's funeral.

Tomoyo listened to the roar from downstairs, but the rumble from her stomach was a fierce competitor. The noise from downstairs invoked an even greater sense of fear.

Was she going to be left there to rot? And what about Sakura, was she ok?

A:N / Ok, the end to a 'hand on heart' pants chapter lol, but hey, let me know what you think!

Vicks

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