Box

Spike had gone to bed for the night. Sakura cleaned up where they had dinner in the living room area.

“Leave ‘em,” he told her. “They’ll get them in the morning.” But, Sakura shook her head.

“It doesn’t feel right,” she said.

“I don’t know why you bother,” Spike said.

“Because, I just do,” the tenshi-chi said. Her boyfriend shrugged to himself.

“Suit yourself,” he mumbled. “I will never understand you at times.” Sakura began cleaning up as Spike went off to bed. Above, a strange heat floated over head. It had its eyes locked on Sakura.

Is this her precious? The heat looked closer at her back. It is! It is! The heat darted towards her.

Sakura sat back on the couch and breathed out. She had come to love these little moments. The tenshi-chi enjoyed being by Spike’s side, but she also liked to be alone on occasion. She hadn’t come to understand why just yet. Maybe she would find the answer one day. Yet, one thought stayed persistent on her mind.

What’s wrong with me lately?, she thought. Sakura felt her heart twinge on and off over the past couple of days. She had them in beginning, but ever since Frankie came along, they had been getting worse. The tenshi-chi paused at that connection.

Are they because of her?, she thought. Sakura shook her head.

“Nah,” she said to herself. “That can’t be right.” She paused short as her eyes looked around the room.

“Who’s there?” she asked aloud. The chills tumbled down her spine. She reached for the nearest weapon that she could find.

“Stay back!” Sakura yelled. “I have a bread knife!” A low buzz filled the air. Her eyes tried to trail the sound. Suddenly, her body went stiff. Her soul felt like it was floating away. Then, her consciousness when numb.

The heat floated down in front of her face. It reached out and held her chin.

Are you her? The flame looked down into the blank amber eyes.

She must be! She must be!

“Who are you?”

The flame froze. She spoke! But how?

“Who are you?”

The flame turned pink as it stared on at the tenshi-chi. Who are you?

“I am Sakura.”

Sa-ku-ra?

“Yes. Who are you?”

I am me.

“But who is me?”

The pink flame had no choice now. She must not know who I am! The flame’s body swallowed her whole in one gulp. Sakura’s body sat there in a daze.

The tenshi-chi looked around. Swirls of orange floated past her. She had no ground to sit upon. The woman only knelt on the thinning air around her. A tingling burn ran in circles in her chest. A low hum vibrated in her ears. She rested her hands on her chest as she looked around above her.

What is this place?, she thought.

You are in my mind.

Sakura looked forward. “What?”

A cute little face of an elf came into inches of hers. Sakura blinked at her.

“Who are you?”

The elf grinned at her. I told you, I am me.

“But who is me and why am I here?”

The elf giggled at her. You are here because I have trapped you here.

Sakura gave her an odd look. “Huh? But why?”

I can’t let you out. You’ve seen too much about me. That’s why I must keep you here forever and ever.

“But why?”

On the outside, Spike wandered out of bed to the living room. He found Sakura still sitting on the couch. His tired face didn’t change.

“You still up?” he asked. The cowboy paused when she didn’t make a sound. He came over to her side. Had she fallen asleep already? Usually, he would just throw a blanket over her and go back to bed. Tonight, however…

Spike lowered his shoulders. Might as well check on her, he thought. The cowboy shook her on the shoulder.

“Oi!” he yelled. “Wake up! You asleep? Oi! Oi!” She didn’t respond.

Back inside, the elf stared at her.

Why what?

Sakura clenched her fists on her lap. “Why me? Why are you so interested in me?”

The elf demon looked close in her face. Because… She ran a boney finger down to her chest. You have something I need.

“Something you need?” The elf demon reached into Sakura’s chest and felt around. The tenshi-chi gasped aloud and a thin line of blood ran down her chin. The elf dug around deeper and faster. Her fingers touched warm, hard metal. Her smile revealed sharp and damaged green fangs.

Perfect! I found you! Sakura could feel her shin heart pulsing through her chest as the demon tried to yank it out roughly.

Come on! Come out already, my baby! Your mother’s calling! The elf-like demon pulled even harder. She had to dig her heels into the groundless air at her feet. She licked her lips as the hunger in her body shot up to her brain. Sakura reached up to try and stop her.

Finally, the demon let go, panting. She stared at the tenshi-chi still hungry for more.

Well now, I guess it isn’t time yet. She snickered to herself. I could force it out of you here and now, but really, where’s the fun in that?

She turned to walk away. As the demon held up her hand, she turned and took one more look at the tenshi-chi. My master will be so happy to know the results.

Sakura sat there blinking. “Master? What do you mean? Who is your master?” But, the demon had already vanished and the empty space around her opened up.

“Oi! Sakura! Wake up!” Spike yelled out her from the outside. The tenshi-chi quickly awoke and looked around.

“W-Where am I?” she asked. Spike took a small step back.

“The living room of the Bebop, why?” he asked. Sakura shook her head.

“Tired?” the cowboy asked. She only gave him a little shrug.

“Yeah, I guess…” she mumbled. Sakura pulled her up to her feet.

“Here,” he said. “Just go to bed already.” The tenshi-chi blinked as they walked down the hall. Okay…, she thought. That grim feeling didn’t want to leave her after the demon trapped her within that spaceless box.

I don’t like this at all…, Sakura thought as she bit her lower lip.

Watch Out, Angel