Yea!! Look who's back-à
me!! I didn't die a very painful death (although it may seem like it) and am now back with the sequel to Disaster Brings Us Together!!! If you're joining us anew, I'd recommend reading the first 'cause it would probably make more sense, but I will do a small summary just after my little author's note.
A few issues to deal with before we get one with this story… It should be just a huge as the previous one and hopefully better with longer chapters and better dedication on the author's part (I'm trying to be more professional!!) In addition to that…
Enough blabbering, on with the fic. Skip the summary if you want to, it's just to refresh your memories!!!
After returning to Japan after more than a year's absence, Syaoran finds Sakura in a rough state on a park bench in the snow. Bringing her home (although it's against his task), he discovers the horrifying truth, that she was rape. As the story progressed, Syaoran's cousin Ping shows up on a mission, like Syaoran from the elders, and Sakura goes berserk. She confesses to Tomoyo that Ping is the culprit and tried to tell Syaoran. He doesn't believe her for the longest time until Tomoyo's video reviles to the truth.
Deception runs deeper, however, when Syaoran realizes just what his task was. (He was called back to Hong Kong and put through intensive training and returned to Japan to prove his loyalties were to the clan and not to Sakura). Everyone feels horrible, but they have to stop Ping. The evil man confronts Sakura one night, demanding the cards and Syaoran's return to Hong Kong in return for her safety. She refuses this, as well as another offer to turn back time, and makes Syaoran very pissy.
He thinks real hard and decides the only way to make things better is to return to Hong Kong, with Sakura, and put her up against the elders. (Neither Sakura nor Syaoran have truly admitted their feelings yet, although they were together before but broke up when Syaoran had to leave). Back home, Syaoran is punished and Sakura's task is decided on. On the morning of the trial, Syaoran hands over a pair of his ceremonial robes for her to fight in, not realizing what a horrible mistake he is making.
Sakura defeats her challenge from the elders, a deceptive Kero look alike, only to realize that now, because she is wearing Syaoran's robes, she must fight Ping in Syaoran's place. The fight goes horribly for the already injured Card Mistress, but Syaoran rushes to the rescue just as Ping is about to deliver the death-blow.
The match is forfeited on Syaoran's part and the elders make Ping the new future leader and bid him ask Syaoran for a proof of his loyalty. Naturally, he asks for the Card Mistress and Syaoran refused. He is disowned and the two leave Hong Kong with substantial emotion and physical wounds.
Weeks latter, Sakura is out of the hospital and is asked to meet Syaoran at the park. He reviles that he is leaving her, again, for training with Eriol in England but refuses to let her come. But before he goes, he presents her with a beautiful golden promise ring…
And now, one year latter, the Sequel to Disaster Brings Us Together,
Chapter one
Of
Trials Will Tear us Apart….
It was a beautiful evening, tepid for December with clear skies. A youth sat cross-legged before a pool, lost in mediation. His image reflected in the glass-like water, reveling a handsome face shadowed by longish hair, every messy and colored like chocolate, coming lose from it's bindings. A breeze blew around him, rustling the surrounding trees but having no effect on the water; it was a magic pool, used for communication and divination.
"Li-sama!"
His eyes snapped open, relieving shinning black orbs. The young servant girl approached him cautiously, dropping to her knees before him and bowing her head. He glared at her coldly, sending a visible shudder up her spin.
"I'm sorry for disturbing you, Li-sama, but the elders request your presence." She couldn't have been more than twelve years old and was quite a pretty thing with long ebony hair falling across her fair face and rust colored eyes. In those eyes he could see fear and delighted in it; even the youngest of servants knew his actions against the Card Mistress and were terrified.
Again, Ping cast his eyes over the girl lazily. "You should be," he replied in response to her apology, turning again to gaze into the pool. With a small arrogant gesture, he dismissed her. If she was worth employing, she'd inform the elders he was coming and do so without waiting for a reply.
The girl got silently to her feet, retreating into the lush garden. The young leader of the Li-clan listened and turned back to the pool once her footsteps disappeared into silence.
A frown crossed the handsome young man's face as he starred past the water intently, trying to see past the water and into the secrets it held; something was afoot and it made him uneasy. Recently, an implacable aura had been dancing around the edge of his senses. What he felt wasn't really an aura, merely a very powerful presence. True, it was dark, but powerful just the same and Ping wanted nothing more than power.
Everything but the pond began to feather out. Ping swelled with silent excitement, he was finally getting somewhere. The liquid shifted and swirled in a blur, of color, forming the shape of….
Plop! With a loud splash the image disappeared as ripples fanned out across the surface. Burning with anger, he clenched his fist and looked up to send the person who dared disturbed him to the farthest reaches of hell. What kind of insolent, pig-headed person would dare disrupt something so important?!
Ping actually smiled, his anger flowing to smug amusement. Amber eyes starred back, narrowed in defiance. Everything about Meiling's posture suggested mutiny from her rigid posture to the arms crossed across her chest.
He allowed his eyes to scan her form before dropping to the still turbulent pool. "The pebble slipped from your hand, I assume?"
"Yeah," she replied, shooting him a death-glare. "I had a bad grip on it and didn't get the distance I wanted. Too bad, I thought it was going to hit you square between the eyes. Maybe I should try again?" In her left hand she held a second rock, tossing it up and down suggestively.
The boy pretended her antics were amusing, but beneath it all he was seething. He craved power, total and complete obedience. He received this respect from the rest of the clan, save this girl and the mother of his exiled cousin. Both women remained fiercely loyal to Syaoran, despite the penalties. Ping found this dedication annoying and looked forward to the day he could beat it out of them, at least of his cousin. Yelan was still an elder and that position merited respect. Meiling 's time would be coming soon, for as he stole the innocence of the great Syaoran's cherry blossom, he also took the hand of his former fiancée for himself.
Ping got to his feet, skirting the outside of the pool until he stood face to face with the fiery-eyed girl. The disgust that lighted her eyes was so great she looked like she might throw-up. He merely smirked and grabbed her chin, holding it with a bruising force.
"I really hope you keep fighting me," he commented emotionlessly, "it will make my victory all the sweeter when we are married."
Meiling tried to wrench her face away, but he held firm. "You know I'd die before marrying you, bastard."
"Really? We're engaged already, isn't that halfway there?"
Eyes blazing, her fists flew on their own accord and plummeted the young leader in the stomach. The attack caused Ping to double over slightly, wheezing for breath, but he recovered quickly. His first jab missed its target, but the second attempt hit home in the soft flesh of Meiling's shoulder.
The ensuring fight was fast and vicious, ending only after Ping stumbled backwards into the pool, landing with and enormous splash. His adversary stood at the edge, glaring as she nursed a split lip and held her other hand to her throbbing shoulder.
"Fighting you is nothing compared to fighting Him," she sneered.
Ping smirked up at her, still sprawled up to his stomach in the water. "Won't you at least say his name and give him the honor of your praise?" She opened her mouth, about to reply, but he cut her off in a syrupy tone. "Oh wait, by saying his name you would be disowned as well."
Her face looked into a look or extreme hate and she gritted her teeth. "It would be worth it just to prove that you don't control every aspect of everyone's life."
"Except for your promise to Him. Didn't you swear you'd stay to watch over Yelan and her daughters?"
How could he know… But it was true. She had promised Syaoran she'd keep his family safe on the evening of Sakura's trial and near-death encounter with Ping. The event was still clear in her memory, although it had occurred almost a year ago.
Syaoran had just deposited Sakura's unconscious form into Touya's arms and turned away. "Wait for me outside, I'll be with you shortly. I have some things to pack."
Meiling hadn't been waiting with the others, she had managed to sneak from the side chamber before any of member of her family could detain her. After all, now that Syaoran was disowned, talking or even being seen with him would mean serious trouble. Still, she stole from her hiding place and followed him, at a distance, down the hall.
She walked into his room without knocking and closed the door quietly behind. Syaoran was sitting on his bed in a despairing position; his hands covered his face and his posture was slouched, making him look so different from the proud man the rest of the world saw. This was the Syaoran only she knew.
He didn't look up when she entered, but knew it was her. "You shouldn't be here, Meiling. I don't want you hurt too."
Sighing, she took a seat beside him on the bed. It was obvious where his thoughts were, with the unconscious Japanese girl waiting outside in her brother's arms. "You did everything you could for Sakura-chan. Besides, I had to say good-bye and you know I can take care of myself."
The pair sat in silence. Finally Syaoran moved, pulling his hands from his head to wring them in his lap. "I'm such a damn idiot," he muttered. "If only I'd thought it through before giving her those robes."
Meiling looked away, feeling bitterness overflow her system. Sakura was a good friend and she loved her like a sister; the girl was courageous, strong, forgiving, always cheerful, and so much more. Her heart broke, like the rest of her friends and family, at the sight of such a beautiful person in turmoil and pain. But she still felt jealous. She'd risked a sizeable punishment just to say good-bye, and all he could think about was his precious Sakura.
If he noticed her change in attitude, Syaoran didn't mention it. Instead, he kept talking. "Sakura wouldn't have been forced to fight Ping if she hadn't been wearing those robes. I would have fought him instead, and that bastard would be as good as dead by now. Instead, because of my foolishness, Sakura's hurt and my family's in danger."
Her head jerked up to meet his eyes. He was looking back at her, eyes brimming with concern he rarely showed. "He's the clan leader now, Meiling," he whispered. "Because I didn't fight and defeat him you and mother and my sisters are stuck with him for life."
"Don't worry, Syaoran," she replied, trying to make her voice sound consoling. "We'll be fine."
He shook his head, the stress and worry of today showing on his face. "I'd like to think that, but I need to be sure. You, I know you can stand against him Meiling. You've beat him into the dirt countless times before. But mother and the others… I won't be able to protect them."
Bowing his head, he was emerged in silence thought again. A thought came to mind and he jerked his body up, starring directly at her again. "Meiling, I need a favor."
She had some idea what was coming next, nodded at him to continue.
"I need you to watch over my family while I'm gone. I…" his voice lowered to a whisper and she had to lean in to hear it. "I will over throw Ping, but I can't do it just yet. It will take time… and training. Until then will you keep my family safe, Meiling?"
"I swear to, Syaoran. Nothing will happen to them while you're gone, that's a promise."
Syaoran smiled at her, one of the genuine smiles usually reserved for Sakura, and Meiling felt her heart melt. That was why she loved him...
"Bastard," Meiling hissed at him, face flushing with anger. She couldn't stand to look at him any longer and decided to leave. Turning, a hand still clutched to her bloody lip, she left without a second word to the hated leader of her clan.
The Kinomoto family, plus Tomoyo, were sitting down for Christmas dinner. It was a beautiful winter evening with the first snow pilling up outside and cheerful laughter and Christmas music echoing inside. Everyone was wary, despite the cheerful attitude, because it was around this period of the year that a person dear to all their hearts had been horribly wronged.
Sakura skipped into the room, a cheerful smile radiating from her face. She wore a mild Tomoyo creation, her black skirt decked out with bells and the red shirt trimmed with garland and blinking lights. It was amazing that this child could still be happy, after everything that had happened to her. But it was a true attribute to her character.
"Oh, you're wearing that outfit I made you! You look so beautiful!" Tomoyo exclaimed, whipping out her video camera and taping a full minute of her friend's outfit.
She blushed slightly at her friend's avid attention. "I love the bells on it, they make such a pretty sound! But I think you're getting more practical."
The designer considered carefully. "I guess it comes with age…" The topic changed abruptly as Tomoyo took her by the arm and led her into the living room. "So, expecting any out of town visitors?"
Sakura sighed heavily. "No." Absently, she twisted her promise ring around her finger. "He hasn't even called, and he promised…"
"The night's still young, Sakura," she replied, patting her hand comfortingly.
Soon dinner was done and the four people gathered around the dinning room table.
Sakura was putting the potatoes on the table when she heard the phone ring. "I'll get it!" she yelled and made a dash for the object.
"Hello?"
"Merry Christmas, Sakura," a familiar, masculine voice said.
She grinned and her happiness seeped into her tone. "Syaoran! Merry Christmas! I'm so glad you called, I thought you might have forgotten…"
He chuckled. "Forget my cherry blossom on Christmas? Never."
"I've missed you so much," she sat on the kitchen counter and stuck her tongue out at the glaring Touya. "How are you? Is your training going well? How's Eriol-kun? You haven't killed each other yet, have you?"
"I'm fine," Syaoran's voice held a hint of laughter. "Training is as it always is.
Hiiragizawa as smug as every but not injured in anyway, by me or anyone else. And," he added, "I have a present for you."
Sakura giggled. "A little late, ne Syaoran? You do realize it takes more than a few minutes to send something from England to Japan. Unless you were planning on making it appear before my eyes."
"I considered it," his tone was definitely smug now. "Why don't you check outside to see if it worked."
Sakura was oblivious to the looks she was receiving from Tomoyo and her family as she walked towards the door, wireless phone in hand. "What's this about, Syaoran?" She demanded, slipping on her snow-boots.
"Just check to see if anything's outside," he answered patiently.
She obeyed, stepping into the frigid air. The wind bit through her thin clothes and a shiver ran through her body. The young Card Mistress was about to question the intentions of the man on the other line again when she heard a crunching sound. Sakura knew she was not alone and glanced up. A handsome figure was standing before her, snowflakes gathering in his wind-blown hair.
"Eriol?!" (AN: Ohhh, you thought!! Sorry, I'll contain myself…)
The reincarnation smiled at her, presenting the girl with a friendly embrace. "Sakura! It's so nice to see you after such a long time. My, you've grown," he measured the top of her head with a hand to emphasize a point. A slightly dark look crossed his face and he muttered, "magically too." But the look was soon gone and he was smiling again.
For her part, Sakura was hopelessly confused. "Syaoran, Eriol's here," she said into the phone.
"I know," he answered. "He's bringing your present, isn't he?!" The phone projected Syaoran sharp tone into the night, causing Eriol to smirk. He leaned over Sakura's shoulder so he could talk into the speaker.
"All in good time, dear descendant. After all, patience is a virtue!!"
The other end of the phone was silent as Syaoran fumed. She could picture it in her mind and Sakura giggled. "It's okay, Eriol. Let's go inside and get warmed up, ne?"
It had been years since she'd last seen Eriol, but she still felt slightly disappointed at his appearance. He looked very much the same: round glasses, pale face, and lovely darks eyes. His face and body structure were the only things to have changed, now lithe instead of indistinct like a child's. Sakura tried to smile for him as they walked towards the front door, but she was upset. Eriol and Syaoran had been training together and if Eriol could find the time to come visit, why couldn't Syaoran?
So caught up in her own thoughts was she that Sakura failed to notice the customary smirk lining Eriol's lips. "Such a patient person, Sakura-chan. My descendant certainly could learn a lot from you.
"Sakura!" Syaoran's voice cut into her stupor and she turned her attention back to the telephone. "Don't let him get away with that! Make him give your present now!"
She shook her head although he couldn't see the gesture, wondering at his attitude. "It can wait a bit, Syaoran. Eriol-kun just got here and it's snowing! Let him warm up a bit first, he's probably freezing."
"I know it's damn cold. Hiiragizawa, get on with things!"
Eriol was about to reply when the front door opened, omitting Tomoyo and the rest of Sakura's family. The clamor drowned out Syaoran completely as the English boy received a warm welcome and was forced to pose for Tomoyo's camera.
Finally pulling away, he turned back to Sakura with a closed-eyed smile. "Syaoran's very impatient, but I don't blame him. It's time for your present, I think."
Sakura waited patiently as he rummaged in the pockets of the coat. Eriol finally stopped, extracting, much to her confusion, a knit scarf. "Close your eyes, Sakura, while I do a magic trick," he instructed, tying the article firmly around her eyes. She felt her world spinning and realized that Eriol was spinning her around in small circles. Finally, the spinning stopped and a steady pairs of hands held her in place.
"Abra Kadabra." The scarf fell away and Sakura blinked, feeling quite wobbly on her feet. She was so disoriented that she couldn't distinguish anything. Things began to fall slowlyinto place, the white of the snow, dark brown of the leafless branches above, and a fleck of amber right in front of her. Wait, what?
Her heart flipped and she starred ahead in shock, positive she was imagining this. There, standing just feet in front of her was… But it was impossible, wasn't he in… He certainly looked real, and if she took a step forward she'd be able to…
Syaoran flipped the cover of his cell-phone closed and stuck the device back in his pocket, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth and covering his annoyed scowl. "Merry Christmas."
Those words snapped her into reality and a squeal of joy left her throat. "Syaoran!" She ran towards him, jumping into his open arms. Her momentum run knocked him off balance, but he just laughed and allowed gravity to pull them back into the snow.
Sakura clutched him to her chest, oblivious to the fact that she was sprawled on top of him in the cold snow. Words wouldn't come to her lips but laughter would and it erupted from her in giddy spurts between the kisses she planted all over his face. Syaoran laughed along with her for no reason, snowflakes floating around them as his hands clutched her soft sweater and even softer hair. It'd been so long since he'd seen her, just being this close to her again was intoxicating…
The others had gathered on the porch, watching the lovers' reunion with mixed emotion. Tomoyo was smiling pensively, camera lens focused on her best friend as she tumbled in the snow. Touya, on the other hand, looked angry enough to strangle Li. Apparently he didn't think their… display was appropriate and took a step forward to put an end to it. Fujitaka restrained his son with a firm hand on his shoulder. A sad smile appeared on his face as he watched his daughter bubbling with joy. Yes, Li was the only person who could make his dear Sakura this happy, and he wanted his daughter to be happy, especially after everything that had happened to her. But she was slipping further and further from his hold, and into the arms of the young man before them.
Touya had taken all he could of this situation and cleared his throat loudly, eyes burning in the Chinese youth's direction. The noise came out as more of a growl, breaking both teenagers from what they were previous emerged in. Syaoran rolled to his feet, a flush painting his cheeks and his hair caked with snow as he helped Sakura to her feet. An identical blush was on her face, making her look all the more delicate as she clasped his hand and snuggled into his side lovingly.
"Kinomoto-san," he stuttered, attempting to bow to Fujitaka and keep Sakura as close as possible. His flush increased as he noticed how many people were watching. "Thank-you, for your help."
He smiled back at the boy, giving a small bow as well. "It was my pleasure, Li. Why doesn't everyone come back inside? Dinner is getting cold."
******************
After a satisfying dinner and complements to the chef, the content party retreated to the living room. It being Christmas Eve, the room was decked out in the festivities of the season. Garland and lights trailed near the ceiling and the fireplace was roaring with flames. And, in the corner, stood the grandest of all decorations, a large evergreen overflowing with delicate ornaments sparkling in the light
The tinsel and presents were all fine, but the personification of the Christmas season was the young couple sitting before the fireplace. Tomoyo believed this season to be a time of rebirth, miracles, and happiness. Looking at the blissful expression on her friend's face as she lay in Syaoran's strong embrace was enough to reinstall her faith in humanity.
The youth glanced away from the spaced out girl leaning against him and met her gaze. Syaoran followed her stare, looking down on the angelic picture Sakura made, and looked back up. He nodded to her, the slightest hint of a smile stealing onto his face, before tuning his attention back to the card mistress and pressing his lips gently to the top of her head.
You have her heart completely, that doesn't surprise me. But the fact that she's able to love after all that's happened… Tomoyo sighed at the image and banished if from her mind. Such things shouldn't be thought about in Christmas Eve.
But you left her, so soon after the trial. I never thought I'd see you cause her so much pain with such a stupid action. My poor little Sakura cried for weeks on end, cried until her eyes were blood-shot and swollen, then wore sunglasses to hide her suffering. I don't think you understand what you do to her. I don't think either of you understand the effect you have on each other. But mark me, Li Syaoran, if you hurt my Sakura again… What your cousin did was horrible, despicable lower than low, but you could do so much worse to her. Lets hope it never comes to that…
"They make quite a picture, don't they?" Eriol was standing beside her, leaning idly on the arm of her over-stuffed chair. He looked quite perplexed and, from his expression, one would have thought he was attempting quantum physics instead of commenting on his friends' relationship. Then again, that's how Eriol was.
Tomoyo tore her gaze away from the couple and met his eyes. "She was devastated without him here, " she commented. "Not that she would let anyone know…"
"That certainly sounds like Sakura," he commented, taking a sip from his steaming cup.
"Not that I'm not glad your back, Eriol," she started slowly, "but why now? Li was so set on his training that is seems unlikely he'd want to take even a small break to fly halfway around the world, even though he loves Sakura more than anyone else on this planet."
He chuckled at her insight. "Yes, our timing does seem pretty good, doesn't it? Your right about Syaoran, he was very serious about training. But now that it's over he insisted on coming straight back here."
"And he's training so he could challenge Ping and take back his clan, I assume? Was this whole Christmas present thing Li-kun's idea, or did you did you decide for him?"
"Yes, and no," Eriol answered. "Yes Syaoran was training, in part, to defeat this Li Ping but not for the title. He's been very worried about his family. And the little prank was his idea, I just gave him a little shove in the right direction."
She shook her head. "You still haven't answered my question, or maybe I'm not being blunt enough. Why are you here and, more importantly, is there something happening that I need to know about?"
"Tomoyo, I'm torn that you decided to ask that. Half of me thinks it's good thing know while the other half…" With a sigh, he drew a chair over and sat beside her, his tone hushed. "I can trust you with this, I know, but I want you to realize just how privileged this information is. Syaoran doesn't know and I don't think Sakura has realized it yet."
"So it has to do with Sakura?"
Eriol nodded. "Her magical powers have grown while we've been away. Normally that wouldn't be a problem, but the amount it's increased is incredible. And it's slightly tainted."
Her eyes narrowed, that didn't sound good. "Tainted?"
"Yes, tainted. Sakura is the vessel for her power, it flows and resides inside her until she calls it to use. There were many things that made her powerful before the incident, one of those being her purity of heart and body. But after… Simply put, tainting the container taints the contents and if we're not careful…"
"If we're not careful what!"
He shook his head. "I'm sorry, I can't tell you exactly what might because I'm not certain myself. But I can tell you this, pregnancy is not the worse thing facing someone with her powers in this type of situation. Syaoran's training is over and the next phase has begun. He doesn't know what our true purpose here is, he thinks its to confront Li Ping. It is not. Sakura is in danger, not from Li or any other human, and being near will help us insure she is safe.
Tomoyo's eyes were wide with fear. Any Christmas spirit that had resigned in her was gone now, replaced by nearly overwhelming terror. They'd thought their problems with Ping were over. Burying those horrible memories far out of reached had seemed the best thing to do at the time, but now they were resurfacing. She squeezed her eyes shut, the prospect of something more hurting her friend was too much. "What are you going to do?"
"I'm sorry, but at this point I cannot disclose that," his eyes were apologizing but his resolve was set.
"Please Eriol, I can help."
"Tomoyo…"
"Tell me, Eriol!"
Her voice was on the rise, but before it could reach a yelling pitch, he clamped a hand roughly over her mouth. Sitting her back in her seat (she'd all but jumped at the boy beside her in her panic to get more information) he brushed a lose strand of hair from her face and looked her in the eye. "Now is neither the time nor place for this, Tomoyo. Please settle down, we don't want to worry anyone."
The Japanese girl was shaking as he removed his hand from her lips. She stole a glance at Sakura, now laughing merrily and point a finger at Touya. Her friend was happy, for once in what seemed like forever, and the last thing she wanted was for something to come and steal that from her so quickly. He better know what to do, damn Eriol better have a plan.
If not… Tomoyo didn't have magic but that didn't mean she couldn't be just as useful as any of the other young adults in the room. Magic couldn't solve everything, it hadn't eased the pain of last years occurrences, only prolonged them. Speaking of..
"Where were you when all of this was happening last year?" She snapped at him suddenly.
He inclined his head slightly. "Doing damage control, like I explained to you earlier."
What
? He hadn't explained a thing in relation too… But she didn't have a chance to question him further. Eriol rose from his seat with an exaggerated yawn, glancing at the clock on the mantle."Look how late it's getting, and after a long day's travel too! Thank-you very much, Fujitaka-san, for your hospitality on such short notice."
Fujitaka rose, as did Sakura and Syaoran. Eriol and the man of the house exchanged respect and as he straighten, the card mistress was at his side.
"You're not going back to England, are you Eriol?" she wondered hopefully and he shook his head.
"No, in fact I was planning on staying in a hotel in…"
An idea came to Tomoyo and she rose to her feet. "Don't waste your money, Eriol. My mother would be delighted if you'd stay with us." And I can get the rest of my questions answered…
He fixed her with his customary smirk, silently stating that he knew her motive. "Of course, how could I refuse such a gracious offer?"
Oh yes, he was game.
Sakura lay in her room, heart still pounding from the day's events. She was afraid to go to sleep, fearing that she might discover this entire thing to be nothing more than a dream if she closed her eyes. That would break her heart. But it had to be real, she could still remember his smell and feel, how gently he'd held her and the kisses they'd shared. When bed time came it had been all too hard to tear herself away from him. Even now, only thirty minutes later, she missed him horrible.
Sighing, the card mistress shifted under her covers again. Even if she'd wanted to sleep she couldn't get comfortable. A year was a long time to not see someone, much less have a decent conversation with them. Sure, they'd talked on the phone and such, but Syaoran was the kind of person that you had to talk with face to face to realize his true emotions. They hadn't had any time to talk privately since he'd arrived this evening and that fact, above all else, was driving her insane.
She was desperately tempted to run to him right now. He was sleeping in Touya's room with her brother now taking up occupancy on the floor. (Near the door, so no one could get in or out without waking him). A brief squabble had broken out when it came to beds. Syaoran insisted he'd sleep on the couch but Sakura wouldn't have it, offering her bed instead. He refused to let her sleep on the couch and Touya wasn't about to let the Chinese brat within three yards of his sister. When the smoke had settled, Syaoran and Sakura both had beds and Touya had a way to keep the two apart with the utmost certainty.
The would have worked, under normal circumstances, Sakura considered, smirking evilly into the night. But he forgot to what measures I can use my cards!!
Triumphantly, she slipped the book off the dresser, changing a glance at the unmoving lump that was Touya. He was asleep, but she knew from past experiences that he slept very lightly. But with a little bit of help that wouldn't be a problem…
"Sleep card," she whispered, calling forth a glowing piece of paper. "Make sure Touya stays asleep until I'm back in bed."
The spirit burst from card, gliding across the room in a silver arch and descending in a mist around her brother. She waited a few minutes more, insuring the card had done it's job, before sliding out of bed and creeping towards the door.
For some reason, the sound of her plaid pajamas rubbing against her skin and her bare feet on the carpet made an unexplainably loud amount of noise. The same could be said for the door knob that led into Touya's room- since when did those hinges creak? But Sakura made it to her destination without detection and she stood in the center of the room, relishing her achievement.
Her attention was drawn elsewhere when she glanced at the bed, the scene before here eyes was so perfect it could have been staged. Light from the street poured in through Touya's window, illuminating the bed and it's single occupant. Syaoran's skin glowed like white gold against the dark covers, making him seem otherworldly, and his disheveled hair was softened to a gently mahogany. The shadows on his face, made his expression seem hard and chiseled. The overall effect was contradicting but fit her Syaoran perfectly.
Sakura felt a chill rush down her spin and realized she'd been outside of bed covers for too long. The winter chill could freeze you through and you wouldn't realize it until you woke up sneezing the next morning…
A slight blush crept on her face as she approached the bed. Nothing like this had happened thus far in their relationship, and she wondered how he would react. Was she being too forward by doing this so soon? Maybe she should have waited a few days… But she needed to be hear him badly and it was just Syaoran.
With that resolve she slipped quietly between the covers, her heart beating like mad. The blankets stirred and Syaoran's figure turned towards her, she couldn't see his face in the light, but could hear the question in his voice.
"Sakura?"
The Card Mistress inhaled sharply. "I missed you," she whispered back, snuggling against him experimentally. When he didn't protest, she snuggled closer into the curve of his body. At first she wasn't quite comfortable, but after a little wiggling her body fairly melted into his. Sakura rested her head I the crock of her neck, enjoying the feeling of his soft skin against her face. A pair of strong arms closed around her back and she sighed. "We did get anytime alone, so I…"
"I agree, I'm glad you're here. But your brother…"
She giggled. "Is sound asleep thanks to my sleep card!"
"Who knew you were so devious." He chucked, cupping her head in his hand and tilting it up so they were face to face. "You've been alright, right?" he wondered, running a finger gently along the length of each cheek. "There isn't anything you want to tell me?"
A slight frown passed over her face. "No, why do you ask?"
"I just wanted to make sure. You can talk to me about anything, even Ping."
She flinched at the mention of that name, keen on hiding her face in his pajama top. Even after a year it still scared her to think about that incident, not only because of what happened to her but because of what Syaoran had lost; his family, his title, everything he'd worked for his entire life. This was a touchy subject, since she wasn't quite sure where he stood on his issue.
He didn't let her drop her gaze and instead turned her face up, holding her closer and placing a gentle kiss on her cheek. "You need to talk about it, Sakura. I don't blame you for it, the only person who's at fault is…"
With a hand to his mouth, she silenced him. "Not tonight, Syaoran, please. For tonight, I just want to be here with you." Nothing else matters…leaning her mouth up, she placed a feather soft kiss on his cheek and a second on the other before brushing her mouth ever so lightly against his.
"Only because you ask," he whispered, accepting her kisses with closed eyes. Sakura didn't feel relief for she knew the topic was only place aside, not gone forever like she wished it, and all memory of Ping, would be.
Fighting against those thoughts, she closed her eyes and kissed him hard on the lips. It helped to ease her pain and frustration, and soon all evil thoughts were lost under the sweet pressure on her mouth. This kiss was, by far, the most passionate and intense they had shared in over a year. Sakura never wanted to break away, but the lack of air was causing her lungs to burn, and she had to pull out and gasp a breath of air.
Tears were gathering in her eyes and they spilled down her cheeks, splashing onto Syaoran's face. She gripped him to her, wrapping her legs around the back of his thighs to keep him in place. Continuing to kiss him, tears mingled with her soft caresses before Syaoran caught her hands and squeezed them gently.
"Sakura, why are you crying…"
"I missed you so much," more tears spilled, drawing from the deep well of sorrow she had kept bottled up while he was away. "I love you Syaoran, more than anything. Don't leave me again…"
A small sound of apology rumbled in his throat, vibrating through both their bodies. "that was very unfair of me, to leave you ere alone for that long. I'm sorry, Sakura. Very, very…"
"Don't be sorry," she whispered, nuzzling his cheek and running her hands gently through his hair, "just hold me."
"I love you, Sakura."
***************
Is this a dream? It must be, only my premonitions start like this. And standing before me is… What are you?
"I am you."
It was huge, and terrifying. Colored the deep kind of black that not even the brightest light could penetrate and reeking of evil. The memories it brought to mind wore horrifying and made her cringe.
"I am the shadow."
Yes, it certainly was. I move towards it, that damn black thing. I can sense horribly things from it and they play repeatedly in my mind; I can see them just beyond my vision. A massacre of innocent, all men dead and the women… I have been there and it's too painful to remember. What does it want? Why did it come here to me?
"Do you not recognize me?"
No, why would I? It talks and I can feel a dark wave washing over me. Is that magic? But that's impossible…What would I have to do with such a horrible and obviously evil thing such as this. But... it feels like me. Buried deep under it's tainted surface I can feel my own magic and someone else's… his. God, what was this?
"You created me, you brought me into this world.
I did no such thing! I couldn't, would not unleash such a thing on the human race. The things it planned to do were horrible, I could see straight through it's sole. It wants to kill, to slaughter, destroy everything in sight and cause pain until it alone was the supreme authority. This shadow, my shadow, would accept nothing less.
And it needs my help, I have no choice but to help…
-end chpt.1-
-TBC-
***Author's Note***
I don't know why this was so hard to write in character (lemme know if I'm totally off), probably 'cause I've been more into Inu Yasha then Card Captor Sakura. As I was writing this, I had to try so hard not to turn Eriol into Miroku (they don't even seem so similar) and I almost made Syaoran say 'Feh' (yea, I actually wrote it then erased it.) Oh the horrors of obsession. By the way, I have Inu Yasha and a few CCS scans uploaded, if anyone's interested in taking a look lemme know via e-mail
Again, I would like seven reviews for this chapter before I post the next (that's 75% of all the people who requested a sequel) and I'm looking for someone to beta for me!!! Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!!!