Chapter Eighty-Nine

When Fai had sensed the faint ripples of Sakura's magic near the door, he'd prepared himself to see Syaoran's reaction. He'd expected relief, maybe even a little happiness, combined with the cloud of guilt that seemed to hang over the boy. What he was not prepared for, however, was the total change that came over Syaoran's face when he saw her. His lips parted slightly as he whispered her name, too quiet for her to hear with her less sensitive ears. His pupils dilated until only a thin, amber ring remained around the edges of the black. A faint flush crept into his cheeks.

All of that would've been expected—of course Syaoran would be happy to see her. But it was so much more than that. When Syaoran saw her, it was as if every cell in his body bloomed with new life. As if he'd been deathly ill and had suddenly been restored to health. Fai had not realized how haggard the boy had looked until the exhaustion had been replaced with joy.

And something else, Fai thought as Sakura rushed across the room and knelt down beside Syaoran. The boy sat up, joints cracking with the swiftness of his movement. A spasm of pain shot across his face, swallowed up almost instantly by his exuberance. "Sakura," he whispered, the name so fervent that Fai could think of no comparison to judge it by.

Fai smiled and stood up. "I've got to go check on the laundry," he told them. Their gazes never wavered from each other's faces.

He walked out through the door and closed it behind him. Then he turned to Kurogane, leaning against the wall. "That was nice of you."

The ninja shrugged, but his eyes hadn't left the paper wall. After a few seconds, his expression softened. "Figured the kid needed to see her more than she needed to practice."

Fai nodded. "I think he's needed that for a long time. Probably since before he left."

Kurogane tensed. His chin dropped half an inch.

Fai frowned. "So what did he say to you, to change your mind?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You were planning on waiting until Sakura was done training before you told her he was awake. Or am I wrong?"

Kurogane's eyes flashed back to the door, as if he could see something beyond it. "That was the plan."

"So what did Syaoran-kun say to change your mind? It must've been something."

The ninja was quiet for a moment, contemplative. "I wanted him to understand what he'd put us through by leaving. I figured he'd explain why he did it, when he was so much better off with us."

"And?"

"He said he thought we wouldn't care."

Fai bit the inside of his lip. Ah, he thought, looking down at his feet. "He's still healing. Once he realizes he's safe with us, things will come easier to him."

"It's not that. My problem is that he was right. We treated him like shit for weeks, and he never complained. He kept things from us, about Seishirou, that he might've shared if he'd thought his fate had mattered to us. He never said a word, so we kept treating him like shit—" He broke off, and Fai glanced up. The ninja was staring at a spot on the floor, his hands clenched into tight fists.

"We made a mistake," Fai said quietly. "Our little family shattered. But at least now we have all the pieces back together, right?"

The ninja's expression evened out a little bit. "Right. But it's still not going to be easy."

"No," Fai said, listening for any words beyond the doorway. While it wasn't silent, it seemed that neither of them had any words. They don't need words to communicate anymore, Fai thought. They've both been broken so many times already. They understand. "It won't be easy. If it was easy, it wouldn't be worth it."

The ninja looked at him sharply. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. Just an old Ceresian saying."

Kurogane narrowed his eyes. "What do you really mean?"

"I wish you wouldn't get like this, Kuro-pyon. Truly, I didn't mean anything by it."

The ninja glowered at him for a long moment, then looked down the hallway, out beyond the window. Light was streaming in from the east, leaving a patch of sunshine on the wooden floor. The slanted pillars of light illuminated the dust motes in the air. It was . . . peaceful. No, it won't be easy, Fai thought. But for now, at least, they can be happy.

From the moment she walked in the door, the whole universe seemed to orient itself around her. The sun shone a little brighter through the window. The dark support beams of the walls stood out in sharper contrast to the paper background. But for all the room seemed to come to life, there was only one thing he was looking at.

"Ah, I was wondering when Kuro-pyon would send you in, Sakura-chan," Fai said, looking over to see the miracle that had walked into the room.

A thousand feelings rushed through Syaoran as she ran to his bedside, too fast to comprehend. All mingled together in a weak cry. "Sakura."

Fai stood up, murmuring something about the laundry. Syaoran didn't break eye contact with Sakura. He couldn't.

"Syaoran," she whispered as the door slid shut. His heart raced at the sound of his name. "You're okay."

"Yes."

Her lower lip trembled a little bit, as if she was about to burst into tears. Syaoran braced himself, unsure of the emotion behind the tremor. But then, something amazing happened.

Sakura smiled.

A thousand times, he had seen her smile through the Other's eyes. A thousand times, she had lit up his world with her tender, carefree grin, without him even being present. It had been a small comfort in his years as Reed's prisoner. But to see it with his own eyes—to see it now, knowing he loved her—made his heart soar. He leaned forward, inhibitions abandoning him, and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "I missed you," he whispered into her ear.

Her hands tentatively traced his ribs as they encircled him. "You've gotten thinner," she said softly, hands moving to his shoulder blades.

It's been a while since I've fed, he thought, noticing the warm scent coming off her skin. Ever since his transformation, he'd tried to avoid coming in close contact with humans. Their appetizing scent jumbled his priorities, even when their blood was concealed under a layer of skin. A very thin layer, part of him thought. He felt his teeth sharpen against his lower lip.

Sakura's voice grew hesitant, her arms drawing tighter around him. "Have you been . . . taking care of yourself?"

"I'm fine."

She pulled back, her lips sinking into a frown, and he regretted his inadequate response. At least she didn't let him go.

"So, Seishirou turned you into a . . ."

"A vampire," he confirmed.

"Which means you'll need blood to live?"

Tension tugged at the muscles of his back. She couldn't mean . . . "Yes," he said cautiously.

Sakura nodded once, slowly. He could almost hear the words on the tips of her tongue, could almost make out the sound of her voice from his years of watching. But he waited for her to speak.

"I could . . . I mean, if it's not too dangerous, I could . . . help you."

He shook his head, a quick, jerky movement. "I'm not that thirsty."

Her green eyes flashed up to him, then down to the floor. Her hands drifted away from his back to his ribs, and she looked at him again, asking for permission. Syaoran said nothing, frozen by the pleasure of her touch. Her fingertips trailed over the bumps of his ribcage. I really am getting thinner, he thought, suddenly wishing he hadn't been such a pathetic wreck since he'd left with Seishirou. I need to feed more often, so I can protect her.

"I don't want you to be in pain," Sakura said softly, her eyes darting toward the door. "And I'm sorry the way I acted in Infinity hurt you. I didn't hate you, not ever. It was just . . ." She looked away.

"I wasn't your Syaoran," he finished, watching her face for some sort of reaction. She winced.

"I should never have been so cold to you. I didn't realize how much I'd hurt you until the day you left. Right now, more than anything, I want to make up for the pain I caused you by helping you recover, so . . ." She halted and inhaled, as if she'd run out of breath. "So, even if it only helps a little bit, I want you drink my blood."