Chapter 3
It was a warm summer's night and fireflies danced over a crystal lake. "It's a very nice night out." Sakura smiled as she looked up at the stars in the sky. "the moon looks so beautiful tonight." She & Syaoran were sitting at the lake after their first real date together. Now they were sitting on a park bench, stargazing together.
"It does." Syaoran agreed, grasping her hand. "But," he smiled gently, "It doesn't compare to how beautiful you are." Sakura's cheeks turned a shade of pink & she smiled. Syaoran was the first guy to ever give her a complement like that. As a matter of fact, the first guy she ever dated at all. She remembered the times where they used to be rivals, competing for Clow Cards & for them to finally be at this point was amazing to her. She didn't want it end. She then rested her head on Syaoran's chest & closed her eyes. After a few minutes, Syaoran, nervously pushed Sakura back a bit & looked directly into her eyes. Sakura knew what was coming & she didn't stop him. Their faces moved closer to each other & their eyes closed. Their lips started to move closer until they were centimeters away. Sakura then felt his touch suddenly fade away & she fell onto the bench. All around her was complete darkness.
"Syaoran-kun?" she called out loud. "Syaoran-kun where'd you go?" she then turned behind her to see a cemetery & a funeral. Her face turned pale. She noticed Meilin bawling by the tombstone & Sakura slowly walked up to her.
"Meilin-chan?" Sakura spoke as she started to touch her shoulder. Meilin stood from the ground, tears in her eyes & ran past her, apparently not noticing that she was there. Sakura looked down at the tombstone & looked at it in horror as she whispered Syaoran's name inscribed on it. Sakura dropped to her knees, her body trembling.
"Syaoran-kun…."she whispered. She tightly closed her eyes as the tears flow down her cheeks. "SYAORAN-KUN!" She screamed in anguish.
"Hey, Sakura!" an Osakan accent yelled. Sakura continued to call Syaoran's name. "Sakura, what's the matter?" he yelled in concern. Sakura opened her eyes to see Kero floating in front of her.
"Kero-chan!" she yelled in surprise, her body still trembling. Kero looked at her sympathetically. "You had another dream didn't you?" Sakura started to sob. "There, there." he replied rubbing her back. "Hey if it makes you feel any better, these cookies Tomoyo made taste great!" He held one out to her, but she refused. She really didn't feel like eating at the moment. Kero was discouraged. He didn't like seeing Sakura this way. Suddenly, his face lit up with an idea in mind. Kero snickered as he flew towards her armpit.
"I gotcha now!" he yelled as he started to tickle her. Sakura tried to keep a straight face, but she could no longer hold in her laughter.
"Kero-chan, quit it!" she yelled through her laughs. "I really don't feel like playing right now!" She grabbed him by his tail & dropped him in her handbag, zipping it shut(leaving an air hole of course).
"Hey, no fair!" Kero's muffled voice yelled through the bag.
"Hmph. Serves you right for catching me off guard like that." Sakura replied as she turned to face the window. The train slowed to a stop as they approached the next station. Sakura would now have to switch to the next train.
"Wow, 3 hours have passed already?" Kero muffled through the bag.
"Yeah." Sakura nodded as she stood to her feet. "& only 2 more to go." The conductor stepped off the train & let the stepping stool down for her. He then took her hand & helped her off.
"Thank you very much." she smiled in return. She then took her luggage & proceeded to the indoor lobby. Her next train wasn't for another 10 minutes, so she decided to sit and rest for a bit. She then took out a pen & some paper & started to doodle a picture of a sun. When she finished, she then stared at it for a bit, lost in thought…
"Hey, Sakura-chan, heads up!" Yukito yelled as the volleyball came her way. She then raised her head & started to run.
"I got it!" she replied running towards the ball. She gave it a good smack & it flew high into the air. Yukito smiled. "Great shot!" he called over to her as it came down on his side. He then smacked it back to her side of the net.
"Yeah, not bad for a monster." her brother smirked. At that moment, the ball smacked against his head & sent him crashing face first into the sand. He then lifted his sand covered face off the ground & looked up to see a glaring Sakura.
"Dinner everyone!" Mr. Kinomoto called from the grill. Syaoran was also helping by setting the picnic table. Sakura ran over to help, by setting out the condiments. In no time, everyone was sitting at the table eating the delicious kabobs & grilled corn that Mr. Kinomoto made. Sakura savored every bite.
"Dad, you make the best kabobs in all of Japan." Sakura smiled as she happily ate her meal. Her dad smiled back.
"Well, I'm glad you like them." her dad replied. He then got everyone's attention. "What do you guys say we come back here next year? You can even bring Tomoyo-chan next time, Sakura-san." Sakura cheerfully nodded. "Yeah!"
"As long as the kid stays home next time, I'm good." Touya shrugged.
"Brother!" Sakura glared at him. Touya ignored her & continued to eat. She then gave a sigh. She couldn't believe that they had to leave the next day. It had been such a great week, but now it was time to go home & look forward to next year. She was getting excited already. She couldn't wait! After a while, Sakura's father stood up.
"Well, I think we should hit the sack. We have a long drive home ahead of us tomorrow." he said, stretching his arms. "Good night everyone."
"Good night dad!" Sakura called.
"ALL ABOARD!" a voice called from outside. Sakura quickly looked up to see the train slowly starting to depart. She looked down at her watch & noticed that the train was leaving a bit early. She didn't hear the conductor call for the last passengers or anything! She quickly grabbed up her bags & started to run for the train.
"Wait!" she called as the train started to go faster. She ran as fast as she could & reached the door. She then reached for the metal bar on the side of the train & as she did, she saw a hand reach out to her. She looked up & saw blonde haired, hazel eyed boy reaching out for her hand. She reached up & grabbed his hand, but he lost his balance & fell, sending both rolling onto the pavement.
"Hey what's goin' on out there?" Kero yelled from the bag.
"Al!" a voice yelled from the train door. The two looked up and saw another blonde haired boy. He then jumped from the train and tumbled onto the ground himself. "Brother!" the hazel eyed boy called out to him. Sakura stood & came to their aid.
"Are you guys alright?" she asked as she helped them to their feet.
"Al, what's the matter with you?" the shorter blonde boy yelled. "you could have been killed, you know that?"
"But she needed help getting on the train & it was leaving her &…" the boy then lowered his eyes. "I'm sorry, brother..."
"Please, don't blame him!" Sakura started in his defense. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have run for the train. I do apologize!" The golden eyed boy sighed. "It's alright...I guess we'll just have to wait for the next train."
"I suppose so." the hazel eyed boy agreed. He then looked at Sakura. "You were on the way to the next town as well weren't you?"
"Yes," she replied. "But I wasn't paying attention & I got left behind." she blushed in embarrassment. "Well," the golden eyed boy smiled. "I guess we'll be waiting together."
"O-ok." Sakura replied. Suddenly, a riot started to spark on the inside of the station. The three then turned to see a crowd of people standing by the ticket area, appearing be very angry. The kids ran to the door to see what was going on.
"Please! I ask that everyone stay calm!" the woman at the ticket booth responded to the shouts coming at her. "Stay calm!" a man yelled. "How can we stay calm when there's a 4 hour delay for the next train?" The woman then sighed. "Please sir, I already explained that there was slight mishap with the train. Another train will be coming within the next few hours. I ask that you all please be patient."
"But I don't have time to wait!" a woman replied anxiously, "I have to get to the next town for a meeting in two hours!"
"I am very sorry, mam. We are doing what we can." the woman replied. The crowd standing at the booth all started to shout & yell once more. Sakura and the two boys then walked back to the boarding area. "I have to meet my grandpa in a few hours." Sakura said worriedly. "I hope that the next train gets here soon."
"Don't worry," the hazel eyed boy smiled. "I'm sure the next train will get here in time."
"Actually," the golden eyed boy replied, "while we were on last train I saw a bus station a few miles back. We could walk there and catch a bus to the next town." He then eyed Sakura. "Is that ok with you? Miss…."
"Sakura!" she bowed. "Sakura Kinomoto. And I really don't want to be a burden on you! I couldn't possibly intrude!" The taller boy then smiled."You're not being a burden at all! We offered for you to come, so it's not a problem! Right, brother?"
"Yeah, it's fine." the shorter boy replied.
"Well...ok. As long as its ok with you two." Sakura replied. "By the way, what are your names?"
"I'm Ed Elric," the shorter boy replied. "And I'm Al Elric." The taller boy bowed. "It's a pleasure to meet you Sakura-san."
"So are you guys ready?" Ed asked as he started to walk. "Good! " he said with out letting them speak. "Lets go then." Sakura started to lift up her suitcases when a hand took one of the handles. She looked up in surprise to see Al taking one of them. "Please! I-I can carry it!" she stammered embarrassedly. "I've already been enough trouble by tagging along with you guys." Al smiled kindly & didn't say a word. Sakura smiled with gratitude. "Thank you..." As Al started to walk further up, Kero popped his head out of the bag.
"Kero-chan, it's only just a little while longer," Sakura whispered. "We'll be there soon." Kero stared at the boys suspiciously & Sakura noticed. "Is something wrong?"
"I sense a strange power from these two." Kero replied. "It's not like magic, but something else." Sakura then looked at them curiously. "What do you think it is, Kero-chan?"
"I don't know." he replied once more. "But I think you'd better be careful around them." Sakura was puzzled. They didn't seem like they had something to hide. Maybe Kero was being a bit too suspicious of them too soon.
"Hey, are you coming?" Ed called out to her. Sakura then ran to catch up to them. "Yes!" she replied running towards them. She was really happy that she may have made some new friends, but at the same time, she was wondering what Kero meant by a "strange power". She figured maybe time would tell but for now, she was just glad that she had some company to travel along with her.