For some reason, I changed -san to Mr.. I think it's because I was still comparatively new to Tsubasa then, so I didn't feel like it. If you want it changed, let me know. Easily done.


As Sakura, Fai, and Mokona began picking their way back through the valley of tombstones, far away, along the dirt path and up a small hill, in the square of a town unlike any other, a hurried meeting was being called:

"Okay, everyone! They're down in the valley, so we might not have much time! We don't have time for much fancy. We'll just scare them out of their skin!"

"Sounds good to me!"

"Yeah!"

"I love it! Brilliant!

"Ahahahaha!"

"Yes, yes! Everyone, please! I still need your attention! Now…Zero, when I tell you, lead them up here. You know what to do. Clown, if they get here before we're ready, hold them until I give you the signal."

"Got it, boss!"

"Great! Okay, now. Bed Monster, Stair Monster, usual places. Werewolf, this time I'd like to try you in the trashcan. Give 'em the old jack-in-the-box routine! Corpse Tree, I'd like you…"


"Ghost dog?" asked Kurogane scornfully. "I don't believe it."

"It was true…" said Sakura softly.

Syaoran stepped up to Sakura's defense, the sword Hien now re-tied at his side. "Master, why would she make that up?" he asked.

"We heard a dog bark, I know that much," said Fai.

"So there was a dog. Big deal," said Kurogane, unconvinced.

"And a dog grave!" cried Mokona indignantly. "Ghost dog!"

"I still don't buy it!"

"But Master, didn't you say there were magical creatures in your world?" asked Syaoran. "Ghosts are magical creatures, aren't they?"

Fai smiled and nodded. Kurogane through up his hands in frustration, but before he could yell back, he was interrupted…

…by the barking of a dog.

The five whirled around. The barking seemed to be coming from behind a tombstone a few feet away. Sakura hurried over; Syaoran following with a cry of "Princess, wait!"

Sakura rounded the headstone to find it deserted, but then the barking started up again, another few headstones away. She hurried off again, much to Syaoran's dismay.

"Wait for me!" called Fai, joining the chase. Kurogane, in danger of being left stranded with Mokona on Fai's shoulder, had no choice but to follow.

And so the dance proceeded. No matter how quickly Sakura ran, just when she thought she'd found the dog, the barking would start again, in another place. After ten minutes, there was no doubt in the minds of Syaoran, Sakura, Fai, or Mokona that it was a ghost they were dealing with. Kurogane, trailing behind Fai, didn't know and didn't care. He was already sick of this world.

Sakura, out of breath, was finally forced to stop, letting Syaoran catch up. "Are you all right, Princess?" he asked worriedly. Sakura managed to smile while she gasped for air.

"I'm all right," she said. "But…I think I lost the dog…"

It was true. The barking of the ghost dog had echoed around the graveyard during the chase, but now it was silent again except for the wind.

Fai finally managed to catch up to the two children at that point. "Syaoran? Sakura?" he asked, glancing at them. Then, looking around, he said, almost sadly: "Oh dear. Our friend must have gotten bored. Well, I guess now we should find out where to go ne—oh! Look!"

The two kids followed Fai's pointing finger, up across the graveyard.

Off in the distance, set on a small hill, was a town.

Kurogane finally managed to catch up. "Well then, shall we?" asked Fai. Syaoran and Sakura nodded, and the four, ignoring Kurogane, began picking their way through the enormous cemetery, towards the only landmark they could see. Kurogane had to stop himself from pulling out his own sword, Sohi, and taking out his frustration on the nearest acceptable targets (Fai and Mokona) before he followed.

There was no way of telling how long it took to get up to the wrought-iron gates of the town, but the group still had to stop for a rest about halfway along. During their rest, Sakura fell asleep, and the other four knew better than to try and wake her up, so Syaoran carried her the rest of the way. Truth to tell, he just wanted to lay down and sleep as well, no matter how much bad luck he might rack up from it, but he refused to let it show.