Lilover131: Hey everyone! Sorry for the wait! Things should progress a little more in this chapter, but there's going to be a lot of dialogue. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura or its characters. Please support CLAMP by buying their work and merchandise!

Heart of Gold-Chapter Three: Never Alone

Akane had suddenly asked for their help, and the three looked to her for answers. It seemed as if she knew something about the events of the past few days, but to say the world was at stake…it carried a daunting similarity to when Sakura first began collecting the Clow cards.

"The world…is in danger…?"

Sakura didn't like the sound of this already, and Syaoran's brows furrowed his seriousness. The blonde girl nodded, biting her bottom lip. She appeared quite distressed, and it was hard to deny that she was genuine in her feelings.

"I'm not entirely sure where to start…or if you'll even believe me…"

Syaoran sighed.

"We won't know until you tell us…"

Akane nodded in agreement and took a sip of tea to calm her nerves before she continued.

"Do you know of Amaterasu-Omikami?"

The three had certainly not expected that to be the start of her explanation. Tomoyo chimed in first, her head tilted in fascination.

"The Sun Goddess Amaterasu?"

Akane nodded again.

"In Shinto mythology, Amaterasu was born of the left eye of Izanagi-no-Mikoto, one of the great deities who created the main islands of Japan. He cleansed himself after narrowly escaping the land of Yomi, the world of the undead, and from that, many deities were born, including Amaterasu, Goddess of the Sun, and her two brothers, Tsukuyomi, God of the Moon, and Susanoo, God of Storm and Sea"

The girl paused for a moment to make sure the others were in understanding before she continued.

"There is a story that speaks of Amaterasu and the rocky relationship with her younger brother Susanoo. They were rivals in a way. Susanoo was always trying to challenge his sister, and eventually Izanagi sent him out of the heavens to the land of Yomi. The god went to Amaterasu to bid her goodbye and in order to show his sincerity, one last challenge was made. From Susanoo's sword, Amaterasu birthed three women, and from Amaterasu's necklace, Susanoo birthed five women"

Tomoyo nodded, appearing to be familiar with the story.

"I've heard this before. Amaterasu claimed that she won because Susanoo's sword had given birth to women while her necklace had given birth to men"

Sakura also knew this story, but Syaoran did not seem as confident.

"I haven't heard of this before"

Tomoyo gave a gentle smile to Syaoran.

"I doubt you would know much, seeing as you're from Hong Kong. Shinto is a system of beliefs specific to Japan"

The boy didn't disagree with her.

"I understand the basics of it. There are millions of gods that live among us in nature and even in people"

Akane affirmed this statement and carried on.

"Well, Susanoo was infuriated with his sister's declaration of victory, and in retaliation, he destroyed her rice fields and killed one of her attendants when he threw a flayed pony into her room"

Sakura blinked and laughed nervously.

"Sounds like he had a temper…"

"Amaterasu was so upset that she hid inside of a cave, causing the world to be shrouded in darkness. However, she was eventually persuaded out through hearing laughter at the show going on outside, a string of glittering jewels, and a mirror that stunned Amaterasu when she saw her own beauty. The light of the sun returned to the world, and she pledged to never hide away again. Susanoo, after having been banished and wishing to make amends with his sister, offered her a sword he had retrieved from the neck of the snake beast, Orochi"

The three listened, unsure of where this lesson in mythology was heading.

"The mirror, the jewel, and the sword became what are now known at the Imperial Regalia of Japan, a symbol of the royal family and the descendants of Amaterasu"

"What does this story have to do with the strange things going on? Are you saying it's related to the gods?"

Syaoran asked, and Akane looked him directly in the eye.

"Yes…"

Sakura looked both concerned and intimidated. The blonde smiled at her, then at the others.

"I believe you can help"

They waited in anticipation.

"I need to collect these three items, no matter what"

The three seemed confused by this statement, and they weren't entirely sure how to respond. Tomoyo spoke up after a moment.

"The Imperial Regalia? The items have only ever been seen by members of the royal family and very few priests. It's also rumored that those protected in the shrines are replicas…"

Akane nodded, not disregarding this as truth.

"Yes. The items Japan knows of are replicas, but the real things still exist"

Their eyes widened in surprise.

"The items have long been known as sacred items to legitimize and bless the Emperor's rule, but there is a tale that the real items were lost long ago when the grandmother of Emperor Antoku, fled with the young Emperor and took the treasures with them. They drowned themselves to avoid capture, and it was said that the treasures may have been lost in the sea. The story says that the Yasakani no Magatama, the jewel, and the Yata no Kagami, the mirror, were the only two to be recovered. The Sword of Kusanagi was lost forever"

Sakura tilted her head, still confused.

"So the treasures protected in the shrines really are replicas?"

Akane nodded, but Syaoran didn't seem satisfied quite yet.

"Why do you need these treasures, and what does this have anything to do with what has been happening?"

The blonde knew this question would eventually come along.

"I apologize for not getting straight to the point, but I thought if I told you a little bit of the history, it might help you to better understand why. You see, I am a servant of Amaterasu…and she is in danger. The three treasures have an immense power, and if they fall into the wrong hands…"

Syaoran frowned, and Sakura and Tomoyo seemed concerned.

"Someone is trying to find these treasures…? For what purpose?"

Sakura asked, growing increasingly nervous of the answer. Akane had already said before that the world was in danger, but she didn't know what to expect at all when gods and ancient treasures were involved. Akane lifted her red eyes to them, her face deathly serious.

"A god by the name of Amatsu-Mikaboshi. He wishes to find the treasures and with them…destroy Amaterasu"

Syaoran seemed to understand the consequences of such an act, though Tomoyo and Sakura didn't quite understand.

"If the Goddess of the Sun were destroyed…that means…"

"The world would be shrouded in eternal darkness. There would be a major imbalance in the celestial plane"

Sakura gulped, looking to Syaoran, who appeared absolutely horrified. She wasn't sure exactly what would happen, but Kero had spoken to her many times about the importance of balance in dark and light. If the light was gone…she could only imagine it was ten times worse than when Eriol had blotted out the sun and moon in her final trial to change the Clow Cards.

"So…if we collect these treasures, we can protect Amaterasu and the world?"

Akane nodded.

"Yes, but I won't lie and say it won't be dangerous. You could lose your lives and will likely encounter those with powers similar to that of a god. Amatsu-Mikaboshi has followers…"

Sakura looked to the others for guidance, and Syaoran looked to Akane with narrowed amber eyes.

"How do we know you're really who you say you are? What's to say you're not actually the one who wants these treasures to bring about darkness?"

He wasn't sure if they could trust Akane, and with all that was told to them, he simply couldn't risk his life without asking this. The blonde's eyes averted to the ground, staring into her tea.

"I have no way to prove it…you would have to trust me. I know I'm asking for a lot, but please know that I am telling the truth"

Sakura watched her carefully as she spoke and rested a comforting hand over Akane's.

"I believe you…and I will help you"

The girl seemed incredibly surprised, and her eyes rose from the teacup, staring back widely at Sakura.

"Really? You'll help me?"

Sakura nodded, and Syaoran gave a slight sigh. It wasn't often that she read a person wrong, so if she trusted her, he would as well.

"Then, I'll help too…"

Tomoyo smiled at them and gave a little nod.

"I may not have any magic, but I will do whatever I can to help as well"

Akane seemed incredibly relieved and took Sakura's hands into her own after placing her teacup down on the table.

"Thank you so much! All of you…"

Sakura and Tomoyo both smiled sweetly at her, while Syaoran's face seemed to soften in expression. Truth be told, he was nervous about all of this. He knew it wasn't in Sakura's nature to turn down someone asking for help, but this was something perhaps out of their league. They knew how to deal with Clow Cards, but Gods?

Tomoyo looked down at her watch and sighed a bit.

"It's starting to get close to dinner time. I should hurry home before mother starts to worry"

Sakura nodded in agreement.

"That's true. I have dinner duty tonight, so I should get home too"

The two stood up from the couch and thanked Syaoran for his hospitality and also politely said goodbye to Akane. Syaoran followed the two outside the apartment and waved to Tomoyo as she walked off in the direction of her home. She lived close by, so there was no need to call for the car. Sakura was about to walk back herself, but Syaoran stopped her short.

"Wait…I'll walk you home"

"Are you sure? It's a bit of a walk for you to go all the way to my house and back"

Syaoran nodded, his eyes holding a determination.

"Yes. I want to walk you home no matter what"

Sakura cheeks were tinted pink, and she nodded back in quiet acceptance before the two began walking.

"Syaoran-kun…it was nice of you to offer Akane-san a place to stay"

The boy acted as if it were no big deal, but he couldn't conceal the small blush on his face.

"Well, I can better keep an eye on her this way. I'm not entirely sure I trust her yet, and I have the space, so it's not inconvenient"

Sakura smiled warmly.

"I think it's nice. You won't be alone now"

His blush was at full force now, and he tucked his hands in his pockets bashfully.

"It's no big deal…I don't mind being by myself"

Sakura giggled, and the two had an innocent conversation until they came about Tsukimine Shrine. Just as was reported, the large cherry blossom tree was back to its original state, but something still didn't feel quite right. Syaoran's eyes narrowed and glanced all around them as he kept close to his love.

"Sakura…do you feel that?"

She nodded and gasped as a figure seemed to be standing on the road before them. When did they get there? She hadn't seen anyone walking around. The two looked at what seemed to be the back of a white parasol, and delicate hands lifted it up to reveal what was underneath. A young girl, maybe not much older than them, wearing a white dress with long flowing sleeves like a kimono and a short skirt with ruffles at the edges. She wore a deep red sash around her waist, and white high heeled shoes with straps at the ankles. Her black hair was in a messy bun over her head, her bangs only slightly covering her icy blue eyes. The girl smiled at them almost innocently, but Sakura and Syaoran could sense an ominous energy coming from her.

"Who are you?"

Syaoran asked in a demanding tone, keeping slightly in front of Sakura in case there were any sudden movements. The girl tilted her head and blinked, as if he had said something quite foreign.

"You really don't know anything, do you? This should be fun"

Her hands began to spin the parasol, and it seemed to spin so fast that it became a blur of white. Wind swirled in all directions and easily picked the two sorcerers up off their feet, causing them to shout in surprise. The girl giggled in amusement before dropping them back onto the ground with a rather uncomfortable thud. She stepped closer to them, wind still surrounding her like a tornado.

"My name is Shinatobe. But you can call me Shina. I am the goddess of wind. Die for me will you?"

~CHAPTER END~

Lilover131: Uh oh! It's another cliffhanger! Hang in there, and I'll update as soon as I can! As always, thanks for reading, and look forward to the next installment!