Hidden Within
Sakura was done with another day at school. She and Madison were walking home as usual. Sakura tried to focus on what Madison was saying, but her mind was somewhere else. Make that someone else. She found hersself contantly thinking about Li. Ever since Clow Reed's supposed brother, Shaulin, had kidnapped her, Li and her have been very close.
Sakura remembered that it was that night that he had come to rescue her that he had confessed his love to her and she to him. Ever since then the two had been a couple. Sakura was happy, truely happy. She had liked Li for the longest time and now she was finally with him.
Madison's voice broke her train of thought. "Sakura are you there?"
Sakura shook her head and tried to focus once again. "What did you say?"
Madison laughed. "Man, you have fallen hard haven't you?"
Sakura frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You love Li so much you can't think anymore." Madison said as a matter of fact.
Sakura couldn't reply, only blush. Madison sighed. "Anyway, are you two going out this evening?"
Sakura smiled, "Yep, Li said he's taking me out for a surprise in lue of our one year anniversary."
Madison gasped. "Oh, my! I forgot! Happy anniversary!!" Madison said.
Sakura laughed. "It's okay. And thank you."
They arrived at Madison's house, Sakura said good bye and started towards her house.
"Hey! Sakura!" Madison yelled. Sakura turned around. "Have a nice time tonight!"
"I will!" Sakura replied and went home.
Sakura was in her room getting ready for the date when Tori knocked on the door. "Hey monster."
Sakura growled. "Stop calling me that!" She went back to brushing her hair. "What do you want anyway?"
Tori sat at the foot of her bed. "I just want you to be careful tonight and I want you to know if that Li kid tries anything, just tell me and I'll gladly beat him to a bloody pulp." Tori said clenching his fists.
Sakura sighed. "Li would never do anything to hurt me." She turned to face her brother. "But thank you."
Tori sighed. "Yeah, well, just another excuse to kick his butt anyway." He got up and started to leave. "Be careful, monster."
"It's Sakura!!" She yelled as she threw a pillow. He caught it and threw it back on the bed. "Okay, monster." Then he shut the door.
Kero flew from his hiding spot and landed in front of Sakura. "If you let me transform I'll get your brother for you." He suggested.
Sakura laughed. "No thanks. If I wanted to hurt him I could just use the Big Card."
Kero crossed his arms. "Still like to get one shot on him."
Sakura shook her head and smiled. "Thanks Kero. I gotta go." She got up, grabbed her purse and started out the door.
Li met Sakura at the door. Sakura smiled and gave him a hug. He returned it gladly and smiled. "You ready?"
Sakura smiled back. "Let's go."
Li held her hand and started down the street.
"Where are we going?" Sakura asked.
"It's a surprise." Li replied.
They kept walking and came upon a restaurant. It was new and it just opened. Li looked at Sakura and led her in. She was opened mouthed and too struck with awe to say anything.
When they got in Li said his last name to the waiter and they were led to a table in the back.
Li pulled out a chair and Sakura sat down. They ate dinner and Sakura finally got words to come out. "How did you do all this?" She asked.
Li smiled and shrugged. "Trade secret." He winked.
Sakura laughed. "Come on."
Li shook his head. "Nope. The night is still young."
After thier dinner, Li walked Sakura to the park. It was where they had first watched the sun set after their confrontation with Shaulin. Li sat down on the same park bench and Sakura sat next to him. He put his arm around her and she leaned into him, placing her head on his shoulder.
"This has been a beautiful evening. Thank you, Li." Sakura said.
"It's not as beautiful as you." Li replied. Courney, but Li meant every word of it. As far as he was concernered, Sakura was the most beautiful thing in the world.
After the sun set, Li procedded to walk Sakura home. On the way, Sakura started rubbing her arms like she was cold. Li noticed this and stopped "Are you cold?"
"No I just feel something. Something evil, but familiar." She said looking straight ahead as if in a trance.
Li didn't like where this was going. He closed his eyes and opened his senses and felt the same thing. "Shaulin."
Li opened his eyes and saw Sakura glowing white. Li looked aroung to see if anyone was around. There wasn't, so he turned his attention back to Sakura. She was glowing more brightly and had her eyes closed. Li noticed it was the same white, pinkinsh light that had come to her before, the first time they had fought Shaulin. But why was it back?
"Sakura?" Li asked.
Sakura opened her eyes and Li gasped. Her eyes were not the beaitiful green that he loved and recongnized so well. Now they were white. No iris, no pupil, nothing. Just white. Sakura then began to speak. But it wasn't her voice. It was more harmonious and angelic. "Beware." She said.
"Beware for what?" Li asked.
"He has returned, and is growing stronger." It said
"Who? Who has returned?" Li asked .
"You must prepare." It said. The glow subsided and Sakura collapsed. Li was by her side instantly and caught her in his arms. This was not good. He had to get her home and quick. That doll of hers would want to know about this.
Li had snuck inside the house through her window without waking anyone up. He placed Sakura on the bed. She was still unconcious. Li started looking around and found who he was looking for. Kero was on the desktop asleep. Li poked him. Nothing. He did it harder this time. Kero popped up with fright. But when he saw it was Li, he calmed down, but just a bit.
Kero looked past Li and saw the unconscious Sakura. He growled at Li. "What did you do to her?"
"I didn't do anything." Li proceeded to tell Kero about what happened on the way home.
To say the least, Kero was not happy. "What do you mean he's returned?!!" He said a little too loudly.
"Shhhh." Li said holding up a finger to his lips. But it was too late. Sakura began to stir.
Li and Kero were at her side that moment. Sakura open her eyes and was happy to see Li's eyes staring back.
"How do you feel?"
Sakura sat up and felt Li helping her up. He pulled her pillow behind her and she leaned back. "I feel fine. What happened?"
"You don't remember?" Li asked.
Sakura shook her head. "An....entity spoke to me through you. I think it was the same entity that helped us fight Shaulin the first time. It said that Shaulin was back and that we had to beware and get prepared." He explained.
Sakura's face paled. "Shaulin's back? What does he want? What if he comes back after me?" Sakura started shaking with fear. It had taken her most of this year to get over her fear. And now she had to face it all over again?
Li brought her into a warm hug. "I won't let him. I'll protect you. Don't worry" Sakura was still scared, but stopped shaking.
"What do we do to prepare?" She asked.
"I don't know." Li replied.
In answer to her question, Sakura started to glow again. "Kero!" Li said.
Kero was watching as Sakura's eyes went white again and she stared straight ahead.
"How do we prepare? What do we do?" Li asked the entity.
"Follow the sun for two cycles, then enter the Forbidden Forest. There you will find a tree that glows with an invisible light. Underneath you will find the ancient temple of the Clow. Ancestor of the Clow must get the power from within. Only together can they defeat the evil." Sakura stopped glowing and once again collasped.
Li caught her and placed her in bed. He looked at Kero. "Do you know what she's talking about?"
Kero thought for a minute before answering. "I've heard legends about an ancient temple that held a power source that enhances the magic powers of the one who touches it."
Li nodded. "Then that's what I have to do."
"Not without me you don't." A weak voice said from behind him. Li turned around to see Sakura up.
"You're not coming." He said.
"Oh, yes I am. If you run into any trouble, you're gonna need me there too."
Li shook his head. "You're too weak."
Sakura snorted. "Doesn't that sound familiar." Li laughed. Those had been her words a year ago. And Li had insisted as long as he had her, he had all the strength he needed.
"Alright." He knew it was pointless to argue. Sakura smiled.
"But let's wait until tomorrow? I want to get some sleep." Kero said.
Sakura laughed. "You go on to sleep Kero, don't worry."
Kero went back over to the desk and went fast asleep. Sakura tapped Li on the shoulder and indicated him to follow her. She went up to the roof and he followed. "I think we should leave tonight."
"What? Without Kero?" Li said.
"I know he won't like it, but I have this sense of urgency. I think it's the entity. She's telling me we don't have all that much time."
Li sighed. He knew Sakura well, and trusted her instincts. "Alright." He said. He didn't like the idea, but again he couldn't argue. Sakura smiled and kissed him on the cheek. She went inside and started getting ready.
After Sakura had packed her back pack with the things she' thought she'd need and writing a note to her brother and dad telling them not to worry, they set off to Li's house to get his robe, his weapons, and other things he'd need. By the time they got everything, it was morning. They started following the sun towards the East.
Little did they know that they were being watched. Shaulin was watching from his layer.
"Those brats think they can defy me?!" He yelled. "Oh, well. They'll never get to the temple before I come into my power." He said.
Shaulin had found out that he didn't need that Li brat to have a body. All he needed was enough power and he could make his own body as good as new. He had already began searching for the dark source that he had sensed back in the cave one year ago.
'Those two thought they had destroyed me, but I fooled them' Shaulin had made it seem like he had been defeated when in reality he was taking a rest so he could find the dark power and finally come into a body of hiw own.
This time though, he would not seek revenge in the world for Clow Reed's deception, no. He would go after the Li boy and the girl. That way he wouldn't have to worry about them once he took over the this world and the next!
Sakura was done with another day at school. She and Madison were walking home as usual. Sakura tried to focus on what Madison was saying, but her mind was somewhere else. Make that someone else. She found hersself contantly thinking about Li. Ever since Clow Reed's supposed brother, Shaulin, had kidnapped her, Li and her have been very close.
Sakura remembered that it was that night that he had come to rescue her that he had confessed his love to her and she to him. Ever since then the two had been a couple. Sakura was happy, truely happy. She had liked Li for the longest time and now she was finally with him.
Madison's voice broke her train of thought. "Sakura are you there?"
Sakura shook her head and tried to focus once again. "What did you say?"
Madison laughed. "Man, you have fallen hard haven't you?"
Sakura frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You love Li so much you can't think anymore." Madison said as a matter of fact.
Sakura couldn't reply, only blush. Madison sighed. "Anyway, are you two going out this evening?"
Sakura smiled, "Yep, Li said he's taking me out for a surprise in lue of our one year anniversary."
Madison gasped. "Oh, my! I forgot! Happy anniversary!!" Madison said.
Sakura laughed. "It's okay. And thank you."
They arrived at Madison's house, Sakura said good bye and started towards her house.
"Hey! Sakura!" Madison yelled. Sakura turned around. "Have a nice time tonight!"
"I will!" Sakura replied and went home.
Sakura was in her room getting ready for the date when Tori knocked on the door. "Hey monster."
Sakura growled. "Stop calling me that!" She went back to brushing her hair. "What do you want anyway?"
Tori sat at the foot of her bed. "I just want you to be careful tonight and I want you to know if that Li kid tries anything, just tell me and I'll gladly beat him to a bloody pulp." Tori said clenching his fists.
Sakura sighed. "Li would never do anything to hurt me." She turned to face her brother. "But thank you."
Tori sighed. "Yeah, well, just another excuse to kick his butt anyway." He got up and started to leave. "Be careful, monster."
"It's Sakura!!" She yelled as she threw a pillow. He caught it and threw it back on the bed. "Okay, monster." Then he shut the door.
Kero flew from his hiding spot and landed in front of Sakura. "If you let me transform I'll get your brother for you." He suggested.
Sakura laughed. "No thanks. If I wanted to hurt him I could just use the Big Card."
Kero crossed his arms. "Still like to get one shot on him."
Sakura shook her head and smiled. "Thanks Kero. I gotta go." She got up, grabbed her purse and started out the door.
Li met Sakura at the door. Sakura smiled and gave him a hug. He returned it gladly and smiled. "You ready?"
Sakura smiled back. "Let's go."
Li held her hand and started down the street.
"Where are we going?" Sakura asked.
"It's a surprise." Li replied.
They kept walking and came upon a restaurant. It was new and it just opened. Li looked at Sakura and led her in. She was opened mouthed and too struck with awe to say anything.
When they got in Li said his last name to the waiter and they were led to a table in the back.
Li pulled out a chair and Sakura sat down. They ate dinner and Sakura finally got words to come out. "How did you do all this?" She asked.
Li smiled and shrugged. "Trade secret." He winked.
Sakura laughed. "Come on."
Li shook his head. "Nope. The night is still young."
After thier dinner, Li walked Sakura to the park. It was where they had first watched the sun set after their confrontation with Shaulin. Li sat down on the same park bench and Sakura sat next to him. He put his arm around her and she leaned into him, placing her head on his shoulder.
"This has been a beautiful evening. Thank you, Li." Sakura said.
"It's not as beautiful as you." Li replied. Courney, but Li meant every word of it. As far as he was concernered, Sakura was the most beautiful thing in the world.
After the sun set, Li procedded to walk Sakura home. On the way, Sakura started rubbing her arms like she was cold. Li noticed this and stopped "Are you cold?"
"No I just feel something. Something evil, but familiar." She said looking straight ahead as if in a trance.
Li didn't like where this was going. He closed his eyes and opened his senses and felt the same thing. "Shaulin."
Li opened his eyes and saw Sakura glowing white. Li looked aroung to see if anyone was around. There wasn't, so he turned his attention back to Sakura. She was glowing more brightly and had her eyes closed. Li noticed it was the same white, pinkinsh light that had come to her before, the first time they had fought Shaulin. But why was it back?
"Sakura?" Li asked.
Sakura opened her eyes and Li gasped. Her eyes were not the beaitiful green that he loved and recongnized so well. Now they were white. No iris, no pupil, nothing. Just white. Sakura then began to speak. But it wasn't her voice. It was more harmonious and angelic. "Beware." She said.
"Beware for what?" Li asked.
"He has returned, and is growing stronger." It said
"Who? Who has returned?" Li asked .
"You must prepare." It said. The glow subsided and Sakura collapsed. Li was by her side instantly and caught her in his arms. This was not good. He had to get her home and quick. That doll of hers would want to know about this.
Li had snuck inside the house through her window without waking anyone up. He placed Sakura on the bed. She was still unconcious. Li started looking around and found who he was looking for. Kero was on the desktop asleep. Li poked him. Nothing. He did it harder this time. Kero popped up with fright. But when he saw it was Li, he calmed down, but just a bit.
Kero looked past Li and saw the unconscious Sakura. He growled at Li. "What did you do to her?"
"I didn't do anything." Li proceeded to tell Kero about what happened on the way home.
To say the least, Kero was not happy. "What do you mean he's returned?!!" He said a little too loudly.
"Shhhh." Li said holding up a finger to his lips. But it was too late. Sakura began to stir.
Li and Kero were at her side that moment. Sakura open her eyes and was happy to see Li's eyes staring back.
"How do you feel?"
Sakura sat up and felt Li helping her up. He pulled her pillow behind her and she leaned back. "I feel fine. What happened?"
"You don't remember?" Li asked.
Sakura shook her head. "An....entity spoke to me through you. I think it was the same entity that helped us fight Shaulin the first time. It said that Shaulin was back and that we had to beware and get prepared." He explained.
Sakura's face paled. "Shaulin's back? What does he want? What if he comes back after me?" Sakura started shaking with fear. It had taken her most of this year to get over her fear. And now she had to face it all over again?
Li brought her into a warm hug. "I won't let him. I'll protect you. Don't worry" Sakura was still scared, but stopped shaking.
"What do we do to prepare?" She asked.
"I don't know." Li replied.
In answer to her question, Sakura started to glow again. "Kero!" Li said.
Kero was watching as Sakura's eyes went white again and she stared straight ahead.
"How do we prepare? What do we do?" Li asked the entity.
"Follow the sun for two cycles, then enter the Forbidden Forest. There you will find a tree that glows with an invisible light. Underneath you will find the ancient temple of the Clow. Ancestor of the Clow must get the power from within. Only together can they defeat the evil." Sakura stopped glowing and once again collasped.
Li caught her and placed her in bed. He looked at Kero. "Do you know what she's talking about?"
Kero thought for a minute before answering. "I've heard legends about an ancient temple that held a power source that enhances the magic powers of the one who touches it."
Li nodded. "Then that's what I have to do."
"Not without me you don't." A weak voice said from behind him. Li turned around to see Sakura up.
"You're not coming." He said.
"Oh, yes I am. If you run into any trouble, you're gonna need me there too."
Li shook his head. "You're too weak."
Sakura snorted. "Doesn't that sound familiar." Li laughed. Those had been her words a year ago. And Li had insisted as long as he had her, he had all the strength he needed.
"Alright." He knew it was pointless to argue. Sakura smiled.
"But let's wait until tomorrow? I want to get some sleep." Kero said.
Sakura laughed. "You go on to sleep Kero, don't worry."
Kero went back over to the desk and went fast asleep. Sakura tapped Li on the shoulder and indicated him to follow her. She went up to the roof and he followed. "I think we should leave tonight."
"What? Without Kero?" Li said.
"I know he won't like it, but I have this sense of urgency. I think it's the entity. She's telling me we don't have all that much time."
Li sighed. He knew Sakura well, and trusted her instincts. "Alright." He said. He didn't like the idea, but again he couldn't argue. Sakura smiled and kissed him on the cheek. She went inside and started getting ready.
After Sakura had packed her back pack with the things she' thought she'd need and writing a note to her brother and dad telling them not to worry, they set off to Li's house to get his robe, his weapons, and other things he'd need. By the time they got everything, it was morning. They started following the sun towards the East.
Little did they know that they were being watched. Shaulin was watching from his layer.
"Those brats think they can defy me?!" He yelled. "Oh, well. They'll never get to the temple before I come into my power." He said.
Shaulin had found out that he didn't need that Li brat to have a body. All he needed was enough power and he could make his own body as good as new. He had already began searching for the dark source that he had sensed back in the cave one year ago.
'Those two thought they had destroyed me, but I fooled them' Shaulin had made it seem like he had been defeated when in reality he was taking a rest so he could find the dark power and finally come into a body of hiw own.
This time though, he would not seek revenge in the world for Clow Reed's deception, no. He would go after the Li boy and the girl. That way he wouldn't have to worry about them once he took over the this world and the next!