Chapter 15: The Last Song of Dusk
A/N: Alright guys, here's the next chapter as I've said it wouldn't take long. Thanks for the reviews by the way. Remember the more the reviews the faster the updates. ; )
Sakura was about to explain how the truth affected everything in connection with their mission but a maid rushed into the meeting room. "Kouga-san, its Seiya-sama she's having difficulty breathing and she's coughing off blood." She said with panic and distress. Kouga immediately got up and was about to ask Sakura to come with her when "What are you doing Kouga? Hurry up let's go," Sakura was heading towards the door and Kouga simply followed. Gaara was about to leave too but "Gaara, I'm sorry but you have to stay here. The people now considered fighting back and we need you to lead them," Kagura ordered as Gaara simply stared after the back of the pink haired kunoichi as they disappeared out of sight.
As Kouga and Sakura dashed into Seiya's room, they saw her laying there as she helplessly spat out blood from her mouth to the floor. "Seiya, what's wrong?" Kouga asked as he lifted her from her position to lean against him. Sakura immediately began to assess her condition. At the end of the day, Sakura just made her relieve her breathing and somehow reduce her coughing. Kouga and Sakura left her inside the room to rest.
Pulling Kouga away from Seiya's room, "Kouga, how long has she been that way?" she asked. At first, he wouldn't answer but then Sakura touched his shoulder he heavily replied "Almost a year but it wasn't this worse before." She merely looked at the ground… afraid to look at him in the eye. "She's dying…" she revealed almost near to tears. "I know but I'm not giving up on her. Never!" he pronounced. "I knew you were going to say that. That's why I've decided to sleep here for a while to watch her more closely, if you or Seiya wouldn't mind?" Sakura requested. Kouga nodded with a smile written across his face.
That night when Sakura entered the room, she was greeted by a lively discussion with the Blood Countess as the topic. As she approached them, "Hey Sakura, we were discussing what changed when we already knew the truth now. I've already explained some to them as you've heard," Shikamaru informed. "How's Seiya?" Ino inquired. "I'll be living with her temporarily to keep an eye on her condition. But it's good you're thinking way ahead of me. Just inform me of the details tomorrow, okay?" She said. Now I know why it's good to have a genius for a team mate. Sakura then packed her things quickly and left as Azrael playfully followed her tracks.
"Hey here little buddy. Are you coming with me to keep me company?" Sakura asked the cub with a charming tone as the cub merely licked her nose. As they were heading towards Seiya's house, she felt a presence near by and she was so sure who it was. Azrael jumped off her arms and ran towards the figure behind them. "She knows you already," she said with a laugh. Gaara merely grunted as the cub clawed its way towards this chest to his shoulder. "You two look cute together," she teased. "What's wrong with Seiya?" Gaara finally spoke. "She's weakening. And if I'm not mistaken she's slowly dying," she replied seriously. "You can't avoid death even though you're the greatest healer," he quoted. Sakura only stopped and looked at him as she nodded her approval. "I know but… sometimes it's not the only choice." She replied. "By the way can I borrow your forehead protector for a while?" she asked. Bewildered, Gaara handed his forehead protector and as soon as she had it she walked away waving him goodbye.
Arriving in the mansion, Sakura quickly unpacked her stuff to her assigned room and immediately searched for Seiya. She was still sleeping when she saw her and Kouga was at her side he also had fallen asleep. Quietly, Sakura checked her vitals and other condition before pulling a blanket over Seiya and putting a blanket over Kouga as well. Before leaving the room, she glanced back at the scene she will be leaving; Kouga was holding Seiya's hand as Seiya wore a serene smile across her face. What good can a healer do if she can't save the person she really wants to be with? Disappointed with herself, she slid close the door and proceeded to her room.
The next day…
Sakura was requested by Kagura to stay with her patient as the others work on a new defense plan now consisting of more than a hundred people eager to defend their town. As she learned, the people were divided with one of the ninjas as their superior. Taking a walk inside the house, Sakura found a room that was out of the ordinary. The room unlike the others was dusty and old as if no one had set foot in there for ages. Stepping inside, she observed that it was a library… an enormous library. A big circular room with three floors; all containing bookshelves filled with old books. Sakura was about touch one of the books that caught her interest when, "This is the hall of knowledge," Seiya said as she weakly walked towards Sakura. "Seiya, you should be resting now. Oh, I'm sorry for entering this room without your permission. It's just that well," she explained. "Something was compelling you to enter," Seiya continued. "It's alright. After all, everything has been revealed yesterday, am I right?" she asked. "Well, yes everything… Wait how did you know that?" Sakura was baffled but not surprised. "I possess the blood of the prophet so I think I can somehow tell." Seiya informed.
As the two were chatting inside the hall of knowledge, Sakura was forced to look at one book that somehow attracted her the most. "The Summoners" that was the title of the book. "Is this…" she was about to ask when "Fiction? No it's not it was a record of a clan that was long forgotten by time," Seiya replied as her eyes were nailed only on Sakura that was now caressing Azrael with her other hand. "Oh I don't believe you've met my pet. She's Azrael." Sakura introduced. "Azrael? Where did you get such a name?" Seiya inquired. "I don't know it just popped it my mind when…" her thoughts drifted to the night Gaara gave her the cub and how the cub clawed its way in between them. "Sakura, why are turning red? Is it hot?" Waking up from her delusions, "Azrael because well… I somehow think it's sort of a name appropriate for a guardian." She spluttered. "It is yours if you wish," she suggested as she gestured towards the book. "Can I really have it? I mean it must be in your records and all right?" Sakura hesitated. "No, I insist. Consider it as a gift of gratitude for taking care of me… Maybe it will help you…" she said mysteriously.
That night, Sakura was almost finished reading the book. She was very curious to find out that these people called "the summoners" were not summoners at all. They were the greatest healers known to man having the power to heal even a person's soul but what frightened civilization about them was their legendary capability to summon mythical beasts. Though this hunch was never proven, the people grew afraid of them and fear could grow into something else. One day the people decided to exterminate the clan. The clan did not fight back in any way instead they only accepted what the people decided for them as their fate. She ended her reading there and decided to continue reading when she woke up in the morning.
But in the morning, she was immediately called by Kagura to lead a patrol in the north. To the very place they investigated first since a number of enemies were also spotted there. Other patrol parties were also ordered to investigate in the other direction as well and one of the patrol teams was led by no other than Shizuka. "I don't know why you still trust her after what she did to me. If I were you I'd watch my back," Shizuka warned Hyakku, Brick, Kouga, Fuuma and Syaoran as they were about to head off. Sakura was about to turn around to confront Shizuka when "Don't turn back, when you have to do something always look forward." Syaoran instructed as Sakura merely nodded and went on ahead followed by the five.
When they arrived in the ruins, they immediately began investigating. In about eight hours later, a falcon arrived bearing a message in its leg. It said: The Blood Countess as well as her army had been spotted by Shizuka's team in the South. You are ordered to go there immediately to aid in the Blood Countess' downfall. Sakura and her team immediately dashed to the south. As they were heading south, Sakura's mind couldn't help but wonder Why in the south? I was so sure that there was something in the north. I guess I was wrong…
Arriving in the battlefield, Sakura and her team started to fight. The commotion seemed to have settled on a single spot were a beautiful maiden with tattooed skin. She was fighting excellently with her whip. She swung her weapon towards the neck of the nearest person to her which was a ninja with light blue hair. Shizuka held the whip in order to restrain it from tightening or pulling but she was dragged backwards by the maiden. Sakura was battling a hooded creature when she saw this. Having no more kunai left, she kicked the scythe away from the hands of her enemy, dashed forward and reaped through the maiden's head. Death songs were heard all through out the battle but the song that came after the death of the maiden was different. It was beautiful and at the same time sad and terrifying. The enemy withdrew after their leader was slain. It was then followed by a victorious cheer by the people. "At last the Blood Countess was no more," Sakura heard them shout as she stared long and hard into the maiden's grotesque body. Somehow a doubt played in her heart as she looked at her face. Is this only what the Blood Countess had to offer? More over, is she really the Blood Countess?
As they returned to the village, the people cheered for the ninjas that aided them to victory. Kagura proclaimed that tonight would be a night for celebration. Sakura was heading towards Seiya's house when Syaoran caught up with her. "Sakura-chan, may you be my partner in the alliance ritual tonight?" "What alliance ritual?" she was curious to know. "It is a ritual in which one of the members of our village must perform a dance with a member of the village that wishes to form a pact of friendship with our village." "Wait, even if I agree to this ritual… I don't know anything about the ritual dance," she honestly replied. "Don't worry. You will know what to do when you're already there," Syaoran said as he walked away. "I'll just send you your dress," "Wait, what of the village of the hidden sand?" "Already taken care of," he waved goodbye.
It was already sunset when Sakura entered the mansion. Before going to her room, Sakura decided to visit Seiya. As she entered her room, Seiya was staring into the window as the dimming sunlight filled the room. "I hate the sunset. It makes my life seem shorter." Seiya shared as her gaze didn't leave the setting sun. Sakura was about to say the same thing as well. "It makes me feel weak when I feel its warmth leaving my skin. It was as if both emptiness and hopelessness eats me alive when I see the dusk. It makes me think that my life is worthless. As if when I die the people I care about the most would easily forget me for I hold so little significance in their life." Sakura unconsciously shared. "All this talk about sunset is making me gloomy. I know you've heard the news so why don't you join us in the celebration tonight?" she suggested. Seiya meekly shook her head in reply "I'm sorry but I don't think I can join you," "Oh, I see." "But Sakura I would be glad if you come join me watch the sunrise tomorrow," she requested. "We who hate the sunset must love seeing sunrise. Alright, it's a date then," Sakura replied as she winked. Later, she went to her room as she got the dress Syaoran was talking about.
Sakura had time so she read on the part she left out last night. When she was finished, she couldn't keep still with the information she read. The summoners were killed by the people who had the ability to control the sands. As their punishment for their cruel deed, a sand monster was created to devastate their town. Later it was then sealed. The last thing that kept ringing in her mind was the summoners had a quite distinctive feature… this was only written on the last page of the book. The summoners had natural pink hair but later the people invented an artificial hair color to make their hair in the same color to gain respect therefore the true heirs of the clan were lost in time.
Shifting her thoughts to a different mood, Sakura put on the dress Syaoran sent her. The dress was very elegant. It fitted her perfectly as if it was made for her. Having an embroidered golden dragon that somehow was encircling her legs as its brilliant silver eyes was sawn in her midsection. The black fabric trailed along for a good one foot making it hard to move. Her sleeves were embroidered with grey clouds as the white moon was sawn on the back portion. Her long pink hair was magnificently put up into an artistic way. As she glanced into the mirror, Sakura hardly recognized who was staring back at her. It was as if she was a living work of art and for the very first time she believed herself to be beautiful. The last touch was a veil to cover her face.
Gaara and the others were with the towns people celebrating when the drums began to beat a different tone. The people gathered around a huge fire and were waiting for something. "Uhh, Kagura-san what are we waiting for?" Naruto asked curiously with a slight tint of red in his face suggesting that he was half-drunk already. "Didn't anyone tell you? Tonight we will also see the alliance ritual between your villages and ours." Kagura replied as she held up a toast for the ritual's success. As Kagura spoke, the drums were silenced. Two surprising figures approached the flames, Hyakku and Syaoran both dressed like formal princes bowed to the crowd as the crowd bowed back. The two help up their left hands to the crowd and the crowd slowly parted to reveal two veiled maiden one dressed as the night and the other the day.
Sakura walked in the division with the other maiden dressed in a white kimono embroidered with a gray dragon with the sun in her back. Despite not knowing her identity, Sakura admired the elegance on how she fit the beauty of her dress. They approached the flames. Syaoran held Sakura's hand and Hyakku held the other maiden's hand. The sound of the flute then dominated the whole place. In an instant, Sakura and the other maiden removed their veil to bow to the people as their respect. Sakura didn't move her head but side glanced to find out who the other maiden was. The other maiden had light blue hair and… she was Shizuka. Shizuka also side glanced to see that the other maiden she admired was in fact Sakura.
"It's Sakura and Shizuka!" Temari blurted out. "Man do they look lovely enough to eat," Kankuro teased but when he saw a warning look from Gaara he shut up. Gaara, Naruto and Sasuke were looking in nothing else but in the lady dressed in black. Azrael stopped her frolicking with Gaara when she saw her mistress. The cub too watched Sakura as she was about to perform. Gaara could only swallow in reaction to what he saw. Sakura's beauty radiated her dark robe as if she was a maiden from the night sky. She was… enchanting. All the people's attention was focused on the maidens in front but it seemed that more people paid attention to the maiden with pink hair and black robe.
The melody of the flute changed and in that moment all reason abandoned the maidens as they started to sing a melody unknown by the other ninjas but was understandable to the villagers. "What are they singing? I don't understand it at all?" Ino asked Kagura. "It is a song of why they are here for. We call it the song of purpose." She replied. Then Sakura and Shizuka started to dance elegantly with their partners, it was ironic that during the dance the two moved with perfect harmony compared to their personality. In the end of the Dance, Syaoran held Sakura's hand as a blue ribbon descended from the sky to bind it and then it disappeared afterwards. The same happened with Hyakku and Shizuka. With the ribbon disappearing, the consciousness of the girls returned. The crowds cheered harmoniously. At last, the alliance was complete.
Sakura and Shizuka approached the group when the dance ended. A loud cheering and praises flooded the two as they came forward. Sakura looked at Gaara to find that Gaara was also looking at her. She smiled at him sweetly. And what surprised Sakura was that he smiled back. This was the first true smile he'd shown her ever since they met. It gave her the feeling of warmth all over and as if this was his permission to open himself for her. The moment could have lasted longer but someone was tugging on Sakura's sleeves.
It was Kira with tears almost demanding to flow from his eyes. "What's wrong Kira?" Sakura asked worriedly as she steered him to a corner where there were fewer people. "It's Mai, she missing. She told the people that she saw the enemy nearby but no one believed her because last time she told that she also saw the enemy but in truth there was none she only wanted attention but she told me what she saw today was true but no one believed her." He explained ceaselessly as tears flowed down his cheeks. "Okay, calm down I'll help you look for her okay." She reassured him. Kira merely nodded.
Sakura was walking along the town walls when she saw Mai at the other side… outside of town. Thinking there was no threat outside, Sakura decided to follow the girl. Mai was crying hysterically as she ran away from town. Sakura was surprised to know that Mai had a good endurance because she was running for three hours already and has ran for at least six miles already until she stopped.
Sakura lost sight of the girl but was surprised to hear a cry of pain from Mai. She dashed forward to see that Mai was held by five hooded creatures. Sakura with great difficulty because of her dress defeated her enemies. She was about to lead Mai to town again when "Sakura, blood is taken blood must be repaid," a dagger shot from the bushe and was targeted Sakura's heart. Sakura having little time and choice ducked but it was useless. The dagger planted in the top portion of her heart. A man emerged from the shadows. He had chestnut brown hair that framed his chocolate eyes. He looked like Syaoran but older. It dawned to her. "Ken! You're Ken. Why are you here?" Sakura shouted as she hid Mai behind her.
"I know you know why, Sakura-san." "Because the Blood Countess was slain," she guessed as now numbers of enemies began to appear around them. Ken laughed hysterically, "You think it would be that easy? You have to kill me first before you can lay a finger on her! But to explain it to you, the one you killed was her sister. This was some sort of revenge if you may see it that way. But also…" "Also what?" "I'm well aware you already know about the prophecy. But do you also know the prophecy's other side?" Sakura eyes widened as she said "The prophecy of the Blood Countess' salvation," Ken simply smiled. "Very good. Since you are part of it, I think you have the right to know the prophecy says,
Know this lady of the blood, to redeem yourself from you impeding doom. You must pierce the very soul of the last summoner. Let none of her blood be drunk by the earth. Only then can your salvation be secured.
"Which part of that was me?" Sakura asked helplessly. "The last summoner or what the people called your clan and now you… the last templar." Ken revealed politely as he smiled at her sweetly. The hooded creatures began an up roar when they held out a captive dressed with a beautiful white robe. "Shizuka, what are you doing here?" Sakura mumbled with her strength draining out. "Well, it looks as if you're not the only one who's going to die today. Kill them." Ken proclaimed. Sakura and Shizuka fought back. Shizuka had a gash in her belly so Sakura decided, "Shizuka, take Mai and go." "No! Sakura-neechan, they won't believe me. I won't leave you here," Mai cried out. "Mai, look here," Sakura handed Gaara's forehead protector with her bloody hand on the back of it Sakura had embroidered the words "I'll be there when your world falls apart," "Give it to Panda-neesan. He will believe you." Sakura forced a smile despite the immense pain in her chest. Shizuka merely nodded at her as she took Mai away.
"No one's leaving," Ken threw a dagger at Mai. Sakura threw her last kunai at the dagger to find that there was a second one hidden in its shadow and it was headed towards Shizuka's back. Without hesitation, Sakura drew out the dagger that was planted in her chest to repel the second dagger. Blood drained out of the wound but she kept her ground to guard their back.
Shizuka and Mai was running towards town when Wait a minute. This was the moment I was looking for… Shizuka slowed down and was now walking while Mai grabbed her hand to pull her. "What are you doing, neechan? Sakura-neechan, must get help immediately1 I must go to Panda-neesan and tell him…" "Oh shut up little girl. I'm tired so I'll just walk. You can go on ahead besides you can protect yourself from the hooded creatures as well as the wild animals in the wilderness. You can do that can't you?" Shizuka said cruelly as a smile formed in her lips. Mai was now crying loudly "You're going to let her die! I hate you! I'm going to tell Panda-neesan!" she protested. "And what little girl, don't you remember that no one now believes a thing you're saying? They'll only say you're looking for attention." She teased. Mai could only hide the forehead protector as her proof of her statements as she cried helplessly walking beside the woman who was now smiling triumphantly.
Three spikes of pure metal emerged from the ground as Sakura kept on fighting off her enemies. At this precise moment, she felt left out. Despite her new found allegiance, friends, comrades and loved ones, no one was there to help. she would even welcome the presence of Shizuka just to keep her from feeling the way she's feeling now. The hopelessness and the emptiness she tried to fight back ever since Sasuke's and Naruto's rejection came pouring down to her. She was battling both physically and emotionally and at both sides… she was losing. Her sight was growing dim, and as desperation became the only option, Sakura wounded and bruised dashed towards Ken with a weapon at hand.
Meanwhile back in the village…
A maid tearfully approached Kouga, as she whispered "Kouga-san, Seiya-sama won't be with you anymore." Kouga couldn't say a thing as he made his way towards the crowd to head or Seiya.
At that same moment…
It was easy for Ken to dodge her slow attack as he countered it by grabbing her robe, lifting her and dropped her weak body to the middle and the largest of the three spikes. The head of the dragon that was in her robe was now impaled by the spike and so was her whole midsection. The creatures then without difficulty, grabbed her hands to stab against the two other spikes. Sakura could no longer feel anything. She stared into the stars as she then realized. I guess this is it. At the end, I couldn't do anything. I wonder if he'll remember me at all. "Panda-neechan," these were her final words as her eyes finally closed as tears tarted to triclked own her pale cheecks and mixed into the blood below.
A/N:Is it simply understandable thatI kind of cried while writing this. Please... Please... Please R n R.