A/N: Wow, those last two entries were freakin' SAPPY! BARF!
So now I'm trying something a little different here… but don't worry, there's still a little bit of lovey-dovey goodness; after all, it's not a bad thing when it's taken in small doses. And of course, there's some KuroxFai goodness here, just because I couldn't resist. I mean… this is me we're talking about.
Anyhow, I hope you enjoy this one and, uh… don't talk to strangers. Bye!
Chapter 1
Laying the Groundwork
A tall, thin blond man strode into the shop, a fat white rabbit-thing perched joyfully on his shoulder. He flashed Naoko a cheerful smile as he approached the counter and the girl returned it, standing to greet her customer.
"Hello miss," he trilled, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the counter. "I understand you sell illusions?"
"Yes, that's right," Naoko nodded. "Are you interested in buying one today?"
"Maybe," he grinned. "What sort of illusions are they?"
"We have lots of different kinds. Some can create animals, or people and we even have a few that can create an alternate reality," the girl said excitedly, her glasses glinting in the sunlight that was coming through the display window. Ever since she was a small child, she had possessed a deep interest in all things mystic and supernatural.
At the mention of an alternate reality, the man's face took on a look of deep interest.
"Did you hear that Fai!" the rabbit-thing squealed. "Alternate realities! That would be perfect!"
"They're kind of expensive," Naoko admitted. "But they are very high quality and can last for up to six hours!"
The man called Fai straightened up a bit and brushed a lock of golden hair from his face.
"When you say 'alternate realities', what exactly do you mean?"
"It can be used on multiple people at once to make them imagine that they are in a completely different place. In this new world, you can go anywhere within its borders. You can talk to people, either your friends that you choose to bring with you or the fictional people that reside in the illusionary world. Basically, anything that you can do in the regular world, you can do in the fake world as well; eat, run, jump, pick things up, go swimming… whatever you want. The only difference is that nothing you get in the illusionary world can come back to the real world with you. Although that might seem like a disadvantage, it can be a good thing as well; should you sustain any injuries in the fake world, they will disappear once you get back to the real world. Hmm… anything else I forgot…? Oh, one more thing; occasionally, there will be minor glitches in the illusion and you might find yourself able to do things that you wouldn't normally be able to do…but most people see that as a good thing. Other than that, I think that's all there is to know."
Naoko had been carefully watching Fai's expression during her explanation and saw that he was hooked on the idea, becoming more intrigued with every feature she mentioned. He looked over at the white rodent on his shoulder, a wide grin spread across his fair-skinned face. "It sound's great, doesn't it Mokona?"
Mokona nodded enthusiastically. "It sure does!"
"Are there different illusions to choose from or are they all the same?" Fai asked.
"We have lots of different choices!" Naoko beamed. "Would you like to see them?"
"I'd like that very much," the blond replied.
Naoko spun on her heel, her short brown hair swishing out behind her, and skipped off to the back room to retrieve the box of illusions. As she disappeared, Mokona hopped off Fai's shoulder and onto the counter, where he practically danced in anticipation.
"This is a great idea you had, Fai!" he chattered. "I'm so excited!"
"Me too!" Fai laughed. "It's going to be so much fun!"
Naoko reappeared, holding a large cardboard box which she set down on the counter and pushed towards Fai so that he could look through his options.
"It's a good thing you came so early in the morning," the girl remarked as her customer began to examine the items in the box, "otherwise we'd probably be sold out. These things sell rather quickly this time of year."
"Yes…" Fai muttered distractedly, "I imagine they probably would…"
The illusions came in the form of smooth, shiny, multicolored capsules about the size and shape of an egg. Each one was labeled with a description of the world it produced. After looking through all of them, Fai finally chose a sleek, jet-black capsule from the very bottom of the box.
"I think this one would be the coolest," the wizard said, holding his chosen illusion out for Mokona to examine. "What do you think, Mokona?"
"Ooh, yes!" the white creature gushed.
"We'll take this one," Fai said, handing the capsule to Naoko. She took it from him, frowning, and turned it carefully between her fingers.
"That's odd," she muttered, "I've never seen this one before…"
Then the girl shrugged and began to ring up the sale. Fai handed her the flower-shaped card that contained their money so that she could scan it.
"How big are these things?" the wizard asked as the young clerk put his capsule in a brown paper bag and handed it to him. "I mean, do you have to take it to a wide-open space to use it?"
"Nope," Naoko said, smiling once more. "With these illusions, the whole thing happens in your head. You don't actually have to go anywhere."
"Hyuuu!" Fai pseudo-whistled. "These things really are perfect!"
The girl handed back the flower-shaped card and the wizard gave a slight bow. "Thank you very much, miss," he said, "and have a lovely day."
"You too!" Naoko called after him as he left the store.
As soon as Fai had gone, Naoko put a hand to her face and sighed dreamily; that cheerful blond had been positively delicious. It disappointed her that he had left so soon. She shivered in anticipation at the things they could have done together… like go into the dimly-lit back room, and made mad, steaming, passionate…hot chocolate (what were you thinking? She's only in fifth grade, for heaven's sake!). She sighed again at the thought and returned to work, stocking the display shelves. She loved her job.
Fai, Syaoran and Sakura were all sitting on the floor of the wizard's bedroom, the door securely shut and locked. Mokona stood guard outside, making sure no one walked in on the group as Fai filled the two younger travelers in on the plan.
"So," Fai said excitedly, clapping his hands, "do you understand what to do?"
"Yes," Syaoran said, looking somber as usual.
"I-I think so," Sakura nodded nervously.
"Good!" the wizard sang. "You two are the coolest; thanks for agreeing to celebrate your birthdays tomorrow so you could help me with this. We'll have the biggest party ever once we're done."
"No problem," Syaoran said. "We're glad to be able to help."
"But Fai san…" Sakura stammered. "Are—are you sure this is a good idea? I mean… are you sure he won't be angry with us?"
"No," Fai said, a huge smile spread across his lips. "I imagine he'll be quite furious…but you know how he is: all bark and no bite. Besides, you can blame the whole thing on me."
"But won't he yell at you?" Sakura asked timidly.
"Yep!" Fai giggled.
The princess smiled at the wizard's care-free attitude. "You really care about him, don't you? He's so lucky to have you as a friend… We all are."
"Aww, you're so sweet, Sakura chan!" Fai said. "I really don't deserve all this praise!"
"Of course you do, Fai san! You shouldn't discredit yourself!" Sakura insisted.
Syaoran watched his princess quietly, a smile lingering on his face. Even though she had lost her memory, she was still the same Sakura that he had fallen for all those years ago.
Kurogane sat on the floor of his room in the dark. It was unlike the ninja to sulk but he couldn't help it; not after seeing Princess Tomoyo's look-alike in the market place yesterday. When he saw her beautiful young face he became bitter, remembering the forceful manner in which she had sent him away. And for what? He had just been doing his job in the best way he could. If someone threatened his princess, of course they were going to die. And so what if he enjoyed doing it? Weren't you supposed to choose a career you loved?
Stupid Tomoyo hime. Someone should put her in a box and never let her out. Kurogane thought about that for a moment. Though it might be ok if they peeked in the box every so often…just to make sure everything was alright in there… and it might not be a bad idea if they kept the lid open for a little while, just to let in a bit of sunlight…maybe they could even let her sneak out real quick to let her stretch her legs sometimes and then put her right back in. Kurogane sighed and put his face in his hands. Like he would be able to do that. He might be the most brutal warrior in all of Japan but when it came to Tomoyo hime, he was a total pushover. Stupid Tomoyo hime…grumble grumble…
A/N: Hmm, what do you think? Too long? Too short? Too (God forbid) round and shiny? I can't tell. I know there are a few holes but I'm trying to do a sort of suspense thing so they'll be filled in as we go. This chapter wasn't all that amusing but, as the chapter's title suggests, I'm just laying the groundwork here. The next one will be funnier, I promise! So, until then, be good girls and boys and leave me a review. NOW!