She runs with Wolves
By Krystal Klear
Rating R or M
Chapter One
"Luckily I can catch up with you." He smiled weakly at her from the bubble of emptiness that encircled him. "I have a little bit of power left. You must be tired you used too many cards!"
Sakura could only stare at him in sadness not really able to believe what was happening.
"Sayoran" She stuttered sadly.
He smiled at her reassuringly.
"Even if I loose this feeling I'm still-"but the darkness of the bubble over took him.
"Sayoran!" she cried out not noticing that a card had released it's self from the confines of her pocket until the inside of the clock tower filled with a warm and peaceful light.
She kept her eyes closed at first from being blinded but then she did not want to see the results.
"Don't cry, everything is alright." She heard a whisper directly into her mind.
Carefully opening her eyes to face what ever horror faced her she looked back at Sayoran his green costume tattered and torn. The hope card revealing it's self to her and floating slowly to her hand.
"Sayoran!" she called out tears forming in her emerald eyes. "I don't care what you think! I love you Sayoran! I love you the most!"
He looked at her his emotions closed off and felt her heart falter as she closed her eyes more tears streaming down her cheeks. She had to give her most important memory, did that mean that he would loose what he felt for her as a price?
"Me too!" She looked up him with hope, as he turned to her his intense amber eyes alight with warmth and love taking her breath away.
"Sakura." He smiled at her as though she had made him the happiest person in the world. She leapt with out thinking from the gap between the stairs and he luckily caught her wrapping her up in his arms.
That memory always stayed in the back of her mind, when he had to return she gave him one thing that meant more to her she gave him her hope card and her heart. 10 years later she had finished school and started at the university studying archeology and anthropology deciding to follow in her father's footsteps. She knew one day he would come whether it would be to return hope and her heart or come back into her life she didn't know.
Sayoran Li spent the last 10 years in training completely isolated from the rest of the world.
"Yo! Pay attention!" Her friend Ziza whispered to her frustratingly causing Sakura to come back to reality.
She glared at Ziza with frustration before returning back to her psychology class.
It really wasn't her friend's fault she was on edge as though she had way too much caffeine and not enough exercise to get rid of the access energy. It didn't help that the feeling of her usual strict concentration was eluding her today. Her cards seemed to be in an uproar inside her head she knew something was brewing, but they seemed to be speaking of things in bits and pieces so she could not understand. She hadn't felt that way in years since that day she had to fight for the Hope card, amazingly the Hope card even though the card was not with her seemed to be her most loving card. It's amazing how such things happen.
"Miss Kinnomoto!" Called her teacher.
"Yes sir?" Sakura asked snapping back to reality with difficulty.
"Perhaps you would care to answer the question?"
Bowing her head in embarrassment she avoided eye contact with everyone.
"I'm sorry Sir what was the question again?" She said softly, her cheeks reddened more when her classmates chuckled.
"Please pay attention Miss Kinnomoto this will be on your final exam." He responded looking down his nose at her from the podium he seemed not in the least bit of surprised that one of his prize students was not paying attention, her mind was obviously on the graduation held in three weeks.
Sakura couldn't help but let out a huge sigh of relief when the minutes went by and class had finally ended. Her teacher called out to all of them reminding them of their assignment and that in two weeks time they would be having their final examination. She followed her friend Ziza through the door her books piled in her arms and her back pack held loosely at her side.
"Sakura what is with you? You're totally out of it?" Ziza asked as she pushed her silver wire frames up her nose, her silver green eyes looking at her in worry.
"Nothing." Sakura sighed as she tried to put her books in her backpack as they walked. "It's just something big is about to happen I can feel it."
Ziza grinned at her friend and stopped with her as she finally zipped her backpack up and slung it over her shoulder.
"Of course something big is going to happen!" Ziza giggled lacing her arm in Sakura's happily. "Sakura in three weeks we will be saying goodbye to Chiba University! We will be graduates ready to embark on a new adventure!"
Sakura smiled even though Ziza had experienced a few close calls with Sakura's magic she still remained blissfully ignorant. Ziza had even seen many of Tomoyo's obnoxious movies and had complimented Tomoyo on her special effects.
Ziza laughed as they walked across the courtyard through the billowing cherry blossoms as they fell like snow on the ground.
"Oh Sakura I'll miss this place, I can't believe that four years has passed and now it's a month away before I'll be back in Fair Haven. I can hardly believe I came here! It still seems like such a dream!" Ziza released her friends arm and twirled around the courtyard ignoring the other students that turned to gawk at her silliness. Sakura thought about it often and agreed Japan would not be the same now without Ziza. She was so playful except when it came to her studies, but really there was something special about this woman she had met her freshman year.
"Sakura!" A familiar voice called out to her stopping her in her tracks.
Spinning around she found Yukito dressed in a pair of khakis and a light blue polo standing a few feet away. Ziza just stopped her mouth hung open like a fish Yukito always had that effect on her even after four years of seeing him.
"Yukito." Sakura called out walking towards her brother's Lover and guardian of her Sakura cards. They gave each other a friendly embrace before facing each other once again.
"Why are you here Yukito? Is Touya here too?" Sakura asked happily.
"No." Yukito usual grin sobered and his soft gray eyes gained a cold silver sheen. "I was in the area and thought I'd take you home rather than you having to take the train."
"Okay." Sakura agreed hesitantly glancing over at Ziza who stood there out of place.
"Hey no problem! I always have a shorter ride on the train than you anyway I'm in Juban remember you have all the way to Tomeda to go!" Ziza replied cheerfully before waving goodbye and walking away.
"She is more than she lets on Sakura, much more than she lets on!" Yue replied through Yukito's lips. "She has magic even if she acts like she's never heard of it."
"Ziza?" Sakura responded before laughing. "Come on, Ziza magical?"
"Yes Ziza Sakura, she's a magical being not some silly school girl who came to Japan because she loves anime like she wants everyone to believe."
"Trust me Yue Ziza is harmless, she's leaving to go back to the states in a month. Where she says she fights for boredom and laziness in the name of the moon." Sakura laughed as she tried to do a mock sailor Ziza stance.
"Her fight in the states has nothing to do with the moon." Yue answered seriously as he opened the door to the Silver Audi parked up front.
"Alright, alright geesh." Sakura surrendered as she entered Yukito's car, unfazed as he slammed the car door.
Yukito entered on the other side barely waiting to leave the parking lot before a flash of silver wings transformed Yukito into the stunningly beautiful yet cold Yue.
"She may be dangerous to us Sakura, there is something changing both Kerobus and I have both felt it. Something is amiss Sakura you need to be on your guard." Yue looked directly at her before turning his head to keep his eyes on the road.
"Don't worry Yue, I promise I'll keep on my toes." Sakura responded before glancing out the window.
She smiled warmly as she felt something tug at her heart, whatever Yue and Kero-chan felt she didn't think it was a threat. I had to be something else.
The sun was beginning to rise giving the sky a purple hue that met into the ocean's horizon. Breathing in deeply he ignored the icy depths of the ocean shallows as the tide lapped lethargically at his waist. His eyes kept closed he rested his legs in an open stance and his tongue pressed lightly to the roof of his mouth be began to breathe deeply through his nose. His chest contracted and released with every breath as he pulled energy from the earth. Slowly he pulled his arms from his sides and mocked the leisurely roll of the waves keeping his hands slightly curled to keep the energy he was storing in his own body. Keeping himself relaxed he opened his connection and felt his kinetic self grasp a hold of a steel colored cord that connected his heart to hers. Beaming inside he caressed and nurtured it feeding his own energy to it. He knew Sakura fed it with her own energy as well, although she did not have the training he had. Her magic was feral and uncontrolled yet subconsciously it seemed to maintain its own connection to him. Sakura remained first in his heart much too many of the elder's distaste. His family was separated when it came to Sakura Kinnomoto some of the elders of the Li clan were troubled that such a novice had won the control of the clow cards and they thought she was a disgrace to the magical world. She had no control, no discipline, no one to train her. Others including his mother thought differently after meeting the high spirited Ying Fa she instantly felt the soul bond her son had involuntarily forged with her even before he was fully aware of his own feelings about Sakura. She led a strong force on the opposing side believing that if the incarnation of Clow himself favored Sakura Kinnomoto than there must be some reason behind his final Choice, Yue would never allow someone to wield the cards if he judged them unfit. Yelan Li believed strongly in Sakura's capabilities of using the cards and being the holder of her son's heart. She was the person who carried the main vote when Sayoran wished his engagement to Mei Ling dissolved.
It didn't take much for him to feel his cousin's presence even though she held no magical aura, the faint trace of crimson could be felt as she walked closer to the sea shore.
"Hello Mei ling," He smiled in his cousin's direction his eyes still closed, "you're late I expected you to be here a half an hour ago."
He chuckled when he heard his cousin growl frustratingly she did that often when she knew her cousin's power was increasing in ways that she could never compete with. Physically Mei Ling was close to his second but sadly Mei Ling would never be his equal magically. He heard the sound of splashing water as Mei ling in her worn out baggy clothes stood next to him ready to begin another day with a small Tai Chi session. They moved in unison as their hands flowed in the air beautifully pulling energy from the wind while the rest of their body pulled it from the earth and the ocean. For Mei ling she would only gain more spiritual balance. For Sayoran it was a different story his aura could stretch as his kinetic mind expanded opening his awareness around him. He could hear the whispering thoughts of those who lived on the Li estate he worked on it getting quieter knowing that if he didn't gain control of the volume he could go mad. He could hear the breakfast being prepared in the kitchens, the deep breathing of still slumbering members of the clan, and the faint whispers of his mother and his Aunt Yin Ben Zhi.
"-The mistress of the cards." Yelan whispered quietly.
"Yes she seems to have done well for herself; she's following in her father's footsteps."
"In archeology? Where is she currently studying?" Yelan asked as she noisily sipped on her green jasmine tea.
"Chiba University in Tokyo, Japan. She and Minako Saito have been placed at the top scores. Her graduation is only months away soon she will be getting ready for graduate school rumors have it that she is considering a university in Hong Kong." The sound of water being poured distorted the remainder of words as tea was poured into a tea cup before his Aunt Yin Ben Zhi.
"Well Sakura Kinnomoto has made it no secret that her heart belongs to my son and no other." Yelan Li replied proudly before continuing to mix some green tea with jasmine flowers.
"Than perhaps they have been parted long enough Yelan after all you claimed you wanted to know how powerful the bond was before you devoted yourself to protecting their union." His Aunt slurped her tea politely before continuing. "They have been separated for nearly ten years with little to no communication other than a gift at Christmas and a card on birthdays. Sayoran acts as though she is by his side daily in his devotion to her."
"True Yin your right, it's past time. Sayoran will finish his training to two days time, although he still has to complete his testing." Yelan Li sighed deeply imbedded in her consciousness was the memory of Sayoran's own father after he completed the test, although he was still the same loving man to his wife but the test changed him made him distant and vague at times, being that she wasn't his true mother but his father's second wife she worried for her adopted sons. "I wish she was here already, it will take so long for the engagement to go through the council. I fear we will not see Sakura for a years time."
"The council is just a bunch of old men blowing hot air! Say the word Yelan and Sakura Kinnomoto is as good as here, I can start the negotiations as early as tomorrow! We can worry about the council when she is here with Sayoran where she belongs."
Dead silence followed for sometime before he heard something that caused his heart to flip flop happily and his concentration to disappear, Sayoran fell to the ocean floor with a splash causing a proud Mei Ling to laugh hysterically, she finally pulled her leg back from its original position of kicking his legs out from under him.
"I thought you told me that Relaxation and concentration was the key to staying dry cousin?" Mei Ling giggled as she watched her saturated cousin pull himself to shore he hadn't been wet in years, with his own magic he had learned to repel water.
Sayoran ignored her full heartedly how could he concentrate when the most wonderful thing was about to happen, Sakura Kinnomoto here! Soon they would finally be together and if he could help it they would never be parted.
Her sandy blonde hair whipped with the wind causing her greenish-silver eyes to narrow as her hands tried in vain to push the loose strands out of her face. She glanced at the cheery yellow house the windows open to allow the summer breeze to rush through the house.
"Why are you here?" She heard the icy voice from behind her and turned to meet the winged guardian.
Meeting Yue had not been one of her favorite past times, she found him to be some what unnerving.
"Would you believe I'm here to study for finals." She answered and turned to face the beautiful and stoic face.
The difference of his counterpart was uncanny, and a little odd when she thought of the fact they were the same person. After all at Sakura's last birthday he managed to devour half of her birthday cake and anything that had resembled leftovers.
"You are an excellent student otherwise you would not be in a Japanese University, they don't exactly take Americans unless they are certified geniuses." Yue answered smartly causing her smile to disappear completely.
"Then you got me hmmmm. . .why am I here? Perhaps because Yukko requires it and Makona wasn't free." She answered sounding vague.
"Then she would have sent her skinny legged twit and his counter part exorcist." Yue answered coolly.
"Well I'm leaving in three weeks I had to give up payment somehow, keep in mind who you are speaking of! Kimihiro Watanuki is nowhere near being a twit." Ziza seemed put out this was after all going to be difficult, after playing clueless to Sakura's abilities she was going to have to fess up.
"Of course Yukko sending you, that explains everything, why you're away from Solstice gate, why you're bugging the mistress of the cards, especially since your abilities have nothing to do with Sakura." Yue seemed to ease up a little now that he knew that Ziza's desire to be friends had nothing to do with the mess she had left in the states.
"Sola and Sebastian seem to be handling the Gate just fine on their own. I'm not worried I'm sure they have everything under control." She lowered her gaze to him. "My primary concern is Fei Wong."
"Hmm I don't see why he should be a concern, Clow made sure that he was in a harmless region of time and space." Yue answered unconcerned.
"Yes you would be completely non-chalant wouldn't you? Perhaps you aren't aware that I am one of the keepers of Time, every region in this world has a Time gate due to your last masters over-zealous confidence. Being that you are just a guardian of the cards would you really care that the space and time gates are unraveling?" Ziza now was loosing her patience. "I am the only one available at this time to be Sakura's protection that is why I have been here making sure that while she studies under her father's footsteps she has not seen the massive amount of time rifts around her."
"I have not seen any rifts." Yue growled taking a step forward.
"Then your blind!" Ziza growled back pushing the guardian backwards causing him to stumble backwards his wings flaring to keep balance.
Yue instantly felt the difference around him; the world was colorless and seemed to shift irregularly. He knew what this was it both shocked and terrified him that he would be completely unaware of a time rift this close. A hand grasped his own and pulled him back into reality.
Ziza yanked Yue behind her with brute strength and held her hand up to the now visible tear in reality. Her hands gave off an orange glow and her true form interposed itself upon her human form. She resembled a woman with feline features complete with ears and tail.
"Understand I am not the enemy and your attitude and cruelty has only made my job harder." She glared at him before pulling her book bag over her shoulder she looked back at the stunned guardian. "Things are about to get very different the Li's are sending a wedding negotiator to begin the proceedings, his adoptive mother wants him married before he begins the final test."
These words left Yue speechless, the final test! He sighed in disbelief Saroyan Li seemed too young to him to be taking the test. But then he thought of Sakura's own final test she came back stronger for a long time she seemed broken, her soul tainted when her body was still whole. The final test was not Kero or his idea and when they realized what the graduation present was it was too late. The box was a ruse the time portal she was sucked into closed immediately after her and she was left little choice but the finish what the current Time Master started.