Disclaimer: Just so everyone is clear on this
Disclaimer: Just so everyone is clear on this. I do not own CardCaptor Sakura. Also, I do not own any characters that are Devil May Cry, they belong CAPCOM.
Second Disclaimer: I also do not own the characters Life, Death, Miaka, Dren, Lost, Nightmare, Sorrow, Illness, Seduce, Fear, and Evil. They all belong to the genius mind of Hearts of Eternity. She is the one who created these awesome characters and she also owns the original concept of this timeline and the events. The only character that I personally own is Zero.
Author's Note: Being that this is a sequel of sorts to Hearts of Eternity's story Links in a Chain, it may be in your best interest to go back and read her story first. Otherwise, you may not know exactly what is going on or who some of the featured characters are.
Anyway, here's the second chapter, and for you Tomoyo and Eriol fans, something big is going to happen so get ready…
An Angel's Scream, A Devil's Cry
Chapter 2: A Grand Proposal
In the late afternoon, with dinner time looming close of the horizon, two men were still out walking through the streets, one looking completely at peace as he strolled along at his own pace, the other looking a little frazzled as he peered into different shop windows, scrutinizing the wares within.
In absolutely no rush, much to Syaoran's annoyance, Eriol just kept watching him amusedly. "So, Syaoran…" the sorcerer began, the lilt in his voice ever-teasing, "find what you were looking for yet?"
Naturally, the only response the sorcerer received was an irritated growl as Syaoran tried valiantly to ignore his companion, continuing vainly in his search for a gift.
Chuckling lightly, Eriol adjusted his glasses, and then ran a hand through his lovely dark tresses. It didn't matter how old either he or Syaoran got, there would always be some things that stayed the same. Even if they were a little taller, a little more mature, and a little more wise about the world, Syaoran would always be Syaoran, aggravated by the there presence of Eriol, and Eriol would always be Eriol, happy to do everything in his power to be the aggravator.
"Do you want me to help you look?" Eriol offered lightly, trailing behind Syaoran by a few steps.
"No."
"Two sets of eyes are better than one, though."
"I don't need your help," Syaoran grunted as he passed from one window to the next.
"Well, I'm offering anyways," Eriol shrugged. "Just tell me what you're looking for and I'll help."
An exasperated sigh rose from the warrior. "To tell you the truth, Hiiragisawa, I really don't know what I'm looking for. It's just… I haven't been able to spend a lot of time with Sakura lately and I want to get her something to make up for it. You know, something special for her to let her know that I still lover her-."
"Of course she knows you still love her. You don't need to get her a gift to let her know that," Eriol reassured.
"I know, I know… I just- I really want to get her something special to let her know how special she is to me." Another sigh passed his lips and he fell back onto a nearby bench, slumping in defeat. It was too sad a sight for Eriol to leave alone, so he wandered over and allowed himself to place a hand gently on the warrior's shoulder.
"You know Syaoran," he began, "I think the greatest gift you could give her would to just be there for her. You know she loves you more than anything and you feel the same way for her, so I'm sure she won't mind if you just get her something normal."
Syaoran looked up to his friend, considering the option of 'something normal.' "You're right, but still…I just want to get her something, something special to show her I care." The young chest-nut haired man let out a sigh and looked over to Eriol and asked, "What about you? Aren't you going to get Tomoyo something?"
A devious light sparkled from behind the sorcerer's glasses. "Oh, I've got something for her," he replied cryptically. "Let's just say that it's a little something that will change her life forever."
Syaoran rolled his eyes at the semi-cryptic message. "If you didn't want to tell me what you got her, you could have just said so," he said flatly.
Eriol only continued to grin mischievously. "That would have taken all the fun out of it though," he laughed. "I want this to be an absolute surprise, so nobody can find out until tonight."
Syaoran only shrugged. "Whatever you say, Hiiragisawa. The only thing I'm concerned about right now is what to get Sakura."
"Maybe you'll find what you're looking for when you least expect it," Eriol laughed.
Syaoran pushed himself up off the bench, patting invisible dust out of his pants. "I don't think so," he replied gloomily. "Things like that don't-," a glimmer of something in a shop window caught his eye, "-happen…"
Eriol rose to his feet as well, following his friend's gaze. He laughed. "You were saying?"
Ignoring the dark-haired man for the moment, Syaoran wandered over to the window to admire the beautiful piece of jewelry that had caught his eye. "It's perfect."
"Then get it," Eriol urged, smiling.
Syaoran glanced back, a half-smile playing on his lips. "That's exactly what I'm going to do."
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"So, Sakura, what are you going to wear tonight?" asked a curious Tomoyo as the two women stood on the stoop of the Kinomoto residence.
"Um… no idea, really," replied a timid Sakura. "Something nice?"
Tomoyo could only cluck her tongue in disapproval. "Oh, Sakura, we can't have that, now can we? Just leave it to me; I've got the perfect dress for you to wear." Her amethyst eyes sparkled with a mischievous light that was all too reminiscent of Eriol's.
"You always have something up your sleeve, don't you?" Sakura laughed, balancing her groceries in one arm so that she could turn the knob to her house.
"You know me too well, Sakura," Tomoyo replied.
As the door slipped open, a loud squeal of joy resounded through the house before a rush of green robes and a head of golden hair zoomed out the door and straight into Sakura. The blur of energy that had buried itself into Sakura's chest and was hugging her ecstatically vaguely resembled that of a golden-haired young boy with a royal circlet encircling his head.
"Miss Sakura! Miss Sakura! You're back! I'm so glad you've returned!"
Sakura, who was now on the ground, giggled and lightly hugged the little boy back. "Lost, I was only gone for a few minutes."
The young spirit boy named Lost just continued to hug her.
"I know, but I was just so worried about you!"
The young emerald-eyed woman gave the little boy a warm smile. "It's ok, Lost, don't worry. I'm back now, and look who I brought home."
Lost looked up with his bright blue eyes and saw Tomoyo waving at him happily. The little boy grinned even wider and leapt up into her arms and hugged her tightly, too. "Miss Tomoyo! How are you? I'm so glad you came!"
The raven-haired woman only giggled and hugged the little spirit back. "I'm glad to be here, Lost. It's been so long since I've seen you! Have you grown?"
Lost laughed, pulling away to look the woman in the face. "Miss Tomoyo, you know I don't grow any!" he exclaimed, scolding her lightly for forgetting; he was exactly the same as the day he'd been created.
"Really?" Tomoyo asked, mock-surprised. "I could have sworn you've gotten a little cuter!" She nuzzled him playfully as the spirit giggled and tried to escape.
Sakura picked herself up off the ground and gathered her fallen groceries. "It does seem like he's gotten a little cuter now, hasn't it?" she said.
Lost's eyes lit up fantastically with the mere thought of his mistress thinking he had gotten cuter. His entire body simply radiated joy. "Yayyy! Miss Sakura thinks I'm cute!"
"You're also a royal pain in the neck," someone intone from the doorway, though the voice was light, teasing. An unusual looking young man leaned against the door frame, his skin tinted with the lightest shade of pale, pale blue. He eyes were dark pools of navy, the same shade as his curly hair, and matching the strange glyphs beneath his eyes. Even his robes were of different shades of blue, accented by deep strips of black, with patterns of bats scattered across it. "I've been looking for you everywhere, pip-squeak."
Lost simply scrunched up his face and blew the other spirit a raspberry. "I've been having fun with Miss Sakura and Miss Tomoyo!"
"Well party's over, kid; if everyone else still has to work, than you do too."
"Oh, Nightmare, lighten up," Sakura teased. "He's only a little boy."
Nightmare sighed and shook his head. "He's as old as I am, Miss Sakura," he replied tiredly. "He just doesn't act like it."
"You ruin everything, you big jerk," Lost pouted, pushing himself out of Tomoyo's hold. He didn't fall to the ground, though, as an impossibly large lantern zipped through the door and caught the little boy in mid-air. Lost hugged it and hung on as it hovered in midair. Since all of the other spirits had their signature weapons and outfits, Sakura and Syaoran decided that Lost certainly needed his lantern back. It took a lot of effort to create a magical lantern like the one the little spirit had lost long ago, but it was the least they could do to help him for all the things he had done for them. Since the moment Lost had received his new lantern, he'd been in love with it.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm a party-pooper, I've heard it all before," Nightmare sighed, his arm suddenly melting into a strange misty-liquid substance and stretching out to nab Lost's lantern and drag him in. "Just get in the house before a mundane sees you floating around like that."
Once Lost was in, the rest of Nightmare's body dissolved into the strange, unidentifiable blue substance, much to Lost's indignation and a stubborn utterance of "hypocrite," and slithered over to gather to groceries from Sakura and Tomoyo. "Allow me to take those," Nightmare said, his voice emanating from the shifting blue mass.
All too used to the strange quirks her spirits possessed, Sakura just smiled and handed over what she held. "You're too kind, Nightmare," Sakura said warmly.
"It is my pleasure, Miss Sakura," Nightmare replied, slithering into the house and making his way to the kitchen. The two girls followed after, admiring what the spirits had done to the inside of the house. It was clean. Not just average clean, but gleaming, see-your-reflection-in-the-floor clean.
"I am very happy that you have come back," Nightmare said amiably as he deposited the groceries on the counter and reformed, his kind, dark eyes on his Mistress. "I hope you had a nice trip."
"It was good to see the town again," Sakura replied warmly, moving to assist the spirit in putting the food away. "It's been so long since we've last seen it."
"Yes, it certainly has," Nightmare agreed softly.
Lost cooed from his perch on his lantern. "I've missed it here. I really like Tomoeda."
"Me too," Sakura said, smiling. "It will always be my home."
Lost swooped down and pecked his mistress on the cheek. "And our home is where you are."
Tomoyo giggled, adoring how cute Sakura and her spirits were together. Deciding to move the conversation along, the raven-haired woman stepped up to the counter to offer her own hand in putting the groceries away. "How has being stuck here all day been for you, Nightmare?" she asked lightly, peering up at the spirit as he suddenly floated a few feet off the ground in order to reach the top of the spice shelf.
In his usual fashion, Nightmare smiled cordially, tipping his head. "I would say that I have not had anything out of the ordinary happen, Miss Tomoyo," he replied evenly. "Nothing beyond the usual frustrations of dealing with a pack of creatures bent on driving the bats right off of my robes."
Both girls laughed, glancing to each other amusedly. After three years of getting used to the peculiar dynamics each spirit help with the others of their tight knit group of seven, it was plain to see that Nightmare greatly exaggerated the pains he went to keep his charges in line. While he had long ago lost his role as leader to Pain when the orange spirit first succumbed to Evil, the lost still stinging to this day, Nightmare never lost his propensity to take care of his spirits, nor had they lost their inclination to follow him- and make trouble, as the younger ones were prone toS.
Sakura laid a gentle hand on Nightmare's shoulder. "I'm sure Lost and the Twins weren't that bad," she said lightly.
Nightmare made a piteous noise, shooting a rueful glance towards Lost. "It just so happens that the pip-squeak decided to use his powers to make everything of use and importance to me utterly disappear," the older spirit informed. "Not to mention, a certain set of Twins have been nothing but havoc on this house. I set them to chores in the basement where their damages would best be contained."
Sakura laughed, her eyes dancing to where Lost continued to bob innocently in the air. "You weren't doing that to poor Nightmare, were you?" she asked. "I didn't think asking you to tidy up while I was out would cause you to be so troublesome."
Lost looked thoroughly abashed, lantern drooping. "I didn't mean to be troublesome," he mumbled.
"Well, you were," Nightmare chastised curtly, nose in the air.
Lost's gaze flickered to his mistress, who watched him with sparkling green eyes that he loved more than life itself; deciding he best make it up to Nightmare for his misbehavior for Sakura's sake, the little spirit floated over to his fellow spirit and wrapped his small arms around the lightly-blue neck. "Sorry, Nightmare…"
Nightmare's stern expression melted into fondness for the imp. "It's alright, little one," he replied, ruffling Lost's soft-as-down blond hair. "Why don't you go down into the basement and gather Sorrow and Illness. I'm sure they are too caught up in whatever game they've created for themselves to have even realized Miss Sakura has returned."
Glad for something to do, Lost nodded, floating away with a friendly wave to Tomoyo and a second peck on the cheek for Sakura.
Sakura watched the little one disappear down the steps to the basement before turning back to Nightmare. "Thank you so much for doing all that you have done today. I don't know how I would have gotten this whole house cleaned if it wasn't for you."
"It's not a problem Miss Sakura," replied the blue spirit. "It is an honor to assist you in any way we can."
Tomoyo wandered out of the kitchen, taking in the further splendor of the rest of the house. She gasped as her eyes caught sight of the living room. "Oh, Sakura, you have to see this," she breathed.
The sorceress was quick to trot to her friend's side, peering into her living with abject awe written over her face. The once tame living room had been transformed into a shining, sparkling jewel of festivity, decorated beautifully with flowers, balloons, streamers, and a huge banner of pink and green hung from the ceiling with the words Welcome Home! painted on it.
Nightmare took to his mistress's side, looking hopeful. "I hope this is to your liking," he said softly.
"It's amazing," said Sakura. "It's so- well, it's breath-taking! I can't believe you all put this together while I was away!"
Tomoyo wandered in the living room, her fingertips reaching for the silken petals of the fragrant flowers arranged in brightly painted vases. A soft voice at the door halted her movement.
"Please resist disturbing those flowers," Pain whispered. His voice was as soft as ever. "Seduce spent much time arranging them and she would hate to see her work disturbed."
Tomoyo acquiesced to the request, drawing her fingers back.
Seeing that nothing else was disturbed in the room, the fearsome spirit padded towards his mistress, the claws that grew from his toes and heels clicking smartly on the floor as his cat-like copper eyes surveyed her coolly.
"I take it you approve of the decorations?" he asked. Up close, he was a towering spirit, easily taller than Syaoran, the effect enhanced by the three great horns growing from his head. He was a deep shade of orange-tan, not offset by the burst of wild orange hair that sprouted every which way from his head. He was garbed in a single item of clothing, a loose pair of autumn orange hakamas accompanied by his whip on his hip. Armor of an unidentifiable, polished metal layer his shoulders and forearms, cut specially so as to not inhibit the large, curved spikes that grew from his arms, shoulders, and down his spine.
Before the young emerald-eyed woman could reply, two streaks shot through the room like lightning- one lemon yellow, the other light lavender. Shrill shrieks of overjoyed laughter bubbled through the room, followed by a flash of wisp o' the willow blue light and Lost's giddy giggling. In a heap of frills and ribbons and tangled limbs, the Twins of Misery landed spectacularly before Sakura, clamoring for her attention. Their dresses were rumpled from frolicking in the basement, likewise for their pigtailed hair. Illness's luminous yellow eyes goggled at her mistress in awe as her sister swoon happily.
"I got them!" Lost announced triumphantly, swooping in to secure a hug from his mistress as a reward.
"Miss Sakura! Miss Sakura!" they cried joyously. "We painted the banner!" "And we hung the streamers!" "And blew up the balloons!" "And picked the flowers!" They hugged each other ecstatically, their large, wide eyes glazed with glee and insanity. "We hope you like it!"
Sakura fell to her knees with her arms open for the three of them. "I love it!" she cried, letting her arms be filled with excited, chattering spirits. Happy kisses rained across her cheeks and a tangle of stick-like arms fought their way around her. Poor Lost suffered his fate caught in between his mistress and the twins, his face pressed securely to her chest.
Nightmare gave a huff of annoyance, back to his usual fussing over his charges and his mistress. "Stop that you two. Give poor Miss Sakura room to breathe" he scolded lightly, plucking the Twins of Misery away. Lost, finally released, tumbled to the floor in a heap of green robes.
Tomoyo just looked at the spirit with a smile and said, "It's okay, Nightmare. Sakura can take all the love you guys can throw at her." Then she peered around, suddenly curious. Everyone was present in the living room except for- "Where's Fear and Seduce?"
Nightmare tapped his chin lightly, aura already searching for the elusive duo. "They're both outside in the back yard," he informed. "I believe decorating the backyard has been their duty ever since Seduce finished in here."
"Well then," said Sakura cheerfully as she stood back up, "let's go take a look."
Everyone proceeded to the sliding glass door that led into the back yard. Nightmare had to grab the Twins and guide them through the door since they insisted on floating crookedly through the house. Pain, who stood at an easy seven feet from the tip of his horns to the bottom of his clawed feet, had to retract his lengthy horns back into his skull to get himself through the doorway.
Just as the living room had been, the yard had been transformed into a paradise- a masterpiece of beauty and festivity. It was a haze of white and pink flowers, of green lanterns and carefully braided streamers. In the center of the amazing garden stood an ornate table covered by a white table-cloth decked out in the most extravagant pieces of silver-ware ever created. Everything, from the glasses to the plates to the utensils, was spotless. To top it all off, the center of the table was decorated with a massive bouquet of different kinds of beautiful flowers.
A delicate rustling brought the onlookers back to reality as they realized the objects of their search were in the corner of the yard, Seduce balanced precariously on Fear's head as he lifted her so she could hand one last lantern from a branch. Settling the delicate lantern on the branch, the stunningly beautiful spirit kissed it, lighting the lantern with a bright, warm glow.
Though Fear's head was completely covered by the long, trailing hem of his lover's kimono, rendering him blind, he stood steady, and when the signal came for him to lower her, he did so devotedly with careful precision.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" asked Seduce as she glided from her spot between Fear's golden horns, allowing the dragon to see once more.
Fear breathed a long, suffering sigh, staring up at the lighted tree, scrutinizing it. "I suppose," he replied, shrugging as much as a dragon could shrug. "I still say we should have went with the skull lanterns that had those enchanted snakes and spiders crawling through them."
Seduce rolled her fantastically scarlet eyes. "Those would frighten any poor dear that happened along," she chastised softly, petting Fear's snout soothingly. "Now is the time for fun and celebration, not scaring the wits out of humans."
"I'm The Fear Card, remember?" he grumped stubbornly, allowing his downy fur to be stroked. "Clow Reed created me to be fearsome, not some cutesy little lap dog hanging cutesy little lanterns from trees."
"Which is why I am quite glad Clow Reed created me the way I am, with more wit than you have fur," Seduce quipped lightly. "I think the lanterns I chose are beautiful."
Fear sighed, rolling his azure eyes. "Fine, fine, I'll admit they're beautiful," he said, as if it cost him a great deal to say it. Then he dipped his long neck so as to encompass his lover in a dragon-version of a hug. "But they're not a beautiful as you are." Being as arrogant as he was sometimes, Fear certainly knew how to make Seduce feel special. She hummed contentedly, enjoying her beastly company and bestowing a soft kiss to his soft lips.
Nightmare, irked by their public display of affections, quickly got their attentionS. "If you two don't mind-?" huffed the blue spirit.
They broke apart accordingly, Seduce sporting a perfect look of feigned innocence while her companion looked more than a little thwarted.
"Don't think I can't turn you inside out, blue-boy," threatened Fear, fangs glinting in the light.
Nightmare looked unimpressed. "Bring it on, GodzillaS," he challenged.
Much to both males' consternation, a sharp length of scarlet ribbon rose to their faces and slapped them until they reeled. "Don't be so outlandish, you two," Seduce warned icily. She turned her attentions to the newly arrived humans, gliding over to them gracefully. "Hello Miss Sakura, hello Miss Tomoyo. I'm glad to see you back home, I hope you like our decorations for tonight."
Both women just looked at one another and smiled wide.
"This place looks amazing," Sakura replied earnestly. "Everything looks so beautiful, it's like we're in a whole different home!" She then looked to all of them and bowed in thankfulness. "Thank you so much everyone for all your help. I appreciate everything you have all done. Thanks you so much, all of you!"
In the wake of her praise, the seven spirits beamed proudly.
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"Hey do you think we over did it on the whole dress code thing?" asked a nervous Syaoran as he loosened his collar on his dress shirt.
"Not at all," responded Eriol as they both stepped out of Syaoran's sports car. "I'm sure we both look fine." And he was very right. As they stepped out of the car, a couple of girls walking by couldn't help but swoon just a little. It was quite a sight to see, with Syaoran bedecked in a fine pair od black dress pants and an enchantingly green dress shirt to match, while Eriol sported the same dress pants but a midnight blue shirt to suit his own tastes.
"I don't know Hiiragizawa," said a suspicious Syaoran as they both walked up the steps toward Sakura's front door, "you've been wrong before and you've also lied to me a few times here and there, so…."
Eriol just smiled on of his sly smiles before he responded, "Syaoran don't be silly, I would never lie to you."
Syaoran snorted, rolling his eyes. "Oh, please, that's a lie right there," he rebuked.
As Eriol open his mouth to deny the accusation, the door opened revealing Sakura standing with a warm smile on her face. She wore a magnificent ankle-length dress of the blackest, purest silk suspended up on her shoulders by two thin black straps, the enticing expanse of her back exposed. Her eyes alighted on Syaoran and a soft smile curled her full lips. As always, her stunning beauty left him breathless.
It was by mere stroke of luck that Nightmare appeared in the doorway at Sakura's shoulder, moving to bow in welcome to his master and Eriol. Before the spirit could mutter welcomes, Eriol slipped passed sakura into the house, hooking an arm around Nightmare's.
"Come, Nightmare, show me to where everyone's hiding," the sorcerer said jovially. He threw an impish look over his shoulder. "Let's leave those two to get reacquainted."
Nightmare looked as if he were about to object, but by his wits alone he sensed that his masters would like a moment alone so he allowed himself to be steered away.
Syaoran offered one of his rare, genuine smiles before he stepped toward his love. His amber eyes were like liquid as they looked the supple woman up and down, from toes to curves, to those very luscious lips of hers. Giving into temptation, he leaned down to place a searingly delicious kiss upon his girlfriend's oh-so-sweet lips. "Hello Sakura."
Even his words trembled temptingly inside her as the sorceress reveled in their closeness, sliding her body in to fit against her warrior's. Immediately, their auras began to mingle, letting astral sparks fly between them. "Hello Syaoran."
He leaned his head on hers so that their noses brushed and their breath stirred the other's hair. "I've missed you," he whispered.
"But we just saw each other a week ago, when school ended," she replied, poking him lightly in the chest.
"I know," said Syaoran, "but it just feels like an eternity since I was able to hold you like this."
Sakura giggled a little before she said, "Well, you're holding me now."
He worshipped her beautiful eyes as they sparkled. "I know," he groaned in appreciation, his arms trapping her closer to himself.
She wriggled teasingly. "So, how does that make you feel?"
He smirked at her. "Like I'm in heaven." He then leaned in and gave her another sweet kiss which she returned whole heartedly.
As the pulled apart, a breathy laugh passed Sakura's lips. "We've already been to heaven," she reminded him.
"We were almost in heaven," Syaoran corrected. "But, if we had actually gone through those gates, I'd imagine heaven would a little like this," he laid a few more heartfelt kisses across her wanting lips.
"Sakura! Sakura!" Around the corner popped a little creature that looked very much like a plush toy. It was a dark gold color and had two little wings sprouting from the back. As Kero caught sight of of his mistress entwining herself to her lover, the guardian bristled. "Hey kid, you mind not eating her face when I'm around?" he barked.
"Kero!" yelled a frustrated Sakura, breaking away from the sweet succor of Syaoran's mouth. "Would you cut it out! That's no way to treat your master!"
Kero looked rebellious, ready to deny that the brat was his master, but the fcat was not something to be arruged, and his mistress's wrath was not something he wished to evok tonight. "Fine," he sighed at length. "I'm sorry."
Syaoran tipped his head thoughtfully, staring at the floating stuffed animal. "It's fine," he replied. "If you didn't greet me like that, I would feel something was missing from the night."
Kero huffed a laugh. "In that case…" he blew a big raspberry and zoomed off before he could be reprimanded.
Sakura stared after the little creature. "I'm so sorry-."
"Don't be," the warrior replied, wrapping an arm around her waist and guiding the both of them in. "That's how I know I'm home."
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Everyone was enjoying the party, which consisted of almost more than 50 people. Sakura decided that everyone was invited even the spirits of the cards themselves. Throughout the backyard and the house itself, they were lounging around here and there. Some eating and some drinking while talking to one another. They all seemed so happy. Nightmare and Pain were sitting inside the living room with a few of the other Sakura spirits watching as they both played a game of chess. Pain was of course winning, and Nightmare was by now yanking his own hairs out of his headS. Fear and Seduce were sitting by themselves in the backyard, obviously wanting to be alone as they cuddled closer and closer. Meanwhile Sorrow and Illness were flying about here and there, crashing into stuff or just completely making a ruckus. It was a good thing that Eriol erected a shield around the yard so that the neighbors wouldn't get suspicious. Lost was trying desperately to keep up with two drunk-like spirits.
The humans, meanwhile, were just enjoying each other's company as they all sat around the elegant table eating together for the first time in a long time. Fujitaka Kinomoto sat at the head of table talking to Sakura and Syaoran, who were sitting next to one another. Meanwhile Chiharu and Takashi were talking with Rika and Naoko, who sat across from them at the other end. In the middle of the table on the right side sat Eriol and Tomoyo. At the other end of the table sat Toya, opposite of Fujitaka, with his best friend Yukito to his right. Both Toya and Yukito had finally found permanent jobs and were now working full time as Holy Knights for the Order of the Sword. Toya served as the captain of the Holy Knights and Yukito was his second in command.
Ever since the incident 3 years ago involving the essence of Evil and the exposure of the Magical World to the rest of the planet, and its subsequent washing from mundanes' memories thanks to Life and Death's efforts, a new government was established to make sure that the same problem would never occur again. Its job was to watch over all those who possessed magical power and make sure that their secrets would never be exposed to the mundane world ever again.
This new government, known as The Order of the Sword, watched over the people of the Magical World and laid down laws for them to follow so everything would remain calm and organized. It was decided unanimously that Sakura and Syaoran would be crowned the High Summoner and Grand Sorcerer, meaning they would basically become the king and queen of this new government. They accepted their new positions happily, but requested that they be allowed to return home to live normal lives until they reached an old enough age so that they could take over. They both decided to appoint someone to watch over the government and its people. So they chose a powerful and yet kind sorcerer, Sanctus, as the Royal Advisor under the King and Queen. So while Sakura and Syaoran returned home to live their lives, Sanctus lead the Order of the Sword.
So now Toya and Yukito worked as one of Sanctus' Holy Knights. Though their jobs asked a lot from them, they always made time for their friends and family such as today.
The party was as lively as it could possibly get. Everyone was having a wonderful time whether they be spirit or human, they were all enjoying themselves with one another's company, especially Tomoyo's mother Sonomi Daidouji. Now you may think that she would actually be shocked to have learned about the existence of the magical world, for the second time, but when she learned that her very own daughter possessed powers herself, she became ecstatic. She could only hug her daughter tightly as she proclaimed how proud she was of her new found abilities, no matter how limited they wereS. In fact, she had become so thrilled about the news that she created a personal sorceress outfit just for Tomoyo.
Sonomi was even more excited when she learned that her daughter's boyfriend, Eriol, was a powerful sorcerer as well. It had been three years now and Sonomi had grown to love Eriol more and more since day one. She loved his charming personality and his humorous traits. The only thing that disappointed her was that he had not proposed yet. She had accepted him as her son-in-law a long time ago, in fact she had finished their wedding plans and the only thing that she was now waiting for was for the actual bride and groom.
And, on that note, Eriol suddenly stood up from his seat and cleared his throat to make an announcement. "Excuse me everyone, may I have your attention please. I would just like to say a couple of words before I present to you all something I'm sure you will enjoy."
Everyone, including all the spirits, stopped their activities and drifted in to listen.
"I would just like to thank the Kinomotos' for having us over for this amazing dinner party and reunion. It's truly been so long since we've all been able to get together like this, so to say thanks, I've prepared something for everyone to enjoy." And just as he finished, a loud boom exploded in the sky as a magnificent firework flashed a beautiful shade of blue high above them. Seconds later, the sky was awash with showers of sparkling rainbows, of magical explosions, and of delights that awed the onlookers.
Eriol kept his eyes on his own prize, sliding his way up behind Tomoyo and encircling his arms around her waist. He pretended not to notice Sonomi whip out a camera to begin recording them. "Do you like it?" the sorcerer murmured in the girl's earl as Tomoyo turned in his arms, her sparkling eyes meeting his.
"Oh Eriol," she said, "It's wonderful. You've really outdone yourself this time."
Eriol only smirked as he replied, "You haven't see the grand finale yet."
Tomoyo giggled. "Oh? And what might that be?"
Eriol's hands were firm and warm on her shoulders as they guided her to turn, looking up in to the sky now awash with exploding colors. "Just watch."
The air was suddenly a cacophony of whistles and explosions, gearing up for the proclaimed finale. Night became day as magical fireworks ate the darkness and replaced it with blazing rainbows of light. And as Tomoyo watched the show play, Eriol watched her. The light played off her skin in the most delightful, beautiful ways, making her seem ethereal, magical.
"Tomoyo-?"
"Yes?"
Eriol paused for a moment, gathering the words that lay on the tip of his tongue- the sentence he'd been practicing for a while now. "There's been something I've been meaning to ask you for a while now, but I just haven't worked up the courage to ask you till now..."
"What is it?" asked Tomoyo curiously as she tipped her head.
Suddenly the explosions stopped and a single large firework could be seen rising in the air. It continued to climb higher and higher into the night sky, racing up towards the heavens. It reached the peak of its climb and detonated in a beautiful display of purple sparks, but what caught everyone's attention were the words that were forming in mid-air where it exploded.
Everyone just gasped in pure awe. As Sakura pointed up into the sky as she yelled, "Oh my God! Tomoyo look!"
The young raven haired woman took her eyes of Eriol for moment and looked up into the sky, only to have tears begin to flow. There in brightly lit lavender letter, high in the sky above all of them were the words:
Tomoyo Daidouji,
Will You Marry Me?
She could only turn to her beloved boyfriend as he dropped down on one knee and from within his coat pulled out a black box. He opened it to reveal a magnificent silver ring with a magically colored lavender diamond in the shape of a flower sparkling before her. By now Sonomi was going insane with the camera, trying desperately to get the best possible angle.
"You're the most beautiful, wonderful, kind, loving person I have ever met and I can't see myself living out the rest of my life without you," Eriol said softly, pouring out his heart. "Please, Tomoyo, will you marry me?"
Tears nearly blinded her as she stared down into the midnight eyes she loved so much. They were staring back at her with a hopeful, nearly scared, light in them. She wanted nothing more than to wipe the fear right out of them. Falling to hr knees in front of him, she wrapped her arms around his neck and placed her lips against his, so when she spoke her words tickled his sensitive flesh.
"Yes, Eriol, I will marry you."
With a whoop of joy, Eriol was suddenly on his feet, swinging his new bride-to-be into the air to celebrate. Around them, the yard burst into applause and cheering, spirits lifting into the air and looping to and fro in a rainbow of celebratort delight.
Sonomi could only wipe her forehead and eyes as she silently whispered to herself, "Finally!"
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The full moon shone brightly over the town of Tomoeda as a young emerald eyed woman stared out her old bedroom window at the amazing night sky. There was not a cloud in the sky as the stars shone brightly high above them all.
Sakura sighed tiredly as she continued to stare out the window. By now everyone had gone home. Rika, Naoko, Chiharu and Takashi had all left as well as Eriol, Tomoyo, and Sonomi. All in all, the night had been wonderfully amazing. The young woman was suddenly stirred out of her thoughts as someone's voice echoed in the room.
"One heck of a party huh," Sakura turned around to find Syaoran leaning on the door frame, smiling at her. He closed the distance between them and put his arms around her. She gladly leaned into his chest and closed her eyes as she sighed into him.
"Yeah, it was one crazy night," she replied.
The young amber eyed man just leaned his head on top of hers as he said, "You know in all the excitement, I forgot to give you my present."
Sakura lifted her head from his chest as she looked at him curiously, "Hoe, what do you mean?"
He smiled down at her softly. "Well, I got you a present for all the times I wasn't able to be there for you. At first I didn't know what to get, but then I saw this and said it was perfect."
From his back he drew a large, square, velvet box. Slowly, he opened it and Sakura could only gape in awe at the sight that was held before her. Silver cherry blossoms gleamed breath-takingly from the bed of velvet they laid in, strung through on a fine chain of silver. Fine pink jewels dotted the blossoms like stars in the night sky.
Syaoran smiled as he said, "I take it you like it."
The young auburn haired woman couldn't speak; she was too stunned to do so. "Syao-Syaoran you shouldn't have…" she mumbled.
Smiling that rare smile of his, Syaoran only replied, "I'll take that as a yes then. You know it would look better if you put it on instead of stared at it."
She turned around and pulled her hair up as he carefully placed the necklace around her neckline and fastened it securely on the back. She turned back around and gently touched it.
Syaoran only stared at her as he whispered, "Beautiful…"
"It is, isn't it?" replied the young woman, enchanted by the treasure she now wore.
"Actually, I was talking about you," said Syaoran.
Sakura giggled, her eyes lifting to meet Syaoran's glowing amber orbs. They stood frozn in time for a while, silently conveying what they couldn't say in words, and then they leaned in to brush lips against the other's, falling into a kiss that left them breathless and tingling.
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Amongst the shifting, indefinable mists of Limbo, the atmosphere was quite a different story. A pressing silence encompassed the never ending place, a somber thrum shimmering through the veil of smoky, untouchable whiteness.
The presences of the essences of life and death in the sacred place were unwelcome. Limbo was a place for souls moving on to heaven or moving out to be reborn. Essences were, strictly speaking, not allowed to tread upon the land of neither-here-nor-there; they were soulless, insubstantial beings, created of concepts, not flesh and blood, no soul or mind- what right had they to come upon the mists that led to and from the gates of Heaven?
Death drifted through the fog of nothingness like an ominous creature, a poison in a place where no life or death should exist. He held no substance here, not without a body to cling to and solidify around. He was immune to feeling like this, barely catching at the wisps of consciousness that floated around him. With out a mouth, he could not convey actual words to his fellow essence, but somehow he managed to say something without saying it- Are you sure about this, Life?
The presence ahead of him paused. She was invisible like he was, incorporeal, but cutting a wide path through the mists nonetheless. Yes, we must.
If you say so…
Would you rather we be useless passersby as Evil comes to head again?
No, of course not.
Then we must go through with this. Zero's assistance will not be enough. They will need us- our assistance. They will us in physical forms.
Very well.
They approached the bridge that separated the blazing gates of heaven from the Limbo they intruded upon. In a storm of glistening wings and shining robes, an angel set down before the essences, a sword of blazing light brandished before them.
"You are not welcome here, Essences," the angel boomed.
We seek two souls within the gates. Life said, shrinking away from the impossible heat and light that exuded from the angel. Essences were vulnerable here, subject to the greater powers that ruled over heaven.
"They are done their time on the mortal plane," the angel replied, knowing exactly which two souls the beings sought. "You have no right to seek further connection with them- you have done enough damage."
You granted us a boon last time we intruded upon this place, Death pointed out, hoping for the same mercy again.
The angel was stern and unmoving. "If your memory fails you, we have granted you two boons, each with a separate visit. You violated the gates when you first came, stealing back the souls of the sorcerers- it was by God's good graces that he was sending them back that you did not suffer oblivion then. Your second boon was to allow you company with your former hosts when you sought physical bodies in order to seek out Zero." The angel said the name with disdain, his thoughts of the demon-dealing human obvious.
Grant us a third boon, then. Death persisted.
The angel paused, scrutinizing the pair of beings that were not really there. Normal sould passed by unconcernedly. The angel closed his eyes for a moment, as if seeking counsel from a higher power. And, upon receiving the answer he'd been seeking, he grudgingly took to the air. "Very well, His Grace has deemed a third boon acceptable. You are quite lucky he has bestowed favor upon you for some reason that not even I can fathom. Stay here and I will fetch those who you seek." He soared off into the gates without so much as a second glance.
Saint Michael can be a real demon sometimes, Life said, even if he is supposed to be an angel.
Be glad he saw it fit to at least listen to our request without casting us back to the mortal plane, Death replied.
It was not long before they saw the shimmering light of Saint Michael returning, his wings sending gentle ripples through the air and he glided effortlessly. He landed as gracefully as he did before, though this time without swinging his great blade at Life and Death. From beneath the protective curl of his large, encompassing wings, came two very familiar shapes, gentle forms coalescing into a pair of human souls. One female, wild looking with a cascade of flaxen hair falling down to the backs of her calves, grey eyes bright and wide, while her companion was male, tan of skin and dark of hair, whose eyes were liquid brown and unsmiling.
Saint Michael bowed to the pair of human souls. "I'll leave you to them," he said softly. "Should you wish at any time to be rid of their company, say so and I'll banish them."
Dren lifted a hand to the angel, dismissing the offer. "I'm sure there will be no need," he said. As the angel took off, the dead human's gaze turned hard as he regarded the essences. "I thought we had a deal?" he said, voice as cold and unforgiving as steel. "You were to leave us alone for forever more if we allowed you gainsay over our bodies once more to contact Zero. Why are you here again?"
The mist around Life and Death shifted gently, passing over them, but never touching them- as if it would be sullied by touching them. They were silent for a long while.
Something has happened… Life intoned, sounding unsure of herself.
Miaka looked intrigued, to say the least. "What's happened? What could possibly be so bad that you would break your promise to leave us be and make you come back here to seek us out?"
Death sighed. As you well know, events have now been put into motion-
"As they usually are when fate is allow to work without all-powerful beings being slipped into them mix," Dren pointed out rather icily. "Just get to the point and tell us why you are here."
Life appealed to Miaka's love for the Card Mistress, knowing that if she secured Miaka, Dren would not be far behind. Sanctus has gone further than we had expected. Sakura and Syaoran and all they hold dear are going to be in terrible danger soon. We need you to help us- we need physical bodies.
"Sakura's in danger?" Miaka squeaked, bouncing on her feet nervously. Her wide eyes looked to Dren for him to say something, but even as he opened his mouth to tell her to perish the thought he could already see her desire to help the sorceress welling. He could instantly feel his resolve breaking. No matter how much they had suffered at the hands of Life and Death, if Miaka wished for one thing, he'd be damned if he wasn't at her side as she did it.
"It's up to you," Dren sighed. "What ever you want, I'll go along with it."
Miaka bit her lip, staring at the empty space where she knew the essences were. If they made another contract, like the one they did last time, it didn't have to be permanent- they could have a time limit on it, and have fail safes in place… and Sakura was in danger…
With trembling fingers, Miaka reached out of the essence of life. "I want to help," she murmured quietly.
Good.
And suddenly power flowed into the souls; tremendous power, and knowledge, and all the old amenities that Miaka and Dren had known when they had served as Life and Death for so many millions of years. They savored the wild, breathless feeling of it, so familiar, so consuming, before the inevitable happened, the draining of their colors- the leaching of their hearts. Essences had no hearts, after all.
Dren made a disgusted noise as he watched his heart suddenly separate from himself, the ball of light chasing after Miaka's back into heaven where it would be held safe. The contract complete, he looked down at himself, and then suddenly felt the prickle of someone else's consciousness bubbling inside of him, rising up, taking over. Where Dren once stood, Death now was, carefully testing out his body, reveling in the feel of being real again.
Life gave a shriek of delight and launched herself on her companion. "We're alive again!" she cheered.
Death remained stoic as ever. "There's no time for celebrations," he warned darkly. "As you've said, Evil is back, and that means nothing good for Sakura and Syaoran."
Author's Note
So what did you guys think, I hope you really enjoyed reading this chapter especially Eriol's proposal which is why the chapter is called A Grand Proposal. Anyway please leave a review after you have finished reading because we all love reviews and it inspires both Hearts of Eternity and myself to continue writing.
Stick around because things are finally beginning to get started, stay tuned for an action packed third chapter of An Angel's Scream, A Devil's Cry
