Chapter 4: Memories and an Old Acquaintance

Disclaimer: I don't own CCS.

It was the Age of Gold…it was the Time of Darkness…

There were only three occasions that Touya was ill in his life. The period after his mother died, the time when he gave his powers to Yue and the last time Sakura tried to make sushi. How could someone not cook raw fish properly he had no idea. So it was an annoyance to him when after several painkillers, he still could not get rid of the throbbing headache he had for a few days now. Propping his chin up on his hands, he rubbed his temple with two fingers firmly. He was currently trying to listen to a lecture on Business Management, which he would surely be tested on soon. What the hell? He slammed the heel of his palm into his forehead.

"To-ya?"

He felt Yukito's warm hand on his shoulder. Even that was not enough to stop him feeling like his skull was splitting open. Heat enveloped his head, and he knew his eyes were becoming red.

"I'm fine."

He shook off Yukito's hand and focused on the laptop in front of him. He placed his slim fingers on the keys to begin typing. The letters and numbers blurred around the edges. He squinted. Now all he was seeing were circles of light. He looked at his hands - still circles. He drew in a deep, calming breath as he closed his eyes. He reopened them and turned to Yukito. He could not even tell if his friend was looking at him. All he saw were circles. It was as if someone had turned on a bright light and blinded him.

"Yuki…"

Touya reached out towards him. The next he knew, he was leaning heavily on Yukito, who said they were going to the school nurse. Touya scolded him the best he could in his present state. He could count the number of times he had been to any school nurse on account of himself. Zero. He was quite capable of dealing with his own illnesses. His lips curled slightly as he remembered a day when he was younger. It was just him and his young mother. She had fallen and damaged a bonsai that his father had recently bought on a whim for the house. She was sad about it, and he quietly went for bandages and dressed the broken tree.

His mother stared at him with a sort of reverence and when he finished, she clapped. She hugged him from the back and kissed him on the cheek.

"My dear son has healing hands." She brought her lips close to his ear as they both watched the mended tree together. "I hope you take care of your sister, just like you took care of this tree."

Touya gazed at his mother with big, dark eyes.

"But Okaa-san, I don't have a sister."

Nadeshiko smiled. Her eyes glittered knowingly.

"Oh but you will have a sister… very soon. You will love her and take care of her, won't you Touya-chan?"

"I don't want a sister," he replied forcefully. "All the other boys at school say their sisters are monsters!"

Nadeshiko's mouth formed a perfect O.

"But Sakura-chan is not going to be like that because she will show you the same love you show her."

"Sakura…"

Little Touya thought about what his mother said.

"So will you protect your sister for me?" Nadeshiko asked in a soft, sweet voice.

Touya wrinkled his nose in distaste. "Fine, I'll take care of the little kaiju."

His mother laughed gaily. Touya was secretly pleased at the thought of having a little sister. He could hardly wait to have a sibling to play with at home and maybe even tell her about all the ghosts he saw. Despite the bad stories his friends told, there were some good ones too. Okaa-san, Otou-san, Sakura and him, together forever. That would be very cool.

Yukito was relieved that Touya did not completely collapse before they made it to the infirmary. He definitely would not have been able to carry him there on his own. He was very worried for this was a first. He taking care of Touya. It felt good to be of some help for once though. It was starting to seem like his other half was the only useful part of him.

"I believe Kinomoto-san had a migraine," said the nurse walking up to an unconscious Touya. She was a mature woman, with a patch of gray hair on the right side of her head. She lay a hand across his forehead. "And he has a temperature. He would have to remain here for the rest of the day."

Yukito smiled. "He's not going to like that."

The nurse chortled. "Well then he is going to hate that I am mandating that he be sent home for a while. I have seen too many students push themselves to the point where they end up in hospitals!"

Yukito shook his head. Poor Sakura-san.

"So Alexander commanded that they come to Babylon and build a bath house of gold for him there…"

A small group of Seijou high school students were gathered around Yamazaki. Needless to say, Sakura and Syaoran were the two people closest to him hanging on his every word. Chiharu's fist trembled irritably. A vein pulsed dangerously in her head. She could stand it no longer. Her fingers clutched Yamazaki's neck and she shook him hard.

"Stop telling lies!"

"But it's not a lie," said Toshi. "El Dorado really was in India. It's a big misconception that it was in the Amazon."

The group's attention turned on the quiet boy. Surely Toshi was telling the truth; it was Toshi after all. Chiharu was slightly confused. Yamazaki jumped for joy at his new close, personal friend. Never had he made such a connection with someone since elementary school.

"Exactly, Masanori-kun!"

"I take it you've read all of Yasuo's Theories?"

"I also have his DVDs," said a thrilled Yamazaki as if this was a big accomplishment.

They grinned at one another. Everyone else blinked, bewildered at what was going on. It was almost difficult to tell them apart at the moment; their expressions were so alike. They began to recount another tale and everyone except Syaoran fell victim to their storytelling allure once again. Anything to do with Toshi annoyed him. He had the entire school fooled but not him. No one could be so nice… other than Sakura, of course. He took off towards the back of the main building. Just when he thought things could not possibly get any worse after being in the same area as Toshi, he heard, "You've always been the epitome of isolation, my cute little descendant."

Syaoran groaned inwardly. He raised his eyes to a nearby tree. Eriol, fully dressed in the blue pants, white shirt, and blue jacket of Seijou, landed at his feet deftly. Syaoran found he had traded one hell for another. Eriol was smiling at him as though the expression on Syaoran's face was the most welcoming one he had ever seen.

"What brings you to Tomoeda?"

"The same as you," bit out Syaoran with some suspicion.

"Yes, well it does have beautiful weather around this time of year."

Syaoran glared at his distant relative. Eriol grinned.

"Last time I was here, you and Sakura-san were on better terms. What happened?"

Syaoran spun on his heels and stalked off. Eriol congratulated himself on a job well done. Same old Syaoran. The only differences between him now and the past Syaoran were that his school pants were longer and he was several inches taller. No wonder he grieved Yelan's heart. The woman had cause to worry especially since his behaviour was her own blunder. She knew less about parenting than he did - and she had five children. Eriol was just about to return to his spot in the tree when someone appeared behind him.

"Are you lost?" Toshi asked with concern. "My first day here was a little disconcerting."

Eriol smiled warmly.

"I happen to have a great sense of direction..." He waited for the boy's name.

"I am Masanori Hitoshi, Hiiragizawa Eriol."

Eriol narrowed his eyes.

"So it is you," remarked Toshi. "Yamazaki-kun thought he saw you but unfortunately he had to go to his lunchtime football meeting, so I'm playing detective."

Eriol inclined his head understandingly.

"It is a pleasure to have finally met you in person."

Toshi smiled and walked away. Eriol watched him go silently.

Fujitaka entered his son's room with Sakura following behind. He had a bowl of steaming soup and some pills on a tray. Yukito was sitting on the end of the bed trying to console Touya's bruised pride at having to be waited on. Fujitaka placed a hand on Touya's forehead but it was quickly brushed away.

"I'm fine, Otou-san."

Fujitaka acted as though he did not hear Touya. He was upset and concerned like any other parent would be whose child was sick, but in a weird way his son's illness reminded him that he was human - no matter how perfect and indestructible he could sometimes seem. Touya sat up on his bed.

"I'll take that downstairs," he said gesturing to the soup.

"No you can't!" exclaimed a scandalized Sakura. "If you're ill you should stay in bed."

"I'm not ill, kaiju. I just have a headache."

"Because you're ill, I'll let the 'kaiju' remark go just this once," she said through gritted teeth as she grinded her heel into the ground.

Sakura smiled sweetly at her older brother who was looking more and more nauseous by her deliberate show of kindness. Fujitaka forced the tray with the soup onto Touya's lap.

"Here let me help you."

Yukito picked up the chopsticks from the tray and held some noodles up for Touya to eat. Touya glared at him as Sakura sniggered. He snatched the chopsticks from Yukito.

"My hands are fine."

He ate the noodles with stiff movements as everyone stared at him fixedly. Fujitaka wore a pleased and satisfied expression on his face and appeared to be nodding to himself. Sakura was gawking at him as though she had never seen anyone feed themselves before and Yukito was practically on the edge of the bed ready to jump to his aid.

"Enough! I have to ask you all to leave. That is, unless you think I'm going to choke to death!"

Fujitaka, understanding Touya's need to suffer alone drew Sakura out of the room with him. Touya stared at Yukito.

"…me…too…?" asked Yukito with downcast eyes.

Touya sighed exasperatedly. He brought the chopsticks once more to his lips. Suddenly, the room spun and his head grew light. Yukito supported him as he collapsed.

"Are you alright To-ya?"

Touya's eyes were erratic as they whirled around his room. Yukito placed the tray of soup on a nearby desk and pushed Touya down on the bed to calm him. He placed his weight on Touya's chest to prevent him from getting up. Touya covered his eyes with his hands as he squeezed them shut.

"What's wrong?"

Touya blinked.

"I think I…never mind..."

"What's happening Kero-chan?"

Sakura folded her arms. He had eaten all of her bribes and yet no matter how much she asked, Kero just was not telling her what the force she captured was. He was playing a new videogame without any regard for her.

"Kero-chan!" she whined. "KERO-CHAN!"

Kero's hands slipped on the control and his animated car crashed on the TV set. He frowned to himself.

"Sakura-chan, I almost won!"

"If you take me seriously I won't have to bother you…!"

"But I told you I'd be finished soon!"

"Yeah, half an hour ago!"

Sakura plopped down on her bed dejectedly.

"Why do you always do this?" she asked, her voice small.

Kero felt awful. He was taking advantage of Sakura's leniency as his Mistress.

"I'm not sure myself Sakura-chan."

"What? You're not sure why you always ignore me about important stuff?"

Kero shook his head in shame.

"No I'm not sure what's going on."

"But aren't you good at sensing things and knowing what they are…"

Kero flew over to her. "All I know is there is some form of magic in the air. It's faint but very established at the same time."

"But I don't feel anything," she said perplexed.

"If you meditate, eventually you will." Kero flew higher in her room. "Lie on your back, I will teach you how."

Sakura followed his instructions and soon she was motionless on her bed, her hands relaxed at her sides. Her breathing was getting steadier and slower. Her mind was clear, she could hear nothing. She vaguely was aware of Kero's presence. She was standing in darkness. Suddenly, lights of every shade emerged and immersed her in warmth. They danced around her and a sweet ethereal music enveloped her now highly receptive senses. She herself was alit with light - that of her star. Now she was fully aware of Kero and all the natural magic in the area kissed her and her spirit soared. She smelled flowers and the beautiful scent of the earth after rainfall with a whiff of sandalwood.

She felt a small difference though. An inexplicable power of some sort. However, all the other magic was obscuring it from her. She bent her mind towards it. There! Sakura fell onto her bed. It took her a moment to realise she had been floating. She sighed happily.

"It was wonderful."

Kero gazed at her affectionately.

"Yes… It was Clow-sama's favourite place… or state of mind…"

Sakura closed her eyes. Bell chimes rang out and Sakura reached for her phone.

"Moshi Moshi Tomoyo-chan. What? Where? I'll be there soon!"

Sakura hung up and opened her window fully before summoning The Mirror. She was soon staring back at a replica of herself.

"What's wrong?" asked Kero.

Foot on the windowsill, she said, "Tomoyo heard on the news that there were sightings of monsters in a nearby neighbourhood. It's probably another force. Mirror you know what you have to do."

"Fly!" called Sakura.

She and Kero took to the air. He was riding lazily on her shoulder. She rose high into the sky.

"Isn't that the Li kid?"

He could make out the figure of Syaoran leaping across the rooftops. She flew down beside him as he continued to search for the force. Catching sight of them he signalled to follow him to a nearby park.

"Did you feel anything?"

"No," said Sakura. "Tomoyo-chan told me."

"I just had a sense that something was wrong. Then I saw the news."

A screech of tires was heard as a black minivan pulled into the park. Syaoran and Sakura ran out of its way. Tomoyo jumped out of the passenger seat and headed towards them.

"Sakura-chan, I cannot believe you were going to capture a force without a costume!"

It was then Sakura noticed that Syaoran had on his traditional green battle outfit. Tomoyo pushed her into the minivan with an eccentric laugh and when Sakura emerged, she was wearing a black balloon dress, white leggings and black ankle boots. Her hands were covered in short white gloves.

"Oh I almost forgot!"

Tomoyo tied a black bow with pink diamonds around Kero's neck.

"Yes! Who's the hot Guardian now? Not Yue…"

Sakura shook her head in amazement at Kero's self-obsession. Just then, a bat flew viciously past Kero's head.

"Waah!"

"And you call yourself a Guardian," Syaoran scoffed.

"What did you say brat?" Kero flew into Syaoran's face.

"I said, 'and you call…'"

"HOE!"

Sakura was cowering behind Tomoyo's back. The bat was hovering while looking at them. It's eyes were glowing red. Slowly it began to change. Syaoran watched it closely. It's limbs elongated and it began to resemble a… No way.

"VAMPIRE!"

Syaoran wiped out his sword. Sakura's eyes widened incredulously.

"You can't kill it with that! You need garlic!"

"Think S- Kinomoto. It's one of those forces. Feel the aura."

Sakura closed her eyes. She felt its sinister quality but still...

"You go check it and make sure."

"It's not real!"

"If it's not real then how can we see it?"

Syaoran sighed with an air of annoyance.

"Look-"

"Ahem."

Tomoyo pointed in the direction of the vampire. It was becoming more and more transparent by the second. Before they knew it, it disappeared completely. Sakura came out cautiously from behind Tomoyo.

"What happened? Where did it go?" asked Sakura hysterically.

Syaoran was asking those same questions in his mind.

"We should go look for it."

"Are you crazy?"

"It may hurt someone if it isn't sealed!"

"I thought it wasn't real. How can something not real hurt someone!"

"You are being a coward."

"I-"

"Perhaps it only comes out at a certain time," stated Kero loudly. The small group of teenagers looked at him. "I do not feel it's presence the slightest. For now let's all go home."

"I didn't even get a chance to videotape Sakura-chan in action…" Tomoyo sighed sadly.

"There's always me!"

Kero flew frantically around a still distraught Tomoyo's head. Sakura laughed awkwardly. The corners of Syaoran's mouth twitched as he watched a scene he had once become accustomed to. His eyes observed Sakura's bright face from beneath his dark eyebrows. Syaoran swiftly averted his gaze as Sakura's green eyes met his amber ones. How odd it was that he was content to simply be near her even though they were not exactly on speaking terms. The moon was giving great light tonight; if only it would give him confidence for things that did not involve magic.

A/N:

Hey Tomodachi, there's the long-awaited chapter. I would like to apologize for the long wait. I was without internet for a long time. However I got it back today and posted this immediately. The next chapter may be up by next week. I just have to do some more editing. So show your appreciation, you've read now review please. Tell me what you like and dislike so I can write better. All questions welcome. Hope you enjoyed. Until next time, Ja ne!