Disclaimer:

Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle characters' copyright held by the ever AWESOME CLAMP folks and the various character's other respective owners. I make no claims to their ownership. You know the routine...

It was a dark and stormy night...

Grass, wet with the fresh rain, was flexed into waves by the storm's winds. As the tempest raged on, a small spot of light began to twinkle near the center of the meadow. Quickly it grew larger with each passing second, until it could take no more. Popping as if a bubble, it revealed an unlikely group of travelers. Cursing under his breath, the largest of the group took stock of their surroundings quickly with a well-practiced eye. "We should move to cover quickly!" he yelled at the others, hoping his voice carried over the shrieking of the storm. Nodding in agreement was all the others could manage... it took almost all their concentration just to keep upright in the gale.

"Put your backs into it! This way!" he yelled. Within mere moments of arriving, they were all drenched to the bone and shivering against the cold wind. They all fell into step behind the tall one who had taken charge of the situation, hoping that his body would at least block some of the wind and make the going easier. He moved with purpose, his strength evident in his stride despite the conditions. The others were not faring as well, but managing to somehow keep up with him. He had spied a likely spot in the tree line as they arrived, and once rounding up his comrades, made a bee-line in that direction.

What would have taken no time at all on just about any other day, took them what felt like an eternity this night. The smallest of the group was really having a difficult time of it, and the others did what they could to help, but it slowed their progress. Turning to check on them, the tall one cursed again. He knew the longer they took to get to cover, the longer it would take to get them warmed back up and dry. Assuming that the cover he sought actually materialized, that is.

Once they gained the tree line, conditions improve somewhat. "Take cover here and let me scout around and see if I can find us somewhere to shelter for the night." the tall one said. "Alright, Kuro-Sir!" said Fai, as he tried to shelter Sakura from the elements with his cape. "Do you need my help?" asked Syaoran. "No- I think I got this." Kurogane sarcastically replied. "Stay here and keep'em safe." he added quietly.

Movement from within Syaoran's cloak drew his attention before he could head out. He rolled his eyes. "What now, Pork-Bun? I'm cold, wet, and NOT in the mood for any funny business..." Kurogane grumbled. Mokona peeked out from within her hiding spot. "Mokona will try and sense a feather!" she proudly announced. "Good idea, Captain Obvious..." Kurogane mumbled, barely audible to the others. He rolled his eyes, turned, and strode away through the underbrush, leaving the others to fend for themselves for the moment.

They huddled together, crouching close to the ground to reduce their exposure to the storm. Syaoran threw his large cape over them on the windward side to help try and keep them dry, although how much good it did was debatable. It did help to lessen the bite of the wind. "What beautiful weather greeted us upon our arrival!" Fai commented, with a twinkle in his eye. "I don't c-care." Sakura managed to squeak between chattering teeth. "I just want to get w-warm!"

Just as she said that, a fresh wave of shivers gripped her body. Fai tried to get as close as he could to her, and wrapped his cloak around the both of them. "No doubt Kuro-Crockett will find us shelter, and we will be as toasty as a bug-in-a-rug in no time!" Fai told her. "Just hang on a bit longer, he hasn't let us down yet, and I doubt he will start now." Sakura wanted to believe, but she was too cold to even think straight. A small whimper was all she could manage.

"I hope he hurries up- we are not prepared to deal with this!" Fai said to Syaoran. Syaoran nodded in agreement, scanning the area of the woods where Kurogane had disappeared, watching for his return. "At least we didn't end up in a lake this time!" Fai joked. "But I guess we are just about as wet as if we had."

Mokona looked around, hopping in a little circle to better direct her senses. "Feel anything yet?" Fai asked, hopeful for at least something positive to help keep them going. "Mokona is very sorry, Fai-san. But Mokona doesn't sense anything right now." The small, white creature said sadly. "That's ok, Mokona-chan. I'm sure we just need to explore a little before we come across another feather!" Syaoran nodded in agreement. "Hopefully by then this storm will have moved on. I hope Kurogane is successful in finding us shelter soon. Sakura doesn't look like she can take much more of this!"

With concern still etched on his face, Syaoran turned and resumed his watch over the woods. It is impossible to see anything coming in this storm! He had better hurry up. Who knows what danger could be lurking just out of sight, waiting for its moment to strike!

A cold feeling of dread began to creep up his spine, making his hairs stand on end. Something definitely was out there. He could feel its gaze drilling into them, watching their every move. "Keep sharp." He told the others. "I don't like the feel of this. Something's not quite right here." His hand moved instinctively to the hilt of his sword.

The slight movement was not lost on Fai, as he too began to feel Syaoran's unease. "Mokona…" Fai said, cautiously getting the attention of the small fuzzball while still maintaining his watch of the woods surrounding them. "Will you please come and sit with Sakura-chan and help keep her warm?" Mokona moved closer to Sakura's side, snuggling against her and trying her best to stay cheery. "Mokona will keep you all toasty-warm!" she proudly announced. "And try to stay quiet too, alright?" Fai asked, as he moved to rise from where he had knelt to keep Sakura warm and protected from the wind.