ATTENTION! PLEASE READ!
I want to tell my readers that I am formerly Black_wolf_chic 2 and this is MY ORIGINAL STORY. We lost the black wolf chics account here on ffnet and so now we have been reborn as Midnight Hunters so please do not try to report us thinking that we are stealing.
With that said – please enjoy my story and please take 2 seconds at the end to review xxx
Time & Again - The Queen of Darkness
" Even on the darkest of nights,
stars will shine and give thee hope."
Ages (So far)
Sakura 16
Madison 17
Li 20
Eriol 21
Alex de Winterton 21
Keno 19
Meridan 8
Lydian 6
It was a sunny day, the clouds high in the blue sky. The air was quiet except for the passing of the breeze. Nature went about its way ignoring the ruins of the forgotten temple, the bees buzzing as they collected the nectar of the small white flowers; the butterflies fluttering around looking for the right flower to sun themselves on. Ants hurried about and collected dirt to build up their homes as rain was on its way.
A couple of birds flew past, chirping happily. Everything seemed in perfect harmony, but yet something was . . . . off. . .
She'd felt it the moment she had pulled up in the four wheeled jeep a month ago. Since then, she couldn't trace the source of this disturbance. Was it in the air? No, it still smelled as sweet as it did every day. The earth perhaps? No, she had dug in the dirt with her own hands alone and with the others that had come with her and everything was healthy and rich with life. The animals were happy, there was no disturbance there, so what was it that she could sense and feel?
Hearing a shout, Sakura Kinomoto shielded her eyes from the sun's gaze squinting for in the distance a figure had climbed up a hill and was waving to her. She raised her own hand in greeting, before looking around her quickly again, and seeing nothing out of the ordinary, started walking towards the person who had called to her.
A young man ran down the short hill to greet her smiling happily. He was covered in sand and dirt but his blue eyes were alight with excitement. He caught the young girl into a hug and lifted her into the air ignoring her cry of surprise at the unexpected welcome.
" You'll never believe it! " Alexander de Winterton cried as he once again restored Sakura to her feet, clasping her shoulders in a tight squeeze. " We made such a priceless discovery! "
Sakura blinked and watched as Alex ran his hands through his messy hair.
" You actually found something? " she asked curiously, her emerald eyes alight.
" Awe you should have been there! " Alex smiled. " We're not sure what it is yet, but it's something big! "
" Who unveiled it? " Sakura asked as they started walking up the hill.
" Fujitaka, who else? " Alex replied smiling. " He mapped out the area and started digging and the next thing you know - BAM! - He's scored big time! "
" Sounds just like Fujitaka. " Sakura replied half-heartedly, looking back over her shoulder at the field below.
" So what's got you coming out here everyday anyway?" Alex asked losing some of his excitement.
Sakura let the breeze pick up her long hair and let it play with it. Alex watched and felt that somehow he was looking at a young woman on the threshold of maturity looking down on what she had dubbed her land - a land where something was not right. She'd had that look on her face for weeks now. No matter who asked her, she would give an evasive answer and would leave it at that.
" Sakura? " he asked again when she didn't answer.
" Can't you feel it? " she asked turning to look at him. Her kind and gentle emerald eyes full of sadness.
" Feel what? " he asked tilting his head on the side.
" There's something in the air. " she replied thoughtfully.
" Are you feeling alright? " Alex asked concerned. " Maybe you've been out in the sun too much. I told Fujitaka he was pushing you too hard, the least the old man could do is give you a raise. "
Sakura turned her unnatural emerald eyes on Alex and he felt the usual slam of desire go through him. Sakura Kinomoto was the youngest member of their team and yet she was the most beautiful young woman any of them had ever seen. The most desirable thing about her though, was the fact that she was totally oblivious to the fact that she was beautiful. She was completely innocent.
" This has nothing to do with Fujitaka. " she replied and they continued walking again.
" But Sakura you haven't been yourself lately. " Alex replied.
" You worry too much. " she replied quietly, her mind on the field again.
" But with your mind on that - " he indicated the field behind them. " How can you focus on anything else? "
" You just leave that to me. " she said and then picked up her pace as they came into the site.
People bustled back and forth, some carrying buckets of dirt out of the site, others bringing empty buckets back in. They headed for the little square of dirt where people were milling around watching as more and more of the find was uncovered. Sakura moved to the edge of the pit where one of the workers bowed his head to her and reached up, clasping her gently around her waist, lowering her down into the pit. She smiled a shy thank you at him and then brushed her hair out of her face as she knelt down next to Fujitaka and smiled when he looked up to acknowledge her.
" So what have you discovered this time papa? " she asked.
Fujitaka smiled brightly at his adopted daughter, wiping sweat from his brow. Sakura had been a little, shy girl with a dream the first time that he had met her. She had looked up at him with huge, emerald eyes and had told him that she was going to be working in his team one day - just as soon as she could grow up and get her degree. He had laughed and joked with the little girl and had spent the day sharing his knowledge with her. He had watched the light in her eyes when she talked about the things she knew and understood and how her little face flushed with excitement, would glow when he'd share another story with her.
He'd watched that light go out of her when her carer from the orphanage had come to take her little hand and guide her out of the museum. He had stood thoughtfully on the spot where she had left him and it took him only until the next morning to arrange for the little girl to be brought to live with him in his huge and lonely mansion. He'd never looked back.
She had soaked up every thing he had told her, explored with her own mind and found things that he had not known until she had shared them with him. She was bright and intelligent and he had watched her grow up and the pride he felt when he watched her filled his chest until sometimes he felt he would burst.
He had asked her if she had wanted to changer her last name to Kinomoto instead of Avalon, the name of her forgotten family, but she had shaken her curly head and stated that it was the last thing she had of her real family and that she was determined to keep it. But she had seen the pain in his eyes and had later come and sat on his knee where he sat in front of the fire and had mumbled that she would like to take his name. He had felt the tears come to his eyes as she had fallen asleep in his lap, her slow and steady breathing a comfort to an old and lonely man.
So he smiled brighter at Sakura and indicated that she could come closer to look for herself what he had found. For a sixteen year old who had already got her degree and had been working on his team for almost a year, Sakura was a very intelligent young woman and he couldn't be prouder.
Sakura hunkered down next to him and stared at the huge stone tablet still buried within the ground. She ran her hand over the line and tilted her head to the side as she did when she was running things through her mind trying to find a solution to a problem. It was ancient beyond anything they had ever uncovered before. The pictures were still hidden beneath dirt, but what she could see of them made her skin tingle and she frowned as she let her hand rest on it. It hummed with energy and she snapped her hand back as if burned.
" What is it? " Alex asked as he knelt down beside them.
" It's full of energy. " Sakura replied looking up at Fujitaka. " I don't like it papa. "
" Hmm. " Fujitaka placed his hands on it and waited. He pulled it back a moment later and shook his head. " I don't feel a thing. "
" But I can. " Sakura said and placed her hands back on it and pulled them away. " It's there. "
" Here let me try. " Alex pushed past them and placed his hands on it and shook his head.
" Nothing. "
" You're not trying hard enough. " Sakura said jumping to her feet. " I don't like it. You should leave it be. "
" Sakura - "
" See I told you old man. " Alex said indicating Sakura. " I told you were working her too hard. She's suffering from heat stroke or something; first strange feelings and now this. "
" I am not crazy Alex. " Sakura said anger coming into her emerald eyes.
" But sweetheart, " he soothed. " I can't help but worry. " Sakura rolled her eyes and jumped out of the pit.
" Whatever. I'm going to lie down. I'm tired. Excuse me please. "
Sakura bathed her face in the cool water set out by her servant that Fujitaka insisted that she have. She could do without the slavery, but her father had said that he never kept anyone in his employ that didn't want to be there. If they wished to go they were free to. He paid them well and he had never treated them badly, so Sakura had gone along with it - reluctantly. She liked doing things for herself and she didn't want to think herself someone that she was not. She was not some spoiled, little rich girl, she was a poor girl who was lucky enough to cross that divide and live a good life.
The tent flap pulled back and Fujitaka stood in the doorway. Sakura braided her hair and indicated for him to come in. He respected her need for privacy.
" My dear, " he began but stopped. Sakura tied off her hair and poured a cool drink for herself and handed one to him.
" I am not crazy papa. " Sakura said and smiled.
" I know my dear, but perhaps de Winterton was right. Maybe I am working you too hard. You are still young and not immune to the long hours like I am. " Sakura laughed.
" Papa, I've worked the same hours you have since I got my degree and even before then when you would sneak me in. "
Fujitaka nodded and sat down on the chair next to her. " Yes, I know. But I can't help but think lately, that maybe you would be better off not working so often and go out and have fun. Be with people you're own age and be ridiculously happy like so many others your age. I think I have become selfish in my senior years hoarding you all for myself. "
" Papa if I wanted to be some immature teenager on the verge of adulthood, I would be out there driving off into the sunset with de Winterton and screaming with delight at freedom and making out with as many boys as I can just for the thrill of it. " she saw his jaw tighten with the image of a 'loose woman' and smiled.
" Since I am in here and not in the back of de Winterton's car, no matter how rich he may be, I am where I want to be. You know I never really got along with people my own age. I am outcast, a loner. I like working with you and de Winterton though he can sometimes play the part of little rich boy too far. I would speak up if I was unhappy papa, so please do not worry so. I love you and I would not leave you unless I fell in love with a rock star and wanted fame and fortune and his children or unless I was adducted by aliens and had no way of letting you know that I would not be home for dinner. "
" Please do not talk about being adducted my dear, " Fujitaka said as he drained the last of the drink. " It would be the end of me if you were to disappear and never be seen again. "
" Oh don't be a fuddy duddy papa. " Sakura smiled. " I wasn't being serious. I was just making a point. "
" I know, but I do not want to hear your name and 'abducted' and 'never seen again' in the same sentence. It gives me chills just to hear it. "
Sakura rose and placed her hand lovingly on his shoulder and kissed him on the head. Pulling back and smiling, Sakura reassured him that she would never leave him. She loved him too much. Fujitaka left her to her rest and although it was cool, her body and mind tired, she tossed and turned with dreams of the field with the ruins.
The air was cooler tonight than it had been during the day. The city came to life when the sun set. Cafe's experiencing their peek hours opened their doors further and encourage any in, setting more tables and chairs outside so they could enjoy the nice weather.
A couple of buses drove passed followed by a break in the traffic and the small group ran through it to get to the other side of the street. Sakura laughed with delight as she shot everyone smiles as they made their way down the street to one of the more famous cafes.
As they came up the fancy cafe a redhead by the name of Jeanne shot a look at Fujitaka. " It's a good thing that you're paying for the underdogs like me to come to a place like this, otherwise old man I'd be demanding for a raise. "
" I can't help if I have a taste for finer things in life Jeanne. It makes good living, besides do you ever complain after being fed a good meal? "
" Sassy bastard. " Jeanne smirked as she flicked away her cigarette. " A girl like me has to eat but I can't help it if your fancy food gets stuck in my craw once and a while old man, ever heard of a selection? But despite all that I want to keep my boss happy and if I want to keep my job I'll keep my mouth shut. " she flashed him a sunny smile that had Sakura laughing as they walked into the cafe and asked for tables.
" . . . anyway my parents want me to return to Oxford and god knows where else to pick up a law degree. Can you believe it? Me a lawyer I mean? " Alex said as he refilled his cup for the third time. " I mean it was them that talked me into becoming an archaeologist in the first place and now that they know I'm having a ball, they want to uproot me again and make me do something else. I don't think fun is allowed in my family. Now I know how Daniel feels. "
" Maybe you should go pout and Daddy will buy you a new car. " one of the guys that they worked with jabbed him playfully in the shoulder and smiled.
" Hey shut up, I'm being serious. " Alex glared back.
" Don't worry de Winterton, " Sakura smiled. " Just throw a tantrum and if you successfully manage to ruffle your mother's feathers, maybe they'll let you stay. " she battered her eyes at him teasingly and he huffed.
" I can understand the rich boy jokes, but must you pick on me all the bloody time? "
Sakura patted him on the shoulder and tried to stifle her giggles, but her eyes shone with mirth. It was good to be young and be full of life. " Ok, ok. We'll lay off for a while, won't we everyone? " she asked smiling.
" Sure. " came a chorus of replies, all wearing smiles of their own.
" And I mean more than five minutes this time guys. " Alex said firmly to a chorus of laughter.
" So what's on the agenda for tomorrow? " Jeanne asked when she turned her gaze on Fujitaka.
" We'll do some more digging. I want that tablet out of the ground and into protection as soon as it is able. I don't want it breaking at the last moment. Whatever we can learn from it, will be helpful for the report. "
" You're not really going to the unearth that thing are you? " Sakura cut in a frown marring her forehead.
" You don't think we should? " Jeanne asked curiously.
" Sakura's been getting weird 'vibes' about it and the ruins on that back field. " Alex cut in teasingly.
" Really?" Jeanne asked interested. " Something bad huh? "
" I can't explain it. " she replied thoughtfully. " It's just something about that place that calls to me. "
" Be careful, " one guy spoke up flicking his cigarette before drawing on it deeply. " There's old stories around that talk about stuff like that. They say that you should stay away if you encounter something odd. Mainly fables and such, but still some people actually take it seriously. Maybe you should stay away for a while. "
" You think so? " Sakura asked still frowning. The guy shrugged.
" Not really into all that stuff myself, just things that we once talked about the pass the time. "
" I see. " Sakura picked up her coffee, but didn't drink it. She stared at her reflection in the liquid inside and frowned deeper.
" Perhaps, " Fujitaka cleared his throat and looked at Sakura. " Perhaps you should have a few days off. Just to explore and catch up on sleep. You do look tired of late my dear. We'll continue with the digging and you enjoy yourself. "
" You really think I should take a break? "
" I've been thinking about it for a while, but those shadows under your eyes prove that I'm right when I say take a few days off. "
" If you say so. " Sakura replied placing her cup down. " I wouldn't want to be in the way. "
" Good. Then it will ease my mind to know that you are relaxing and getting some sleep. " Fujitaka replied smiling.
Sakura nodded and one of the guys started talking about some of the funny things that had happened to him and some other workers when they had been overseas that had the small group laughing and telling jokes afterwards. To anyone that would walk past and gaze into the cafe, it would seem like a happy family was gathered around the tables inside sharing a closeness that could easily be seen. Some would smile and continue on and some would stop and go into the cafe and order something just to be a part of that happy scene that they had seen from out on the sidewalk.
The lines mimicked the scene in front of her revealing the old ruins and the scenery around it. Sakura swatted at a fly and then withdrew another stick of charcoal and started sketching again. There was just something about the ruins that called to her. What is was, she had no idea.
She pushed her hair away from her face irritated and then sighed when a shadow appeared on the sketch book in front of her and she sighed.
" We give you a couple of days off and why is it, that I'm not surprised to find you here? "
" Alex, you're in my light. " she replied patiently.
" Why should I move? You're supposed to be as far away from this place as possible. "
" Why is it today that you're playing bossy male? " Sakura sighed and shifted a little so she could begin again.
" Because I'm your friend from college and because I can worry about you. " Alex squatted down and looked down at the ruins.
Alex had been in his second year of college when he had first met the young wonder. At the young age of fourteen, Sakura had wizzed though all her courses surprising most and shocking others. She had met Alex when he had approached her to ask her how she did it. Despite the age difference, they two become solid friends and Alex managed to bring the shy, quiet girl out of her shell, if only a little. He, who had grown up with demands and being told what to do all his life, found the young girl with so much kindness to give, a relief of his daily misery.
Alex had finished after his third year and had received his college degree and found himself in Fujitaka's group thanks to the bright-eyed girl who had helped him along. A year later, fresh out of college herself, Sakura joined the group as well.
" Look I'm just curious about a weird feeling. That doesn't mean that I need a bodyguard. "
" I came to ask you a question, not to watch over you. "
" Well then, I'm sorry. " Sakura squinted and then sketched a difficult part of the drawing.
" That's coming along well, can I get a copy? "
" Sure. I never figured what you found in my silly sketches. You hoard every one I let you get your hands on. "
" You're good at what you do and what's wrong with liking what I see? "
" Alex I've told you I won't go out with you. You're not my type. " she replied gently as she could knowing the familiar line.
" I know, I know. Friend material but nothing more. Why do you reject everyone that asks you out? "
Sakura grunted as she nearly ruined her drawing. " We've had this argument before remember? My personal life is none of your concern. "
" But you never indulge in the greater things in life. "
" As in casual flings like you? " she retorted. " No thanks. I prefer to keep my reputation intact. "
" My reputation isn't in question Sakura. " Alex said frowning. " Besides it's not like I have so many mistresses that I can't remember their names. I - "
" Spare me Alex. You've had so many casual flings one could almost accuse you of over indulging yourself. Just because the female population swoons whenever you flash the charm doesn't mean that all girls will fall for it. "
" Ok I'm going to steer this away from explosive terrain, otherwise I might end up saying something that I will regret. "
Sakura just nodded and continued sketching. She adored Alex as a friend despite the times when the rich up-bringing came into play and threatened to topple their understanding of each other. Sometimes she wondered how thick her friend could be, but then she remembered that she was brought up differently from those around her. She had sense.
" So what did you want? " Sakura asked as she finished the picture.
" I just wanted to ask you what you thought of what my parents were asking of me. "
" You mean the whole Oxford thing? "
" Yeah. Do you think I should just ignore them and keep going, or should I sit down and talk to them? "
" Why do you ask me? I'm not the advice giving sort. I can barely choose between whether or not I want pizza or pasta on Friday nights at Jo's. What makes you think I could tell you how to deal with a tough situation? "
Alex smiled and brushed her hair away from her eyes. " That's what I love about you, you're always so honest. That's hard to find in many these days. "
" Alex. " Sakura said losing patience. " I repeat: What makes you think I can help? "
" Ok, lets put it this way. What would you do if old man Zaki wanted you to do something and - "
" I know where this is going. I would simply tell him that I was happy the way I was and making me do something else right now would make me unhappy. I'd tell him that I love being with everyone here and that I've found my place. Alex just tell them that their idea isn't completely blown out of the water and that you've considered it and if there comes a time when you want to do a little soul searching, that you will consider trying their idea. Who knows you might like it when you get sick of our rich boy jokes. "
" God. " Alex blinked and stared at her. " You're amazing, you know that? " Sakura shrugged.
" It's not that hard Alex. " she replied. " Here, " she signed her name with love and handed the sketch to Alex.
" But this is your only one. " Alex protested.
" No it's not. " Sakura said flipping the sketching book closed. " I got heaps earlier. Now are you coming? "
" Sure, wait up. "
Sakura took a deep breath and stared up at the ruins standing in front of her. She shifted her bag that she carried on her shoulder. It was windy today, and she had braided her hair to keep its length out of her eyes and face. She rested her boot on the stair and just stood there and listened. After a while she pushed up and walked into the old ruin and looked around her.
It was a simple room with the usual engravings and pictures on the wall. What she was amazed at was the amount of detail on the engravings in the stone floor. Although it was cracked from the years of time, from the earth shifting and from when part of the ceiling had collapsed, it was still mostly intact. It was amazing.
" Ok I'm finally here. " she whispered looking above her at the ceiling. " What do you want from me? "
" Almost have it! " Alex puffed as he and several others tried to lift the stone tablet from the ground. " Heave! "
The ground shifted and gave and the stone was lifted into the air with cheers and whistles. Finally it was revealed. The huge stone tablet revealed a circle with several squares inside with a huge sun and a moon sitting below it to the left side. Behind the pictures lie a mass of lines all intermingling together, connecting everything together.
" Gently people, gently. " Fujitaka said as they moved it out of the pit and laid it down on the examining table under the shelter of the tent.
" Ah, my lovely. " Fujitaka crooned as he brushed more dirt off it. " Lets get a better look at you shall we? "
They all leaned closer to it and tried to make out more details as they laid it down. Suddenly the dirt blew off it as the wind picked up and they were forced to shield their eyes from the blast. The tent pulled against its pegs and one managed to be ripped out, flapping in the air.
" Where did that come from? " Jeanne yelled over the sound of the wind.
" I don't know. Was there anything on the forecast predicting a gale force wind? " Alex yelled.
They rest could only wait until the freak storm disappeared.
Meanwhile . . .
She heard it coming across the fields and she tensed wanting to know what it was. When it hit, she realized that it had been the sound of the wind coming down the hills at top speed. The ruin creaked and she screamed as rocks and debris fell. She dropped her bag and put her hands up over her ears and waited for it to end. Where had this come from? Alex had said nothing that morning about there being a big front coming through.
More rocks fell and just when the thought came to her that she should run, something struck her in the back of the head and she saw red and then black as she fell.
And that was all she knew . . .
Amongst the sound of soft chanting, murmurs of prayers and the sweet smell of the incense burning nearby, a young woman lifted her head, the smoke of the incense burning around her. Near by, a small golden gong used for ceremony, reverberated as if struck slightly. The song echoed past her and seemed to fill the temple. She watched the gong swayed back and forth and sighed.
Her prayers had been answered.
TBC
Author's question: Why do you lose all the spacing you make in the edit/preview section? I have had many a comment on the compact order of my story but in reality their are clean spaces to my work. Does anyone know how to combat this?
