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DEATH!*

One Dark and Stormy Night

Ch. 2

As Fai joined Syaoran, they traded knowing looks… yes, something was watching them. They could feel its eyes on them, watching their every move.

If only this storm would let up already! Syaoran thought. I can't see a thing through the rain, and the wind is shifting everything… I can't tell the difference between movement from the wind and movement caused by someone or something! "I hope Kurogane-san finds shelter for us soon." Syaoran said to Fai.

He turned to ask Fai what he thought, but Fai was watching the tree line a few meters from where they had entered the forest edge. "I think I saw something move over that way." he said as he pointed in the general direction. "But I am not certain. It may have just been my over-active imagination."

Syaoran couldn't help but chuckle a little. "Well- you DO have quite the imagination, you know! I'll go take a look anyway." Fai had not meant for him to actually go and check it out- that would leave the rest of them without much defense, and he did not want to incur the samurai's wrath if he should suddenly return to find them separated, even if just by a small distance.

"No- Syaoran-kun… you and I should stick together. Present a unified front should something come at us." Fai said. He dismissively added "It was probably nothing anyway."

Hidden in the underbrush, mere feet from where Fai had thought he had seen something, it waited... watching the little group with keen interest. Nothing had dared enter its forest or meadow in a long time. It absentmindedly scratched at an old battle scar on its side with a hind leg, popping off a loose scale in the process. Yes, it must be more careful… skills rusty from non-use for so long had nearly given its position away once already.

No… they would not see it again. One mistake was too many. These strangers looked to be dangerous. One does not live as long as it had without having good instincts. It was content to watch and decide for itself what these new creatures would do in its forest. Then it would decide how to deal with them, but deal with them it would.

They watched the forest edge for a few more cold, wet, and windy minutes. Whatever Fai had seen (or thought he had seen) did not show itself again. The forest continued to be battered by the storm, branches and bushes whipping all around them.

"We should head back and check on Sakura-chan." Syaoran shouted, the wind practically ripping the words out of his mouth. "It's hard to believe it, but I think this storm is getting stronger! Whatever is out there is probably having as rough of a time as we are… hopefully that will keep it at bay until we can find shelter."

Despite the strength of the storm that raged, it effortlessly moved over the ground and through the vegetation. It knew the lay of the land so well that, even in the darkest hour or the fiercest storm, it would not stumble or misstep. It knew every rock, blade, and branch. Years of living in the same area, walking these same paths daily, had etched it all into its memory. Stopping briefly, it shook off some of the water that had gathered on its back, drenching the nearby leaves even more. It really disliked the rain, but at least the storm would help keep its small lake full. The fish would appreciate the fresh water too, and it would appreciate the fish as well. Its stomach grumbled at the thought and its mouth watered.

Fai nodded his agreement as he gave one last glance to the spot it had been. He projected his thoughts in its general direction. Wherever you are, whatever you are, we wish you no ill… please pay us no mind, we are just passing through. He hoped, whatever manner of being was out there, that it kept itself hidden and safe throughout the storm. He turned and quickly followed Syaoran back in the direction where Mokona and Sakura were huddled.

It stopped in its tracks as the thought met its mind. That is… interesting. It turned its head to gaze back at where the new creatures had been. I must contemplate the meaning of this new development... it thought. Interesting indeed.