Chapter 7 ‘balance’ Nighttime in the badlands is beautiful. There are no lights, nothing to distract from the beauty of the moon and stars. They shine quietly above my head, reminding me that somewhere, somehow, there is a beautiful and peaceful place where people can be happy. Because I am very far from that place. I am here on the earth, where there is only misery, pain, and grief. I know nothing about myself, I have known nothing but a life with the army, slave to a creature I hate. I see her face, look into her eyes, and know that she holds the key to my past, that together we might discover who we are and what we once meant to each other. But that chance is gone. I left her. I actually let her go, unable to deny her her happiness. She has chosen to love someone else, I could see it in her eyes. How could I hurt him, knowing what sadness it would bring her? How could I take her and leave this horrible life of mine, knowing how she would shrink from my touch and wish that I was someone else? And so I let her stay, with him, praying all the while that he cares as much for her as I do and that he can protect her as well as I could. And I fled, not escaping this life like I had hoped to, but coming straight back to the only home I know. As much as I hate it and long to fly away, I can not leave this land and close myself away from her forever. She might be in danger one day, and she might need me. And I have to see her again. She is too precious to me to deny myself that. Even if it is only for a moment, and I can’t touch her or feel her, I want to see her again. This is why I return to my master’s encampment. This is why I land the now-empty transport and stumble down the ramp, ignoring the stunned looks of my remaining men and forcing myself to enter his quarters. I drop to my hands and knees, filthy and disheveled, and spill out as much of the story as is safe to tell. I know he’s really going to be angry this time. I don’t have the energy to dodge his blows tonight, or try to defend myself. Maybe he’ll kill me, and I’ll go up to that beautiful place in the night sky. Maybe there, there are some who know who I am. ***** "And so you took out their cannon with your blaster alone?" Julian whistled and sat back. "So we do have you to thank for our battle last night. We wouldn’t have gotten through with as few casualties as we did if they’d had that to point in our direction." Li was silent. "What happened to the gunner detail?" "Killed them." "All of them?" "Sakura helped." "I’m sure. I hope you didn’t put her in danger, Li." There was a sudden frosty note in his voice, and Li glanced up to meet his commander’s eyes. Normally a warm brown, they shone with pale silver and glittered possessively. Then Julian blinked and the silver disappeared. Li decided it must have been a trick of the light. "Well, a whole day and a night out in the wild with nothing but each other. You must have gotten to know each other pretty well." "Somewhat." Julian smiled. "Perhaps now you’ll be able to get along better." "Maybe." "Good," Julian said cheerfully, missing the slight scowl that crossed Li’s face. "All you needed was a little alone time to spend with each other. I’m just glad that you both made it through all right." His elbow slipped on his desk and he accidentally hit the button of his holo projector. "Now I’m sure you must be tired - " "Who is that?" Li had straightened and leaned forward, staring at the activated image with more than avid interest. "Hmm? Oh, it’s nothing. Just this strange thing that happened last night in the battle at the river fork." "What happened?" Julian shrugged. "Well, you’ll never believe this, but I was in the middle of reloading when this captain came from out of nowhere and aimed his blaster for me. Then it was like he changed his mind and ran away again." The look in Li’s eyes was enigmatic. "Changed his mind?" "Lowered his blaster after looking at me for a click, then turned and ran off. It’s really bizarre, I know, but it happened. I was just trying to figure out why he might do that, but we don’t have any information on him besides his name." "What is it?" "Tory Avalon. Why, have you seen him too?" Li hesitated, then shook his head. "I’m tired. I’m going to bed." Without waiting for an acknowledgement, he stood and marched to the doorway of Julian’s cave. There was a tense look to his back that signaled unhappiness. Julian frowned quizzically as the young man stormed out the doorway, punching the door viciously as he went. Now what’s gotten into him? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tory did his best to fight it, but the pain would not be ignored. It was insistent, nagging, forcing him slowly into consciousness. Reluctantly he let go of the dark and opened his eyes. At first all he saw was the khaki material of the tent ceiling, then the healer leaned over and examined his face, checking to see that Tory’s eyes contracted normally. "Where…" "Shh. Don’t speak, sir. Even opening your eyes is too much exertion for you right now. You are in bad shape. Frankly, it’s a miracle you even survived." Survived? Everything was hazy in the pale light, but Tory made an effort to focus. He was lying on a cot and couldn’t see most of his body, but by turning his head slightly he could see his left arm, no longer bleeding but covered in freshly healed wounds. Thin, neat scars, always in sets of four. "I’ve been closing them up, one at a time, for most of the night," the man continued. "Sun’s starting to come up, and I’m still not through. You were unconscious and lying in a pool of your own blood by the time he let me collect you and bring you here. I don’t think he’s ever beaten anyone so badly without killing them." Tory tried to make a fist with his hand and winced at the pain that went shooting up his arm. There was no part of him that didn’t hurt. "Deserved it," he murmured. "I failed him." The healer raised his eyebrows and set back to the task of closing those wounds that were still seeping blood. Not only were there cuts and scratches, but dark bruises were blossoming across the captain’s chest and back, indications that Blade had chosen to strike with his fists as well as his claws. He had obviously intended for Tory to live, but to hurt as much as possible. As if he could do anything to hurt me, more than what she has done. The physical pain is nothing, my heart is what needs healing. Tory watched the man open his hand, and white magic sprinkle down onto a slash across his ribs, adhering to the wound and closing it. His magic, I can see it. I can see everything, the magic on Blade’s sword, the magic that nearly killed Sakura, all of it. Why? I couldn’t before. The change happened after that first night I was with her. That moment before I kissed her, I could feel something wake up inside me. She’s the one that opened my eyes, she gave it to me. How? Who are we? What are we? ***** "I brought you breakfast," Tomoyo announced cheerfully, entering the cave just as Sakura was preparing to get out of bed. "Don’t get up. You must be absolutely exhausted after all that hiking you had to do." If anything, Sakura’s legs were twitching for want of activity, but she smiled and allowed Tomoyo to perch on the edge of her bed and hand her a bowl of gruel. "Thank you." "I bet you’re famished. I heard Li telling Julian that you two ate nothing but a prickle plant the whole time." Sakura’s stomach was fluttering so hard that the sight of gruel actually made her feel noxious, but she forced herself to swallow a spoonful. "I’m sure it was difficult, knowing the things he’s said to you in the past. Was it terrible?" Tomoyo leaned forward, eyes sympathetic. Sakura looked up from her food. "Actually, Li…he’s not so bad when you get to know him. He has his reasons for acting the way he does." "Uh-huh." Tomoyo studied her friend perceptively for a moment and began to draw some conclusions. "There’s nothing going on between us," Sakura added hastily, not liking the look in those violet eyes. "We just talked. That’s all." "Uh-huh." There was a hint of skepticism in her voice. "Really," Sakura pleaded, but Tomoyo only smiled again. "It’s none of my business, Sakura. You tell me whenever you feel ready." She patted Sakura’s hand and stood. "I have to go help Mother, there’s still plenty of people to be tended after that battle two nights ago. You just concentrate on resting, okay?" She stood and exited, leaving Sakura to stare at the remainder of her breakfast with distaste. I should be starving. All I had was a bite of that plant yesterday, and with all that exercise, I should be gulping this down. But my stomach is so jumpy. She set the bowl down on the floor and swung out her legs to stand. I’m so jumpy. It’s happening again, the twitching, the shaking, this feeling that I might explode if I don’t get up and do something. What is wrong with me? It’s even worse than before. It’s him. Just touching him made it worse. He really can affect my body, in ways that no one else can. Not even Li with his kiss made me feel like that. She paused in her thoughts for a moment to dwell on the memory of that kiss. How wonderful it had felt to melt into his arms on the top of that mesa and give herself totally to him. He had been absolutely delicious. So I feel the same way about the both of them. How can I choose? No, that isn’t quite true, she told herself. I don’t feel the same way about both of them. I feel equally strongly for the both of them. But it’s not the same. I can’t explain it, can’t define it, but it’s different. Her hands were starting to tremble with her inactivity, and she stumbled out of the little cave onto a walkway. Her mental images were blurring, blending back and forth between Li’s kiss and Tory’s weight on her. First one, then the other. Both called to her. Both made her insides churn with fear and excitement. How to decide? Another of those strange noises made her look up and peer over the railing. It wasn’t so much that she could hear it, really, as she could feel it. This time it was louder than ever and seemed to be coming from the healing caves. What is it? No one else ever pays any attention. Am I imagining it? Am I going mad? I think I am. I don’t understand what’s happening to my own body, and I don’t even know how to explain it to anyone. How could I admit what Tory did to me? I’m in a cavern full of people but I’m all alone. Sakura’s body had had enough. Quivering with her freshly gained power from the night before, she collapsed onto the metal walkway and began to shake. No one looked up, no one was paying attention. Why should they? She was a nobody in the rebellion; nothing that was going on in her insignificant life had any importance. The last of her resistance broke down and she threw up, only vaguely aware that someone was holding her head up and catching it in a bowl. "It’s worse," she panted. "Can’t – can’t hold it in – everywhere…" "Shh." Li placed a finger over her lips. "I know. It’s okay. I can help." She weighed practically nothing as he lifted her up and carried her back to her bed. She was still twitching, but she seemed grateful for his firm hold on her and was trying to submit. "This is something my mother showed me a long time ago." Her eyes widened at that and she allowed him to pin her shoulders to the sheets and stare directly into her eyes. The chant that he was murmuring had a kind of musical, steady beat to it. The rhythm enchanted Sakura, even though she couldn’t understand the words, and she found herself falling into it, hypnotized by the gold flecks in his eyes. In her mind she could see a beautiful woman with long black hair, waving a fan and chanting the same song, sending a little boy to sleep. Things became blurry, hazy, and the image faded. Li was lost in the darkness, and then she was too. A curtain of black fell on her world. Damn it, Li thought as he watched her breathing grow regular and even. It’s even worse now. I knew I felt her power grow last night. I don’t know how it happened, but now she’s ripe with it. She could really be a danger to herself, or others. I’m going to have to stick close. I didn’t want to, not after everything that happened last night. It hurts just to look at her face. But I’m the only one that can do it. I have to watch out for her. ***** "Watch out for her now." "I will." "Good boy. I know you can do it." Tory had an extraordinarily vivid image of Sakura’s face, and then he jerked awake. The healer gave him a startled look as he sat up on the cot, breathing heavily. "Sir, please lie back down, you shouldn’t be - " "My clothes." "Sir?" "My uniform," Tory snapped. "Bring it to me. Now." "Sir, I can not allow you to get up in your condition." "Do it," Tory said coldly. The soldier gulped a little at his smoldering gaze and hastily vacated the tent. Tory ran his hand experimentally over his body, testing the various sore places. His chest burned and it hurt to breathe, but that would fade in time. He could feel another bruise on his shoulder, and there was probably one on his back as well – it felt like it. The scratches were more worrisome, but he’d had worse – just not as many all at once. All for losing an entire troop of men and still failing to terminate the rebels. But he couldn’t do it either, he failed too. He was really just taking out his frustration. Let’s hope it’s burned off by now. Dusk was approaching by the time he was able to pull on his clothes and limp stiffly out of the tent. He’d spent half the night and most of the day resting, which should be plenty. He couldn’t lie around like an invalid, not when he had an obligation still. He was one of the few that could stand between Sakura and Blade, and he had promised someone – even if he didn’t know who – that he would watch out for her. Even if she didn’t love him back, he would continue to protect her. Glancing towards Blade’s transport, he caught two yellow eyes watching him from the shadows within. For just one moment, in the surreal light of the sunset, Tory allowed himself a challenging glare, straightening his back and lifting his chin. For one blissful moment, he let his true emotions come to the surface. I owe you everything, but I hate you. I have disobeyed you, and I am glad of it. I’d take a beating twice as worse, just to keep her out of your claws. You may own me, but you cannot control my feelings. Nothing will stop me from loving her. Then the moment passed and Tory tore his gaze away, limping on to the rations tent. That had probably not been a wise move, but it had felt very good. Curiously, he wondered how much the Reptil had understood. ***** "He is the Moon Guardian, I am the Sun. Our powers are meant to strengthen and complement each other’s." The words sounded familiar, though she could not recall who had told her this before. In front of her, two dazzling points of light danced in the darkness. "So beautiful," she murmured and reached out to touch. But which? Gold or silver? Day or night? Sun or moon? "The universe is in continuous balance," someone explained. She had heard that before somewhere, too. Sakura glanced behind her to see a handsome, older man. The robes he wore were clearly of an ancient culture, with his long black hair pulled back at the nape of his neck. The corners of his blue eyes crinkled a little as he smiled, and she smiled in return. "Who are you?" "Just an old man," he answered cheerfully. "Not important anymore." He seemed to think that was amusing, and he laughed before fading into the starry background. Sakura felt inexplicably sad at his departure and turned around in a full circle. "Wait," she called out. "Come back. Who are you? Where did you go?" No one answered, but the two lights seemed annoyed that she was no longer paying any attention to them. They whirled around each other, faster and faster, until all she could see was a circle of light, a blur of gold and silver. It looked very much like the symbol Li had shown her, with different colors. She watched the glowing circle return to Li’s forearm, and he pulled his sleeve down, concealing his family’s mark once more. "Balance. That’s what the yin-yang means." "Wait, Li." She reached for his shirt, not wanting him to cover it. "It’s important." "No." He intercepted her hand and held it, caressing it tenderly. "You are." *** It was after that unsettling remark that she woke, and she lay still for a moment, certain that something was not right. It was so dark. By habit, she reached for the other side of the bed to discover that Tomoyo was not there. What time was it? There was the sound of a curtain being pulled aside, and someone entering. In the darkness, she could barely see movement, but she knew who it was anyway. "Dream?" Li inquired. She nodded, and then remembering that he couldn’t see, answered out loud. "Yes." She felt awful, and the inside of her mouth was sticky and sour. Gradually the events of that morning returned to her, how he had taken her in his arms and returned her to her bed. Where was she now? "Where are we? What time is it?" "The sun’s setting outside. I brought you down to the healing cave for a little privacy; we’re way in the very back. I made sure nobody would be concerned." What did he mean by that? Had he actually used his magic to repel Tomoyo and the others? Why did he always seem so determined to get her alone? Li was pushing something into her hands. "Drink some water. You’ll feel better." She took a nervous sip. It did taste like ordinary water, but that was no guarantee. Still, she was so thirsty that she gulped it right down. "Was he in it?" She didn’t understand right away, and then recognized the barely-hidden bitterness in his tone. He was asking about Tory, and she glared a little in what she presumed to be his direction. "No, actually, he wasn’t. But thanks for asking." Li breathed a little easier at that. "What happened?" "Why are you so obsessed with my dreams, Li? They don’t mean anything. And why did you bring me down here?" "You needed the space." "That’s a snap judgement on your part. And you used your magic on my friends to make sure they wouldn’t argue. Unbelievable. All I had was a little dizzy spell." "It was more than that." "Again, your opinion." Sakura was getting a little angry as she spoke, and Li could hear it. Cautiously he tried to take the bowl from her hands, but she jerked away from his touch and tossed it on the ground. "Don’t touch me, damn it! You’ve done it again, made sure that I’m in your hands, that you have control of the situation. If you want to take me, just go ahead and do it!" She was getting a little loud, and he placed a hand over her mouth. "Shh. Quiet. That’s not what this about, all right? Sakura, I would never, ever, do that to you. Just trust me, please. This is for your own good." She gave a muffled response, and he removed his hand. "You’re scaring me," she whimpered, and he thought he heard her sniffle. "I feel so strange all the time, and everything that’s happened with Tory…I don’t know anything anymore. And over all of it, you’re there. Watching me, saying these crazy things, keeping me close to you. Why?" Li relaxed a little. At least she didn’t seem angry anymore. The danger was over. He felt for her hand in the dark and covered it with his own. "Because – because I think there is something wrong with you. I still haven’t figured it out yet, really, but I am worried about you. I don’t want anything to happen to you." He was rubbing her hand, just like in the dream. How strange… "Why?" He surprised her with a sudden chuckle. "Do you find it so inconceivable that someone cares about you?" "Well, um, yes. I’ve never really been that important. I don’t know who I am, or where I’m from. Nobody cares." "That’s not true and you know it. I care. Julian and Tomoyo care." "I know," she admitted. She didn’t like herself very much when she allowed herself this indulgence of sorrow, and tried to pull herself out of it. "At least you know your roots. Maybe you’re not proud of everything your father did, but at least you knew him. I wonder what my parents were like." She was starting to feel weary again, and drained. Li’s chant must be particularly powerful, she thought, and yawned. Li started to pull away, but she gripped his hand in hers tightly. "Don’t," she murmured drowsily. "Please. It feels nice." Li wavered indecisively for a moment before lying down on the floor next to the stuffed pad. He could hear the sheets rustle as she settled herself, and pictured her face in the absolute darkness. "I think your parents were probably wonderful people," he offered, and he could almost hear her smile. "Really?" "Sure. I bet…your father was a very wise and kind man. We’ll say that you got his light brown hair." She giggled. "And your mother, well, she was probably the most beautiful woman in the badlands. Maybe all of Tomoeda." Sakura gave a wistful sigh. "That’s where you got your green eyes, naturally." "You think so?" "Certainly. She looked like an angel. How else to explain your beautiful face?" She blushed in the darkness and smiled. Something about Li’s statement bothered her a little, nagged at her, but she pushed it away so she could concentrate on this fantasy picture. "Do you think they were good people?" "Of course. And they loved you to pieces. You were their precious daughter, after all. You were the light of their lives." It was a wonderful story, even if it wasn’t necessarily true. She closed her eyes and drifted off again, dreaming sweetly of a woman with long hair that held her close and kissed her. Li could feel it as she submitted to sleep, and relaxed his hold on her hand. The question remained with him, though. What had her parents been like? A person doesn’t grow magical ability. Not like Sakura’s been doing these past few days. You’re born with what you have…born with everything. But Sakura doesn’t know where she came from, or what she was born with. Is it possible to – to forget that you have magic? Li sat straight up in the dark. Such a question had never occurred to him before. If there was no one there to tell you that you had the power, what would happen? Would it just atrophy inside your body, go into such a deep sleep that even a creature like Keroberos couldn’t sense your magical ability? It was crazy and farfetched, but implacably logical. Li heard her murmur something aloud that sounded like ‘mama’ and then settle back into sleep. That was it then, she had been born with magic, probably to two very powerful mages. But, that still doesn’t explain what reawakened it. The enemy, Avalon, he’s got something to do with it. Why him? What is it about his touch that’s got the ability to ‘remind’ her body of her power? Li felt another flash of jealousy and scowled. Whether he liked it or not, the captain did share some kind of connection with Sakura. What it could be, though, he simply could not imagine. Or did not want to. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- When Sakura awoke again, she felt much better. Her body was begging for activity again, but at least she wasn’t consumed with nausea. Eagerly she stood up and made for the curtain, but before she could reach it, Li pulled it aside and entered. "I brought you some - " He cut off as he saw her standing there, clutching Julian’s oversized shirt to her chest. "Where are you going?" "Out, of course." She tried to step around him, but he moved to block her. "Why?" "What do you mean, why? Because I feel better. Let me through." She tried to step to the right, but he moved and blocked her again. "Li, stop it." "You shouldn’t be up," he said anxiously, dropping an olypyl fruit on the ground and placing his hands on her shoulders. Sakura felt his muscles tense in readiness and gasped. "Do you actually think you can keep me down here, Li? I don’t know what kind of sick game you’re playing, but I won’t stand for it. You can’t make me your prisoner." "I know, I know," he said quickly, though he was still resisting her efforts to walk past him. "I just…I’m worried about you. I don’t think you should be around other people right now." "But I should be around you? You’re starting to make me angry, Li." "Please don’t be angry," he pleaded, and she thought she saw genuine fear flicker through his eyes. "Please. Just calm down, and take a deep breath." He demonstrated, inhaling deeply as his hands slid down her arms and around the small of her back. Sakura was distracted for a moment by the way that his arms were enveloping her, holding her tightly… Then she realized that that was exactly what he had intended and began to struggle. "No. No, let me go, Li, you can’t keep me down here. Somebody! Tomoyo, help!" "No one is going to hear you," he murmured softly into her ear. The soft tickle of his lips over her skin made her tremble longingly, but what he was doing was an outrage. She couldn’t let him get away with it. "No…" "Shh. You don’t want to fight me. You want to relax, and listen to me." Li was sweating with fear, he knew she could crush him easily, but he had to keep her back. He couldn’t let her go wandering about the Honeycomb in her state. Desperately he called up every bit of magic he could summon and poured it into his trance spell. "There is nothing out there for you. Here there is safety and security. Here is where you want to stay. Isn’t that right?" "Not sure," she mumbled. Her resistance was weakening, her muscles relaxing. Maybe she’d had more power than he’d ever seen in anyone, but she had no control over it, no discipline. Her mind was as easy to affect as any other person. Li felt a slight twinge of guilt at using his magic on her like this, but it was the only thing to do at the moment. "Why don’t you sit down, and eat something? You’ll feel better." "All right." She slumped onto the stuffed pad at their feet, sliding out of his arms and leaving him shaking with fatigue. That had taken far more power and magic than he would have preferred, but what alternative was there? He had to press the fruit into her hands and show her how to eat it before she could continue on her own. "I’m sorry." "For what?" "Never mind." It occurred to him as he watched her eat that she would quite willingly take him to her bed. It would be so easy – No. No, I’m no better than the enemy if I do that to her. I could never forgive myself. Before he could be tempted, he scrambled backwards and made himself sit against the far wall. I made a decision to watch out for her, protect her. I will not use her. Even if I’m dying to kiss her again, and feel her body next to mine. I’m stronger that that. He clenched his fists. I can resist. ***** "Good," Tory muttered. "Sir?" "Huh?" Tory blinked and returned to reality, focusing on the soldier standing before him. "Oh. You were saying?" "Er, we detected a family of nomads passing north of the encampment and brought them here for questioning. We thought perhaps they might know of the rebels’ movements." The lieutenant shifted carefully as he eyed his senior officer. He could swear his captain had completely spaced out on him. With an effort, Tory dragged his attention to the hapless prisoners standing some distance away. "That’s fine. Just the father." "Yes sir." The soldier saluted smartly and turned to single out the patriarch and haul him to a tent. The woman shrieked in terror, but another of his men pushed her casually down, and she dropped to the ground in a shivering huddle. Torn apart… He hadn’t realized it, but he was starting to shiver a little himself. Glassily he watched the little boy march up to the soldier, full of impetuous rebellion, and inform the lieutenant to – "Keep away from my…" Tory whispered. "-mother!" he shouted, drawing a laugh from the watching soldiers. Almost as an afterthought, the soldier reached back and struck the boy across his face. The skinny imp went sprawling into the dirt. Tory flinched. There was an explosion of pain in his mind, and an all-consuming blackness. An impatient hiss… "Captain? Sssomething troubling you?" Blade was a breath away, standing just to his side, something that looked like amusement glinting in his yellow eyes. Tory could not tear his eyes away from the family. Now the boy was really angry, but his mother was holding him back by his ragged shirt, preventing him from going at the soldier again. This only provoked more laughter. "No," he finally answered. "No what?" Hmm? Tory had to think hard before he realized what Blade was waiting for. "No, master." He bowed his head, but the correction had come too late. In one swift move, Blade snatched his collar and threw him up the ramp, into the darkness of the transport. It was so quick that no one even saw, and Tory felt a fresh outburst of pain upon impact. His bruises were still far from healed. "Idiot boy," Blade snarled and pulled back his leg to kick. Just in time Tory rolled away, but he couldn’t avoid the claws that flashed out and squeezed his upper arm. Tory gritted his teeth as he fought to voice no sound, while Blade dragged him to his feet. "Do you really think I haven’t noticssed? Your willfulnesss? The prideful look in your eyesss when you ssstare in my direction?" His powerful claws were on both of Tory’s arms now, and he slammed the captain into the metal wall of his transport, drawing a wheezing gasp from Tory. "You are nothing. You are my ssslave and owe everything to my generosssity. Would you betray your massster?" "No, I - " "Sssilence!" Tory winced as Blade’s claws dug into the flesh of his shoulders, holding him still. The Reptil was leaning forward and flicking his tongue over Tory’s face. "Her ssscent was all over you when you returned to me. What are you hiding?" "Nothing, master." Tory’s voice was shaking, he was horrified to discover, and forced himself to breathe. "I engaged the female in physical combat…I remembered my master’s orders that she be brought to him alive." Blade’s forked tongue was tickling over his skin again, going lower, down the side of his neck. Tory forced himself to keep his pulse low and even. It was all over if Blade got so much as a whiff of his deceit. Tory’s mildly suicidal attitude from two nights before had receded, his natural resiliency having resurfaced. He was determined to live, determined to see Sakura again. "Foolissh boy," Blade growled and released his hold. Like the mother outside, Tory dropped to the ground and remained there, keeping his eyes fixed on the floor. "Forget about the female. Sshe isss nothing. It isss the male that mussst die. The ssson of Li can not be allowed to sssurvive." There was a moment of gratitude that Blade’s attention had shifted away from Sakura, then he frowned. That’s right, she did call him Li. I thought it was his given name, but – "Li? The eastern ruler?" "Ex-ruler. The ssson isss too dangerousss; he isss too powerful a fighter. I want him dead." I wanted him dead too, Tory thought miserably. Could I kill him, knowing what that would do to her? "Your performance sssince the female’s capture hasss been mossst disssapointing, boy. I am tempted to remind you who you owe your allegiance to." Tory trembled. Not now, please no, please, he couldn’t do this now… "Do you require sssuch a reminder?" "No, master." There was a throaty snarl above him as the Reptil paced. Tory didn’t dare raise his eyes. "You ssshall have one anyway." ***** A sense of uneasiness, something not right, nagged at him. Li stirred slightly and tried to push the feeling away, but it was too persistent. Something was out of order. Gradually his eyes opened and he blearily took in the empty, curtained-off, cave. Empty! Li bolted upwards and jumped to his feet. The pad Sakura had been sleeping on was quite vacant, the sheets cold, both to his hand and his senses. She had been gone for a while. Damn, damn, damn, he thought furiously, as he tore through the healing cave and out into the open cavern. I thought for sure she would sleep through the night. She had resistance to my spell after all. Frantically he scanned the cave, but he could not see her or feel her. Where could she have gone? What if she hurt someone? It will be all my fault, he worried, as he thundered up the stairway to the cave where she normally slept. I was supposed to watch over her, I knew how powerful she was. I shouldn’t have fallen asleep! She wasn’t in her cave, and neither was her clothing. Anxiously he ran on to Julian’s cave, but there was no one there but Julian himself and Kero, both eating dinner. "Have you seen Sakura?" "Sakura?" Julian repeated dreamily. "I’m not really sure…" "Oh, never mind." The effects of Li’s concern-deflecting spell were still lingering, obviously. Li turned and fled, scrambling down the stairways as fast as he could go. The Honeycomb was crawling with people and she could be anywhere, he had to – No, Li. Stop, and listen. You know what Wei would say. He would say to concentrate, and to try and ‘feel’ her. You know you can do it if you try. His footsteps slowed and he came to a stop right there in the middle of the open cavern floor. Members of the Resistance were everywhere all around him, a rustle of background noise in his mind, but he pushed it away. Instead he was concentrating on finding that one, distinct aura. The one that he had grown very familiar with over these past few days… ***** "Hello again," Neitzsche cooed. "At long last you’ve reemerged." He could feel it again, the power, and it was even stronger than before. How utterly tantalizing, he thought dreamily. She had been hidden from him ever since his summons had failed; her protector had constructed an admirable shield with his devotion and proximity. But now they were split again and Neitzsche had her once more. But the sun has already gone down, he noticed with dismay. The time for a summons is past. Naught can be done now, I can only reach out and feel with my mind. Perhaps she will strike out again, wouldn’t that be delicious? Every drop of magic she releases only makes it easier for me to find her. It is only a matter of time. ***** Li kept his eyes firmly closed as his glider soared out of the caves and into the dusky twilight. The sun had gone down, and though it was still light up top, the ravines and canyons were plunged into darkness. I can’t believe she actually left the Honeycomb again. Is she mad? But at least it’s safer than wandering amongst all those people. The sense of her was growing, becoming stronger and more defined. Startled, Li realized that he was coming right up on her and his eyes snapped open. He almost shot past her before he slowed to a halt and turned around. She paid no attention to him, but kept her eyes firmly on the terrain before her. Li raised his glo-rod to get a better look at her face, but she turned and looked away. "Hello." "Go away." "Can I ask what you’re doing?" "Isn’t it obvious? I’m walking." She continued to stomp along the uneven and rocky floor, and Li wondered at the wisdom of marching over this ground at night. "Don’t you think you need a light?" "I can see fine. I needed to walk, needed to move my legs." She rubbed her arms and gave him a frustrated look. "The blood in my body – it’s vibrating. I can’t take this, I have to drain off this energy." Li drifted backwards as she continued to walk, watching her in silent sympathy. He could understand the anxiety of bottled-up energy, but she would never drain it off with physical activity. "You can’t do it like this, Sakura." "Don’t you tell me what I can and can not do," she snapped. "You’ve really been pushing the limits, Li. Telling me what to do, keeping me prisoner in my own home, putting me in trances…" She flashed him an angry glare, and he blushed. She could actually remember that? "Leave me alone. You do not own me!" ***** "The army is my home. My master took me in when there was no place for me to go, fed me, clothed me. I owe everything to my master and his; I live only to fight in the name of our lord Lothar." "Again." Tory’s voice was cracking with the strain, it felt as though sand was rubbing against the inside of his throat. He was consumed with a desire for water. "The army is my home. My master took me in when there was no place for me to go, fed me, clothed me. I owe everything to my master and his; I live only to fight in the name of our lord Lothar." He gave a rasping cough and dully wondered how long he had been reciting. Several parsecs, at least. The daylight had faded from the windows of the transport, and Tory could see pale moonlight filtering through onto the floor at his feet. Blade’s large booted feet paced back and forth in that moonlight, then turned and walked away, out of Tory’s vision. Probably getting himself another glassful of wine. Tory desperately tried to swallow, generate more saliva, but there was nothing left. It wouldn’t be long before his voice was entirely gone. He shifted slightly, wincing at the aches in his stiff muscles, trying to find a new position. This was a humiliation that he had not suffered in several cycles, not since before his promotion to captain. It was only very rarely that Blade felt the need to remind Tory of his domination over him, how ephemeral Tory’s quasi-status was. "I hear only sssilence." "The army is my home. My master took me in when there was no place for me to go, fed me, clothed me. I owe everything to my master and his; I live only to fight in the name of our lord Lothar." His wrists chained to the wall at the level of his head, Tory’s arms had gone completely numb. His back hurt from sitting on the cold hard floor, unable to move. Another spastic pain shot up his neck, but he would not give in to the luxury of a stretch. He had endured this exercise in recitation before. He knew the rules. Don’t beg for mercy. Don’t beg for water. Don’t beg. Say nothing but what you’re told to say. Sit still. Whatever you do, don’t look up. He wants your eyes on the floor, where they belong. To look up is to face death. "Again." ***** When he realized that she wasn’t going to stop, Li finally landed directly in front of her, blocking her path. Sakura only made a noise of exasperation in her throat before trying to go around, but Li would not let her pass. "Stop it, Li. You have no right." "You’re wrong, Sakura. I have every right. I care about you, and you are in danger out here. I’m trying to look out for you. Please just let me do it." He sent her the most appealing look he could muster. "I’m asking you not to argue." She hesitated, then looked down at her hand. In the blue glow of the rod in his hand, she could see it starting to shake. I can’t. I can’t sit still and let him nurse me. I have to keep moving. "Get out of my way." "No." Li almost flinched when she stiffened, but she refrained from physically attacking him, probably because she thought there was no chance she could win. He would let her hold onto that idea, at least for now. She settled instead for stamping her foot angrily on the ground. Li cringed, but only a slight breeze ruffled his bangs. "What is wrong with you? Why can’t you give me a moment’s peace? I’m only going for a walk, Li, where do you think I’m going? To him? Is that it? You think I might change my mind and turn myself over to the enemy, just because he loves me?" "I don’t know." "Baka," she spat, using his own word on him. He raised his eyebrows slightly, but did not move out of the way. "I’m sorry that it bothers you so much, I truly am, but I can’t help the way I feel. I can’t help the way he looks at me and how his touch makes me tingle inside." Li swallowed and clenched his fists. Another breeze lifted his hair off of his damp and sweaty face, bringing relief. "You don’t have to go into so much detail," he growled, and she lifted her chin rebelliously. "Do you think I’m enjoying this, Li? Do you think I’m thrilled that I have feelings for the enemy, and that I love the way my insides lurch with the thought of him? Well, I don’t. I’m upset, and confused, and I hate it!" That last part was delivered with surprising vehemence, and he almost missed it when she skirted him and began to walk again. He reached out and snatched her wrist, pulling her back to him. "I know you’re confused. I know that this upsets you. Believe me, Sakura, it upsets me too. But I can’t let you go wandering out into the night alone. It’s not safe." Half-heartedly Sakura tugged, but his grip was unyielding. Unexpectedly she felt her eyes brim with tears. She should have known that he would stop her. She was so helpless around him, and she hated him for it. "Not safe?" she repeated scornfully. "As if you ever cared for me before. ‘Two shakes of a talyp tree’, I believe, were the words you used. Tell me when this obsession started, Li. Tell me when you woke up and decided your life would not be complete until you had pestered and harassed me into complete isolation and took me completely. That’s what you’re really after, isn’t it? Why don’t you just come out and admit it!" Offended, Li squeezed, drawing a tiny gasp of pain on her part. "Let’s leave my personal feelings out of it," he said coldly. "I started caring for you the night I noticed you were more than what you seemed. And I don’t want anything to happen to you!" "More than what I seemed? There you go again with the bizarre remarks. I can’t take this anymore, Li. I can’t take you, hovering over me, keeping me close to you, making my decisions and controlling everything in my life. I’m going insane, do you hear me? Let go, already!" Her words were punctuated with a distant rumble of thunder, and Li almost jumped with surprise. He hadn’t noticed that the moonlight was disappearing as they argued, and now the only light was the scant glow of his rod. Looking upwards, he saw the brilliant swathe of stars had now been covered by a thick blanket of clouds. Sakura took advantage of his distraction to wrest her hand free, but she couldn’t help looking up as well, confused. This wasn’t the season for dry storms. What was going on? ***** Tory watched the moonlight on the floor fade, and wondered if a cloud was passing over. To raise his head and look out the window was impossible. Blade’s boots were coming in and out of his vision as the Reptil moved through his sword drills and patterns. He wasn’t hurrying, Tory noticed. "Again." "The army is my home," Tory choked. "My master took me in when there was no place for me to go, fed me, clothed me. I owe everything to my master and his; I live only to fight in the name of ou - " His words were lost in a dry and hacking cough, and he felt his gag reflex rise. Desperately he squeezed his eyes shut and forced the nausea back down. "- our Lord Lothar," he finally managed, and Blade gave a grunt of approval. Tory felt a shudder go through his body and slumped against the wall. It had never lasted this long before. Did his master really suspect betrayal on his part? Why are you doing this? he mentally pleaded. Don’t you realize it only makes me hate you more? I know better. It’s why I couldn’t take Sakura as my prisoner. I know better than you that you can’t force someone to feel loyalty – or love. You can’t control my thoughts, master. You can’t control how I feel. And I hate you. "Again." "The army is – is my home. My master took me in when there was no place for me t-to go." Tory was horrified to discover that his delivery was faltering; he was so exhausted. He knew that that was just what Blade wanted, to break him completely, push him beyond his limits. I won’t. I won’t give in, I refuse to quit. Unbidden, the memory of the soldier cuffing the nomad boy flashed through his mind. There could be such a thing as standing up to the enemy too much. The sharp blow across the face, the sudden blinding pain… Blade paused in his drilling to cast a curious glance over his slave. He was clenching his fists and shaking slightly, and there was the tiniest whimper of pain in the long silence. Finally he seemed to gain control of himself again. "Fed me. Clothed me. I owe everything to my master and his; I live only to fight in the name of our lord Lothar." "Very good," Blade praised, and wondered if the boy had had enough. Had that rebellious glint in his eye been erased for good? Perhaps just a little more. He was really enjoying himself. ***** "Please go away!" she screamed in frustration, pulling out of his range as he tried to grab her again. "You can’t keep doing this, Li, you can’t make me love you this way!" Li recoiled and felt his heart twist painfully. "I’m not trying to," he gritted. "I swear it. If you would just calm down and come back to the base with me - " "So you can chain me to the bed? Forget it! I’d rather turn myself into Tory and take my chances with him. Maybe he’s the enemy, but at least he respects me!" She gave a choking sob and tried to bolt as he stepped closer, but in the thickening darkness, she couldn’t quite see where she was going and tripped. With a yelp she fell forward and tumbled down the gentle slope. "Sakura!" Anxiously Li leapt forward, holding his glo-rod aloft. The moonlight and starlight were completely gone by now, hidden by the veil of clouds. Brilliant white lightning streaked across the sky, followed by another, louder, crash of thunder. "Sakura, are you all right?" "Leave me alone," she sniffled, and he found her at last, a little dusty but unhurt, pulling herself up by a mid-sized boulder. "I don’t need you looking out for me, don’t need you saving me. I just want to do something on my own." Li was about to reply when he stepped closer and got a better look in the light of the blue glow. "Sakura." His voice was deadly serious, and she actually looked him in the eye. "Don’t move. Don’t even breathe. Don’t do anything." His eyes were wide and he looked pale, even in the unnatural light, and with a twinge of fear she obeyed. "What is it?" she whispered softly. He hesitated, then spoke. "Scintsect." She squeaked and started to tremble, he hastily held up his hand to signal quiet. "Shh. Don’t make a sound. Don’t upset it. Just stay calm, okay?" "Stay calm?" she hissed. In a spasm of fear she gripped at the boulder with both hands, longing to jump in the air and run as fast and hard as possible. But such an action was suicidal when trying to escape a scintsect. Even more deadly than a qunthar was the little insectoid, fierce predator of the badlands and no bigger than a human palm. Although it would feed on all varieties of bugs, its poison was so virulent that it could dine on small mammals and birds if it chose. Another rumble of thunder rolled across the sky, and Sakura shivered. In response to her movement, she could feel the light prickle of claws across her back. It was crawling off of her shirt, onto the bare skin of her shoulder, and she shut her eyes and whimpered. Don’t move. Don’t make a sound. Don’t look. ***** The sound of thunder echoed outside as Tory endured another long, hacking cough. This one was even worse than before, and it was a few clicks before he managed to get himself under control again. His throat was so dry, he could swear he heard his breath whistling down it. When would this torture end? "I am waiting." Can’t, he almost said aloud. I can’t, I can’t do it anymore. I’m sorry, Sakura, so sorry. I failed you. I just can’t go on, I can’t do this any longer. He’s beaten me. I am his slave, and I am powerless to resist him. He was about to break down and beg for relief when he opened his eyes a little and gave another wheezing gasp. Oh gods. She’s here again. Indeed she was. There could be no mistake, and this time she was standing directly in front of him. The long dress floated just above the floor and rippled, beckoning to him, glowing with an ethereal and unworldly light. The mysterious woman had returned, and Tory almost reached out to touch before he remembered that his wrists were chained to the wall behind him. But she was right in front of him, and he could see her so clearly. If he raised his eyes, he knew he would be able to see her face at last. Discreetly, he tried to turn his face up. A sharp cuff across his temple took his breath away and left him gasping. "Eyesss on the floor, boy! Do not think you can be willful with me! I will drink your blood tonight!" Tory couldn’t reply, struggling to collect himself as he stared at the hem of her dress. So tantalizingly close…why had she chosen to visit him now? Why at this lowest point of degradation? "Please," he whispered, although his voice had been reduced to such a hoarse quality that it came out more like another wheeze. "What?" asked Blade dangerously, experimentally flexing his fist. Please…let me see her. ***** That damn lightning and thunder isn’t making anything easier, thought Li. It might scare it into biting her. Li positioned the glo-rod on another boulder and drew closer, scarcely knowing where to start. Sakura was just barely managing to keep herself contained, he could see, and if she let her magic lash out, who knew what would happen. She might kill the scintsect. She might kill him. "Please," he said softly. "You have to be still. You’re making it nervous." "I’m making it nervous!" "Sakura." She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but it wasn’t working. Instead, all she could see was one of the fighters of the Resistance. Two seasons ago, he had been scaling the cliffs and put his hand right down on one. By the time the others returned him to the Honeycomb, maybe just ten clicks later, most of his arm was already black and softening. They had all watched in horror as he fell to the floor, shaking and foaming at the mouth, before his eyes filled with blood and then collapsed inward. Tomoyo’s mother was the one that spread out a blanket over him then, even her healing magic couldn’t save him from a scintsect bite. Sakura had tried to avert her eyes, but she would never forget how that blanket had gradually fallen flat against the ground. His entire body had crumbled within half a parsec. "I don’t want to die," she cried, and felt Li’s hands brush softly over her hips before resting on her waist. He was standing just behind her, and spoke in a steady voice. "You’re not going to die, Sakura. I won’t let that happen." Lightning flashed again then, so bright that it lit up the entire sky like daylight. He could see clearly the black and orange insectoid, rubbing its legs together uncertainly on her exposed skin. Little and fragile, but big enough to kill. ***** She was still there. Why? Why was she torturing him like this? He hadn’t had a chance to see her face before Blade struck him, but he’d recognized her long and wavy hair, flowing like her insubstantial dress. The specter was eerie, and frightening, but no more frightening than the too-real presence of his master, clouting him across the head again. "Sssay it! Ssspeak up, boy!" "The army is my home," Tory babbled desperately. "My master took me in when there was no place for me to go, fed me, clothed me. I owe everything to my master and his; I live only to fight in the name of our lord Lothar." "That’sss better," Blade evaluated, and hefted his sword casually. His slave was suddenly rigid with tension, he could see, he was breathing a little faster, seemed a little more alert. Why? There’s nothing here to be afraid of – but me. "Did I tell you to ssstop?" Tory felt the cold edge of his sword slide down past his jaw, pricking his throat lightly. In this position he was afraid to even take a deep breath, there was no question of raising his eyes to see her face. To make things even worse, the blade was still rife with that malicious energy, pulsing red in his peripheral vision. He wasn’t just seeing it this time. He could actually feel the pain and terror, the death and destruction that this sword had inflicted over its lifespan. "The army," he began again wearily, "is my home. My master t-took me in when there was no place to g-go, fed me, clothed me." He paused for another ragged breath, then realized that there were two familiar wisps in those knots of red energy. What…how…where did that feeling come from? How can anything be familiar? "Yesss?" Blade prodded, and twisted his sword slightly. Tory winced at the pain, and frantically tried to remember where he’d left off. "I owe everything to my master and his," he finally guessed, a little fearful. But when Blade said nothing he plunged onward. "I live only to fight in the name of our lord Lothar." As he said it, he had the most peculiar feeling that it was true. I owe him everything…he took me in. Everything. ***** Was there nothing, Li thought despairingly, that could distract her? Something that might make her totally forget her situation for even a click? Finally he just said the first random thought that crossed his mind. "You know," he murmured softly into her ear. "I’m beginning to think that I never really loved her. Meilin." He felt her quick intake of breath, and the sudden distraction in her mind. At last her body ceased to shiver, and he began to trace his hands across her flesh. "I mean," he amended, "I loved her. She was one of my family. She was a good, sweet girl that did not deserve to be murdered." One of his hands was creeping up her back, the other up her arm. Very, very slowly, he was converging upon the hesitant scintsect. "I had never thought much about it before. I knew we were to be married, and that was all there was to it. I’m not sure I ever really loved her the way I know she loved me. The way that she used to follow me with her eyes, the way she would run and jump to get me anything…it was breathtaking, it really was." She was absolutely quiet, listening to his words with fierce concentration. "She knew what love was before I did. I didn’t understand then. I didn’t know how true love could really make you feel. How it could make you want to do anything to make her happy. How you would go to any length to touch her, and be rewarded with her touch." Li was breathing hard, but he didn’t stop speaking as he blew softly on the scintsect, making it scuttle nervously across her shoulder, toward his hand. "How you would do anything to ensure her safety, and take any risk to divert danger away from her. True love can make you want to die for her." Finally the little predator reached a decision and crawled into his open hand, and Li breathed a sigh of relief. Sakura was safe. Its touch had been so light that she wasn’t even aware it was gone yet, as he turned slightly and rested his hand on the boulder by his glo-rod. He’d moved perhaps a little too fast, and it raised two of its legs in apprehension. "And the astonishing thing is," he continued, staring at it as it vacillated, "you don’t even care. You just want to make her happy. And if that means sacrificing yourself, then so be it." After what seemed a lifetime, the venomous insectoid crawled off his hand and onto the boulder. The next lightning flash was reflected in Li’s hidden knife as he flicked it out of his sleeve and stabbed in one sure move. Its legs twitched, and then it lay still. Turning back to Sakura, he realized she didn’t even know the danger was over yet. She was still gripping the boulder in front of her and standing rigidly. "Do you think," he murmured as he returned his hands to her waist, "that you understand what I’m talking about?" She jumped a little, but he shushed her soothingly as he slid his hands around her slim waist to rest on her stomach. "When it’s so intense that you are consumed night and day for her safety, and you keep watch over her, even if she doesn’t like it, because the thought of anything ever happening to her fills you with dread." His lips were directly over her ear now as he spoke, tickling it with their softness. He was pressed so close behind her that he could feel her swallow nervously. Li was a little nervous himself, but her nearness was intoxicating. He couldn’t stop now. He couldn’t back away. He’d just come so close to losing her forever, and he had to convince himself that she was all right, that they were still together in this world. "But I do respect you," he added. His hands were moving up now, sliding over the material of her shirt and brushing over her breasts. He felt them lift with a sudden shallow breath on her part, and he had to remind himself to breathe too. He needed her, with a sudden overwhelming desire that would not be denied. He prayed he wouldn’t have to. "So tell me if you want me to stop this." His fingers had found the knot that tied her shirt closed, and were lazily pulling it out. She gave a tiny shake of her head, her heart suddenly beating fast again. With the removal of the threat, her blood had begun pounding again, only now it was raging, consuming her body in a roar. She needed release, her body craved something that she didn’t altogether understand. Li felt the temperature of her skin begin to heat up, and responded with his own flush of stimulation. And then his lips were brushing over her ear, down to her neck, and they were opening so he could plant a light kiss on her skin. Above them in the skies, though neither saw it, lightning danced across the sky in a frenzy. ***** Tory could see the flashes on the floor. So much lightning. It’s not the right season for storms. What’s causing all this? The interior of the transport was absolutely quiet. Blade had said nothing, either to rebuke or to command him another verse. She was coming closer now, her translucent dress wafting towards him. He could now see the bottom fringe of her wings, just slightly longer than her hair. That’s it, he thought dreamily. She’s an angel. She’s come to collect me, take me from his claws. But who is she? Why can I see her? Tory was starting to lose his grasp on reality, after the long night, and was only vaguely aware that Blade’s sword was no longer pressing into his flesh. Perhaps the long session was finally over. I’m sorry, he sobbed mentally. I’m sorry that I can’t look up and see your face. He’ll slice me open if I do. But I love you, I really do. I would go with you in a heartbeat if only you’ll take me with you. He kept his eyes steadfastly on the floor, gazing at the hem of her dress. It wasn’t only fear of punishment now; tears were running down his cheeks, dripping off onto the material of his pants. She hadn’t come to collect him after all, he realized after a moment. He didn’t know how he knew. She had only come to see him, though he didn’t know why. There was a coldness on the top of his head, and with an eerie tingling he realized that she had kissed him. She was sad for him. His eyes were squeezed shut against more tears, desperate to hide the longing in them. There was another cold brushing across his face, and he knew that her hand was caressing his cheek. Please…don’t go…don’t leave me here. The feeling faded, and when he opened his eyes, she was gone. Completely, as if she’d never been. He was all alone once more. Such was his desolation that he barely even noticed when Blade pressed the latch and released him. His numb arms dropped down to his side, and still he stared at the spot where she had been, willing her to return. But the angel had left his side. ***** "Does it hurt?" he whispered into her ear. Frantically she shook her head in denial. "Does it feel good?" "Yes," she moaned. "Oh, yes. Please, Li. Please…Syaoran." At the sound of his name, he wrapped his arms around her even tighter and pushed faster. She did not hold back, but pressed up to meet him, panting and moaning with pleasure like he had seen her do before in that battle against the gunner detail. But this time it was for him, and he barely noticed the spastic shocks of lightning in the clouds above them, perfectly in sync with her gasps of delight. "More?" "Please!" Sakura was floating in her ecstasy, how wonderfully right it felt. She’d never known such pleasure. Even in the throes of passion, she could feel her unwanted energy draining off, and almost screamed in satisfaction. "Stop?" "No!" She was almost crying in her whirlpool of emotions, but she wasn’t ready to stop just yet. There was still more pleasure to come, still something else to realize. Another cool breeze blew around the two lovers, completely unnoticed. Sakura could feel something building inside her, some inexpressible emotion. A power waiting to be released… She arched her back and reached behind her head to run her fingers through his hair, then traced her hands down his neck and back onto her own shoulders, luxuriating in the way their two bodies felt almost the same. She could smell herself on him, and he on her. They had become one. "Please don’t stop," she begged. "Please keep going…I’m so close, Syaoran!" For just the briefest of moments, he wondered if he should hold back; the rational side of his mind warned him that this could be dangerous. But that thought was lost in a flood of excitement, and Sakura went rigid in his arms. "Ohh…" she moaned, and then again, louder. There was a terrific crash of thunder overhead. He slowed, and her slim body convulsed in a shudder. And then the heavens opened up, and it began to rain. ***** Tory heard the metallic plonking on the roof, and wondered if rebels were attacking by throwing pebbles. He was slumped over on the floor now, panting, and he opened his eyes to see streaks of moisture on the small round window. Rain? Out here in the badlands? It was too much of an effort to look and he closed his eyes again, rolling over onto his back and lying still. Dimly he was aware that Blade was relaxing in his console chair again, ignoring him, as he received some kind of communication from the castle. He could hear voices conversing, but the pounding in his ears precluded him from any kind of comprehension. It’s her, he realized. Somehow, he knew that the rain was her doing. Somehow, at the height of his despair, Sakura had found a way to remind him of her presence, and his promise to himself. He would not die on her. He would not give up so easily. It was his mission to protect her, and he would do it or die trying. The army is my home…ha. Even with your brainwashing, Blade, you can’t erase her from my thoughts. I’ve won again. I am still intact, you did not break me. I will never let you break me. That was the last thought he had before his exhaustion consumed him completely, and darkness fell on his world. ***** Nietzsche terminated his communication with the Reptil and smirked to himself. Her power was too great, too much to hide. Even when that boy found her again and cloaked her with his shield, she would not be denied. And how amusing…their powers combined pushed her to even greater heights, forced the very weather to do her bidding. All the protective shields in the world could not hide that from my sight! He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Blade was expecting him and a transport could take him to the badlands at dawn. He was rather clear as to her location, he knew the storm had not been far from her home. But how difficult would she be to catch? "Your power versus my cunning," he cackled. "What a delightful challenge. So intriguing. I can hardly wait to meet you, little flower…my precious Sakura." ***** Sakura could hardly believe her eyes. It had to be a dream, but sure enough, she was wet. The rain fell in a light mist, frosting her hair and eyelashes with a thousand tiny droplets that each caught the light of the blue glo-rod. Li looked utterly astonished as he stepped away from her, holding out his arms with his palms turned up. It had been so long. He hadn’t felt the touch of rain for over a cycle, not since he was in his homeland in the east. He was sure he would never feel it again. What she had done was nothing less than a miracle to him. He could not keep the grin off his face as he turned back towards her. Sakura turned and laced up her shirt as she watched him smile, still confused. "I don’t understand. How can it be raining? It’s not even the season for dry storms, and it never rains out here." "I know. Isn’t it wonderful?" Li tilted his face back and let the rain wash his face clean of sweat and dirt. "Gods, Sakura, you are amazing!" "What?" He returned his gaze to her and they made eye contact in the surreal light, a hazy mist of sparkling droplets wafting between them. "What did you say?" "I said," Li enunciating carefully, "gods, Sakura, you…are…amazing!" With a feeling of awe he traced a tendril of damp hair away from her face and cupped her cheek in one hand. "Haven’t you figured it out yet? Don’t you recognize it within you?" "What?" Sakura’s green eyes looked bewildered, and Li didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "This, Sakura! You did this!" Now he was stroking his fingers through her hair on both sides of her face, holding her steady, making sure he had her complete attention. "It’s you, Sakura. You have magic." Chapter8