Here ya go. Another chapter. I'll be starting the next one when its actually DAYLIGHT outside. Bye Bye. Plz Read and Review.

Yumi

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Chapter 12: Fever

Syaoran's POV

I heard the glass shatter behind me. Some shards had pricked my hand and I was bleeding now. But no pain registered in me. I was staring to hate myself for being so damned clueless. My mother stared at the window in surprise. When her eyes reached mine they were shocked.

"Xioa Lang..." She murmured. She rushed over to me and checked my hand. I yanked it away from her.

"I'm fine mother." I huffed shaking my hand. She gave me a stern look.

"Tell me what is the matter my son. If you continue to do this you will kill yourself." Her voice filled with concern was masked with anger. I shrugged her off.

"Alright. I will call Chiahru when I am finished." She said but I did not say anything. My anger was boiling over. "Well Kinomoto-san has had a tough time living with her father." She began. I scoffed. A hard time is an understatement. She continued. " But because of her late mother she sent me a letter a few days before her death..." She paused as if in respect for Sakura's dead mother. I knew it was something more than just that. By what she had said it seemed that they had been close. "She informed me that she feared her daughters life and that if word was sent from her home that her daughter was not in a state to keep living there she would live here." I watched my mother carefully. It was not often that she showed so much emotion in front of me.

"Where you close to her mother?" Her smile saddened.

"Yes I was. We were best friends almost like sisters." She said her voice becoming almost barely audible. I asked no further questions because I knew if I did it would only become more painful for her.

"Mother?"

"Yes, my son?"

"How long are you allowing Sakura to stay?" I asked curiosity getting the better of me. If anything I could make her stay at the Palace permanently, it was much better then sending her back to that house. But I had a more selfish reason than that, I wanted to keep her near me. My mother looked at me shock evident in her eyes. "Mother is something the matter?" She shook her head and put a hand on my head.

"Nothing my son." Her hand slid down caressing my cheek. Her gaze was affectionate towards me. I looked at her curiously.

"Mother?" She said nothing just stared at me.

An urgent knock interrupted us, I could tell it was a woman because of the softness but the urgent sound to the knock was unnerving. Something was wrong. I went to open the door but my mother held me down. She pointed to my still bleeding hand and shook her head.

"Excuse me Yelen-sama, Li-samal?" It was Rika's voice. I looked at my mother with a pleading stare, just hoping that she would let her come in.

"You may enter." My mother said The door opened. I pulled away from my mother to look at the maid. But I was surprised to find not only Rika but Chiahru standing by the door. Chiahru looked at my hand then at the window.

"Li-sama, you were angry again weren't you?" Chiahru asked giving me a stern expression. I shrugged sheepishly.

"You caught me." I said with a weird smile. I didn't feel like smiling.

"I will have to tend it later. But aside from that, Good Evening Yelen-sama." Chiahru said bowing to my mother then to me. Her eyes lingered on me then shifted to my mother. I did not like the fact that they lingered on me. "As you requested Kinomoto Sakura has been accommodated. She is as of late sleeping in her room." My mother nodded. "But..." Chiahru paused for a long while. My patients was wearing thin.

"But?" I pressed her. I knew something was very wrong with Sakura. Nothing was said and my temper finally flared out of control. "CHIAHRU!" I saw both Chiahru and Nako flinch.

"I examined her health. She is in a critical condition. Many bruises were found all around her body some were still bleeding but seemed to be old. One on her arm was especially bad as I saw it was infected. There is also a deep wound on her stomach that is also infected but spreading as well. In addition because of the various wounds and two infections she has acquired a fever. But her breasts were also bruise up and her private area as well so there is possibility that she was-" I didn't here the rest of what she said. I had heard enough to know that Sakura was in a much worse condition than I had thought at first. I ran out of the room. I didn't care if my mother punished me later on for my rudeness. Sakura was suffering and that was punishment enough for me.

Normal POV

Yelen watched her son's change of emotions as Chiharu reported the conditions of Sakura. From pain to rage to sadness to suffering and even more. She marveled at all those emotions her son was displaying on his face. When Chiahru was about to revel the worse he ran out the room. His expression clearly showed distress. Chiahru stopped talking and Rika along with Yelen stared after the young prince.

"Chiharu?" Yelen asked. Chiahru lifted her head.

"Yes your Majesty?"

"Finish your report." Yelen said and Chiahru nodded.

"Her body shows signs of being sexually violated. But she was not, I made sure through a few tests." Chiahru finished. The queen was silent for a few moments. She did not like the report she had received. Her father was a monster.

"Chiharu continue to check on the Princess every twelve hours." Yelen said looking at the two servants before her.

"Yes your Majesty." Chiahru responded bowing. She rose and looked at the queen in question. "Out of curiosity, Your Highness, how long will the young girl be staying?" To Chiahru's surprise the queen smile kindly.

"She stays as long as she wants. Her mother has put me in full custody of the child. So she is like another one of my children." Yelen replied her own thoughts wandering else where. She turned to the other servant who had stood silent as stone beside their doctor. "Rika?"

"Yes your Majesty?" She asked her voice low in order to show respect.

"You are the little princesses personal maid. You do whatever she asks and always check-up on her in between your chores." Yelen assigned to her. Rika bowed.

"Yes, your Majesty."

"You both are dismissed. Your duties will go in effect immediately." Yelen said as she watched them go. Before the two reached the door they turned and bowed once again then left the queen alone. She stared at the full moon that was shinning brightly through her broken glass window. She smiled fondly at it. The events that happened right in her room went through her mind. But most of all she could remember Syaoran and his rage towards Fujitaka and the distress on his face when informed of Sakura's conditions. She sighed happily. "My son I would have never realized that such a small and timid girl would change you so completely. She paused and looked at a picture on her dresser. It was a woman who held a baby girl in her arms, a small boy's arms were around her neck and his head was on her shoulders as he smiled widely at the painter and kneeling behind them was a gentle man, his arms around his family looking at the painter with humble, meek eyes. She stared at the long gray haired women her eyes beginning to water. "You must have a wonderful daughter Nadeshiko."

With Sakura

Syaoran raced as if time itself was against him. Blood dotted the floor as he tried to keep it from hitting anything. He held his arm close and ran as fast as he could to her room. The blood began to splatter on the lower part of the walls and on the decorations. He arrived at her room with his blood making a small puddle below him. He breathed in deeply trying to control the panic that was rising inside of him. It didn't matter how hard he tried his nerves were at there end. He swung her door wide open almost knocking down a near by table that held a plant. Something collapsed on him and he was sent crashing down to the floor. The glass that was still on his hand dug into his skin. Sakura was in his arms. He didn't feel the sharp pain of glass entering flesh all he could feel was her hot body against his own.

"Sakura," he sighed almost relief to hold her. That relief quickly turned into panic. Sakura breathed in and out unevenly and stood up. She leaned on the wall for support while she limped down the hall.

"I-I..." she breathed in again. "R-Reu...I have to find..." Another deep uneven breath. "Reu."

She limped along still supporting herself on the wall. She knew something was wrong with Reu. She felt it every time she thought about her. She simply had to get back to the house. She had to or she feared she would never have the chance to see her again. Cool tears flowed gently down her hot sweaty cheeks as those thoughts filled her mind. That couldn't let that happen. Reu had to come live with her. She need to get out of the castle. She tried to take a few more steps but it felt like her feet were tons of bricks and cement. She couldn't leave and she knew it.

Syaoran watched her. He couldn't move. He couldn't think clearly. He watched as she made little progress. She didn't know just how far she was from an exit. His own eyes stung with unshed tears as he watched her. He was sad to see her state of health. He knew her emotions were being toyed with by the thought of that women. She was being tormented. But it wasn't until her body could no longer take the strain and she began to fall that he reacted. He scrambled to his feet but was too late. Sakura had crashed onto the hard floor with a loud thud. He didn't care about his hand. He tried to pick her up.

"LET ME GO! REU! I NEED REU! I HAVE TO FIND HER! REU!" Sakura's breath hitched in her throat and she began to hyperventilate.

"Easy Sakura." Syaoran replied managing to calm himself. He patted her back while she tried to regain her breath. When her breathing was regulated he lifted her up into his arms like she was his bride and swiftly put her back in bed. He tucked her in so he could only see her head. She turned her sad eyes to him.

"I want Reu..." She said. Syaoran felt heart broken as he saw her beg for something that she could not have or obtain. It seemed that one person was someone very dear to her. But she had left that horrid house and with that all the people that had helped her survive until now. He put his good hand on her forehead, he winced at the heat that radiated from it. Slowly he withdrew his hand.

"You need to rest Sakura. If you don't your fever won't get any better." He whispered softly. But she shook her head in clear defiance.

"I won't see her again will I?" She asked her voice shaky. Syaoran said nothing because he knew she wouldn't. Her tears came again and she began to whimper. "Reu." She sounded like a toddler asking for their mother. He patted her hair and smiled.

"It's alright Sakura. Just rest for now." She looked at him her eyes hazy from her fever.

"Stay here." She whispered her eyelids heavy. He stared at her dumbfound.

"Pardon?" He asked. She looked away and buried her face under the covers only leaving the top part of her face above the surface.

"Stay here with me, please." She asked again avoiding his eyes.

He took the chair from her desk and sat down beside her bed. With his good hand he gripped her own.

"Don't let go..." She murmured sleepily. "If you let go...I-I might not wake up...I won't lose you...not you...never you." Her eyelids closed. He kissed her forehead and allowed his face to linger over her own.

"You're going to be fine. I will make sure you are. I won't let go of you, not now and not ever, Sakura."

Three hours later

A light knock was placed on the solid wooden door but it sounded on deaf ears. Both teenagers were fast asleep. The person entered and smiled sweetly at the scene before her. Syaoran had abandoned his seat on the chair for the floor. His head laid beside Sakura's hip and he held her hand tightly in one of his own. She looked down at his hand and frowned at the dry blood and the shards of glass still stuck inside. Sakura's body was turned so that if Syaoran was still in the chair she would be facing him. As if she had realized that he was not in the chair she had curled into a ball now they were both facing each other. Their hairs were a tangled mess mixed together. Sakura had also laid one hand on top of the one Syaoran was using to hold hers.

Truly a touching scene. They had grown so close without realizing it themselves. Chiahru came over and tapped the young prince's shoulder.

"Prince Li." She called softly but he didn't move. "Please wake Prince Li. I must tend to your hand and I must check Princess Sakura's wounds.

He opened his eyes slowly when they focused on Sakura's sleeping figure. He smiled a bit happy to see her sleeping with such a peaceful face. He let go of one hand then slowly lifted up her bangs that were plastered on her forehead by her sweat. He heaved a sigh of relief then took his hand away.

"Her fever is finally gone." He whispered to himself. He turned around and almost jumped back in surprise. Chiahru was staring at him. "W-Why are you here?" He asked trying his best to keep his speeding heart under control. Chaihru smiled at him.

"I wanted to check if the Princesses fever had gone down but it seems that you have already taken care of that." She said making the young Prince blush in embarrassment. He mumbled something under his breath that Chiharu couldn't make out but giggled non the less at his tomato like face. "Let me take care of that hand of yours first." She said.

"But Sakura needs you right now." He answered worried that her wounds were not healing well. Chiharu shook her head.

"Yes but she would be happy if your hand was treated first. The Princess would not want to see you suffering would she?" Chiahru said trying to persuade him. He looked at her skeptically and she knew it wasn't working.

"But it doesn't hurt." He argued.

Chiharu pulled the chair away from the bed towards the center of the room.

"Prince please sit down." She said her tone leaving on room for argument. He did what he was told.

When he finally sat down she placed a small box on the floor which held her medical tools. She knelled down and held his arm gingerly. Chiahru pulled out a bowl from the box and filled it with a clear water like substance. She dunked his hand inside the bowl. Syaoran winced at his hand began to sting. She made him leave his hand in there and placed a cloth on his leg. Then she placed his hand there. With a pair of tweezers she began to pull out the many tiny shards of glass that were still encrusted in his flesh. When she pulled out one the fluid that was still left on his hand seeped into the small holes that had formed. A small hiss would be heard but it was nothing serious. She wiped up some blood that had trickled out of the holes then bandaged up his hand.

"There we go." She said sighing in accomplishment. She loved to see a minor wound freshly bandaged up and smelling clean. Secretly she sniffed his hand to make sure that perfect scent was still strong. It was. Syaoran took his hand away a little freaked out.

"You must leave my Prince. I must clean the young Princesses wounds." She escorting him out.

"Princess?" He said giving Sakura a glance over his shoulder. She slept soundly. "Chiharu I have noticed that you have called Sakura a Princess more than once." He said giving Chiahru a whimsical look.

"Well yes, has your mother not told you?" She asked. He stared at her obviously not knowing what she meant. "I suppose its from the best." She said smiling broadly. Syaoran was beginning to think their doctor had gone loopy. He backed away slowly. But before he left he went to Sakura and squeezed her hand slightly. This he hoped would make her know that he wouldn't be gone for long.

"I will be right outside." He said before leaving.

Chiahru checked Sakura's temperature to make sure her fever was gone. But the second she touched her forehead Sakura stirred slightly. Luckily she hadn't woken up. She began to undress her. Every time her fingers touched Sakura's skin she would stir. At one point Chiharu touched her stomach to take off the bandages and she started to thrash in her bed. It was hard for her to keep her down and take the bandages off. If it continued like that Sakura would hurt herself. She really had no choice but she couldn't understand why this was happening. She left the princess alone but her thrashing did not stop. Chiahru quickly called the Prince inside. He came inside but when he saw Sakura almost naked again he turned around his cheeks burning bright.

"Chiahru you do know that she's..." He couldn't finish his sentence.

"Yes I know. But I cannot tend to her. She won't allow me."

"What do you mean?" He asked but she shook her head. Sakura had stopped thrashing when Syaoran came in the room.

"It doesn't matter. If you won't look at her I cannot show you."

"Then what do I do?"

"Hold her hand." She said simply. Syaoran turned to give her a stupid look.

"Huh?"

"Just hold her hand!" She said dragging him back to the bed. "Oh, and don't look at her while I'm changing her bandages."

Syaoran nodded and closed his eyes. This time he was able to wrap both of his hands around her own. Her hand was so small and warm he was afraid he would break it. But he held it gently like a delicate flower. Chiharu was able to change the bandages without any resistance from the Princess. When she finished Sakura was in a new dress and her arms and legs were clean and bandaged as well.

"There we go." She said with another satisfied sigh. Syaoran opened his eyes and glanced at Sakura's face.

"Her cheek." He said.

"Oh don't worry about that, its completely healed. Luckily all that is left is a barely recognizable scare. I thought it was infected before but it was only because it had not been cleaned or taken care of properly. But the rest of her body needs more time." She explained. Syaoran's face remained serious as he nodded when she had finished.

"I see." He said.

"Also she must come to me every twelve hours for constant check ups. Do you understand?"

"Yes." He replied automatcally. Chiahru said nothing for a long moment. It was only a test to see if the prince would say anything but he didn't. He wasn't angry or annoyed. But he seemed completely alright with her talking to him in such a commanding manner.

"One more thing Prince Li." She continued her face clearly showing concern.

"Yes?"

"Rika will be her personal attendant. The princesses must not wander out of the castle alone and must be under watch at all times."

"Alright, you are dismissed." He said absently. Chiharu nodded and bowed to leave. "Oh, Chiharu," She turned back to him. He smiled warmly at her and unconsciously a blush decorated her pale cheeks.

"Y-Yes?"

"Thank you." He said. "Thank you for taking care of Sakura."

Chiharu nodded and rushed to get out of the room. When she was outside she leaned on the wall and sighed dreamily.

"The p-prince smile at me..." She said but then slapped herself mentally for thinking like a love sick princess. "But he truly is charming. More charming than Prince Hiragizawa if he smile like that more."