"Tomoyo… Do I have to dress up like this?"
Sakura turned around once, trying to examine her costume.
It was another one of Tomoyo's superb creations. The dress was dark rose pink
with red trimming. Over it was the same color cloak, with a hood, tied on with a
red ribbon. At least the bow was not so big as usual.
"See, it's too
stormy to have a big ribbon. And the cloak is made out of waterproof material,
and you can protect your head with the hood. The color matches with your staff.
See, even Kero-chan has a matching cloak. Ohhh! I'm so glad that I can do so
many hairstyles on you now!"
Sakura sighed as Tomoyo tied red ribbons around
the pigtails at each side of her head. Tomoyo was ecstatic with joy to be able
to plan the wardrobe, do her hair, and videotape once more.
"Is it here?" Tomoyo asked as they trudged
through the rain.
Ka-boom-boom-boom-bang. A streak of
lightening etched through the black sky.
"Hoe-e! It's
like a weather for ghosts!"
"Be brave, Card Captor Sakura! You are the only
one who can save the world from destruction! Sigh, I wish the storms not so bad.
It's hard to focus on you since its so blurry."
"At least you
have an umbrella," Kero said.
Oooooooooooooooooo.
"D-did you
hear that? A g-ghost!" Sakura screeched.
"No its not.
Its just the wind." Tomoyo assured.
"Hoe-e!
Ghost!"
Suddenly, two figures emerged from the darkness.
Sakura screamed, "Ahhhhh!" She hid behind Tomoyo.
A
girl also screamed. She clung on to another figure and said, "Syaoran! Save
me!"
"Sakura-chan. It's only Syaoran and Meirin. See?" Tomoyo
comforted.
"Hoe?" Sakura laughed sheepishly.
Meirin walked
up to her and said, "What are you doing here? Syaoran's going to take the new
card."
Kero said, "He can't even make one. Sakura's the only one
who can make new cards. She's the Sakura Card Mistress.
Another
glaring contest started. Just then, the rain started to pelt down harder and
more thunder rang out in unison. The girls shrieked.
"Syaorannn!
It's so cold," Meirin complained, shuddering as the rain splattered onto her
bare legs.
"I told you not to come. And I told you not to wear that
costume."
Both Syaoran and Meirin were dressed in their
Chinese battle outfits.
"You're wearing yours."
"Mine's
different. It's suitable and more comfortable."
Tomoyo
interrupted, "Wait. I have a spare cloak."
Meirin put on
the pink cloak and complained, "I look ridiculous. This cloak doesn't go with
Chinese fighting costume and I don't look good in this color."
Syaoran said
dryly, "Just be thankful you have something."
Tomoyo and
Sakura laughed. Tomoyo said, "Syaoran sounds like a mother."
"I do not!"
Syaoran retorted.
"Fine, an older brother or something."
Suddenly,
something whisked by them.
"W-what was that?" Sakura gasped.
"What was what?" Meirin asked.
"Yeah. I
didn't feel anything," Tomoyo added.
Syaoran said,
"That's because you two don't have any magic powers. I felt it. It's another
power."
Meirin scowled. She hated it when Syaoran pointed out her
weakness.
"Hoe-e! A ghost!"
"Calm down. It
can be anything. Concentrate more on which way it'll attack," Syaoran
said.
"Li-kun! Behind you!" Sakura exclaimed.
Syaoran drew
out his sword and slashed down. Something wailed and disappeared. Something else
whirled by. "Meirin!" He threw himself down with Meirin. They fell down to the
muddy ground, Syaoran on the bottom.
"Meirin,
Li-kun, are you okay?" Sakura asked.
Syaoran
groaned as he tried to get up. "Meirin, get off my back. Why are you so
heavy?"
Meirin got off and helped Syaoran up. Hmmph. At least
Syaoran and Sakura weren't calling each other by their names anymore. That last
time she visited Japan, she was shocked when Syaoran called Sakura by her name.
What's wrong with me? I like Sakura and count her as a friend. Still, the
bond between those two makes me jealous. One way or the other, they match with
each other. I am left out of it, which makes me jealous. It's strange how
sometimes, Syaoran acts really nice to her and other times, he completely
ignores her. Syaoran is a strange person, but I think most people can't help
liking him.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOooooo. Meirin covered her ears
with her hands. "Sakura, do something," she screeched.
"I can't face
a g-ghost!"
Syaoran said, "Get a grip. If it's sent by the enemy,
whoever it is, it isn't a ghost. Now go face it!"
"That brat is
right. I was trying to say it first. Let's try to capture this some time before
midnight!" Kero remarked.
Another wailing wind like figure swiped past
them, followed by many more. The wailing grew louder. "Ahhhh. Save me!" Sakura
cried, throwing out any card. "Light!" The whole place shone up and the spirits
wavered and moaned.
"Now, Sakura! Ghosts can't stand brightness!"
Kero said.
"Spirit of the dark forces. I, Sakura, command you. Return
to a new shape of contract! Sakura Card!"
The groaning
spirits whirled and the storm ceased and the clouds started to disappear.
Gradually, the moon appeared, shining brightly. Everyone sighed in
relief.
Tomoyo asked, "What card is that? It caused so much hassle,
and was captured so easily."
"The Haunt. What a scary card."
"Perfect to
use for the setting of a horror movie. You can star in it, Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo
exclaimed.
"No thank you, Tomoyo-chan. I can't handle ghost
stories."
"Then Syaoran? Do you…"
"No!"
Meirin then said, "Hmmph. Syaoran could have captured the
card! Its okay. He'll get the next time. See, he even caught the first
one!"
Syaoran shuffled his feet on the muddy ground, then looked
up at everyone. "Umm, Meirin? I want to clear up on this. We are no longer
rivals, if we ever were. It doesn't matter who gets the new cards. We have to
all work together to face the new evil; it is the only way to overcome our
enemies. Then we will be more powerful. I came to Japan, to help all that I can,
not for competition. I had a dream of what was to come, an unimaginable evil,
and I vowed I would return. They have origins deeper than any of us understand,
yet working together, we can prevent destruction."
Syaoran
paused. Meirin shifted around uncomfortably.
Sakura smiled,
"Thank you Li-kun. I am glad to know that you want to help. We will all need
it."
The way that Sakura gazed at him made Syaoran want to break
down and tell that he will always be there for her, that he would protect her no
matter what. But, no. I will not make myself a fool. Let her think that it is
for preventing destruction.
So,
instead he said nastily, "It's for the sake of my family. Not to help
you."
Sakura looked sad and broken. Why was he so nice, then so
mean? Syaoran winced at the hurt look written over Sakura's face. He hadn't
meant to sound so harsh. Abruptly he said, "Never mind. Let's go home now. I
think that the enemy had enough for today." He took off his hat and squeezed the
rain water out of it. Then, he tried to brush off the bits of mud on his robe.
Seeing him do that, they all realized that they were soaking wet and splattered
with mud.
Tomoyo sighed, "My beautiful costume is ruined! Not that I ever use it again, but I do like looking over them and remembering what happened."
Meirin looked away and handed the borrowed cloak back to Tomoyo. Syaoran stared at Meirin warily. Meirin retorted, "Oh all right. Thank you Tomoyo-chan for lending me the cloak. Even though it looks awful on me." Looking at Syaoran she said, "There, are you satisfied?"
"Brat." Kero muttered. Staring at Syaoran, he added. "Two brats. Sakura-chan, don't you dare leave me at that brat's house again!"
"Syaoran's not a brat!" Meirin argued.
"Well kid, you are a brat. And that Li kid is your cousin, so he is a brat, also."
Sakura was developing a headache and sighed, "Ummm, bye Meirin-chan, Li-kun… and Kero-chan, since you like their company so much."
"Hey! Don't you walk away and leave me here! No! Stop right now!"
Syaoran muttered, "Spoilt stuffed doll," as Meirin
and he walked back home.
Late
that night, Touya came to Sakura's bedroom.
Sakura quickly put her Card Book away and Kero
froze in the stuffed doll mode.
Touya angrily
asked, "Where were you all yesterday night?"
"W-what do you
mean, oniichan?"
"Don't play that you are innocent. I know more than you
think. What were you doing last night and as for a matter of fact, tonight as
well?"
"I-I was home…"
"No you
weren't. You sent your copy home. You were someplace else."
Sakura looked
down at her feet. "Please don't ask. I know what I am doing, and I have to do
it. I hope you understand oniichan, but I can't tell you, yet."
"I don't want
you doing anything dangerous. Why can't you trust me?"
"It's not that
I don't trust you! It's just… I'm not even sure about it myself. Oniichan, I'll
tell you if I could."
"You didn't even trust me about the Clow Cards
business. At least I figured it out myself. There's a new danger, isn't there?
Something related to mother."
Sakura
nodded.
"Just tell me if you need any help, kaijou. I am still your
older brother. Mother trusts me to protect you." Touya added darkly, "You seem
to trust that Li kid more than me. What is he doing back here, anyway?"
"Li-kun? It's just that he always knew about the whole
business. It involves him, whether he likes it or not. I trust you oniichan.
I'll tell you when there's real danger." Sakura smiled sadly and turned around.
She wasn't going to do anything of that sort.
"You better."
Touya turned around and sighed. He wished that his little sister wouldn't keep
to herself. She does trust that brat from Hong Kong more than me. I won't
forgive him for that. Plus, she still didn't tell him where she spent the
entire night that previous day. Or where she got that green sweater. Deep
inside, he knew that she had been with the Li kid. His powers, which had come
back stronger than ever since Yue lapsed back permanently to Yukito, felt it.
Yet, he wished that Sakura would admit it to him. It wasn't like that bratty kid
was special to her. Ah, but he was. Out of all people, I should know.
Also, the new, evil powers which flooded Tomoeda frightened him. New trouble was
stirring for his little sister and any person revolving around her
life.
* * * * * *
Syaoran mused as he wiped his sword clean with a
soft cloth. He held it up and could clearly see his reflection. Why did he have
a feeling that someone was veiling him from the truth?
Meirin came
in. "Syaoran, Wei says to have some tea. You were all soaked."
"Thanks
Meirin."
"Is anything bothering you?"
"No…" He
sighed. The whole world was bothering him.
"Why are you
nice to her but sometimes act like she doesn't exist? You don't call her by her
name anymore, do you? She doesn't call you by your name, either. It's always
Li-kun this, Li-kun that. What happened?"
"Eh? What are
you talking about?" Syaoran raised one eye from his sword.
"He he he… I
don't know..." Laughing nervously, she walked out. She didn't mean to say that,
but she just blurted out her conscience. Those two won't get anywhere if they
go on like that. If only Syaoran wasn't so stubborn. Wait a second. What in the
world am I thinking? That is my fiancee out there.
Syaoran sat at
his desk and fingered a green ribbon. What happened? Nothing. He smiled
ruefully. There was a time when he thought he liked Sakura. Syaoran slightly
cringed at this thought. Since Hong Kong, he had pushed it out of his mind.
Didn't Meirin know that things were different now? He had a clean slate now. He
was starting all over again. The old Li Syaoran, pride of his family, the most
talented and powerful Li of the generation was gone. He had learned to forget
everything and start as a new person. Which meant making over the
acquaintances. I am Li Syaoran, free to make my own choices; I'm
independent.
* * * * * *
Eron was soaked in sweat as he busily performed a spell. He through up two blank cards, then carefully took out two strands of hair from an envelope. One was short and chestnut brown, while the other was long and a mahogany, light brown color. Then he chanted, "Power of darkness, bind a part of them unto thy powers." Eron drew a veil over the two cards, which had formed an image of Syaoran and Sakura on them. "Blind their vision; blind them from the truth. Protect our legacy from being found. Let us be concealed. Let them not realize until it's too late. Power of darkness, VEIL!"
The veil wove itself over the card images of Sakura and Syaoran than settled down. Satisfied, Eron put the veiled cards away in a drawer. He had such a hard time getting those strands of hairs from Sakura and Syaoran. It was necessary to have them for the spell to work. He had gotten Sakura's hair, when he picked up her hat for her and a strand of hair was on it. Getting Syaoran's hair was a harder task. Luckily, Erika had picked one off his shirt, the other day.
Erika walked into the room. "They capture the
Haunt, also. This is harder than I thought. So, did you finish the
spell?"
"Yes. Now, we won't have to worry about Syaoran and Sakura
suspecting us to be their golden eyed enemy. Though it is so obvious, we, the
legendary twins… would only seem innocent. I have bound their hairs, a part of
them, unto a card, then veiled the cards, therefore their ability to suspect us
has been veiled."
"And they won't suspect us until it's too late."
Eron
stared into his crystal ball that viewed Sakura's long lashed emerald eyes. It
would be a tragedy to close them forever. Nadeshiko had those eyes.
* * * * * *
"You look like
a zombie today, Sakura-chan," Rika said.
"I am a
zombie." Sakura trudged to her desk. She couldn't sleep a wink that night
because she thought about Touya. She stepped on something.
"Ouch! Watch
out!" Syaoran exclaimed. He had been dozing on his desk.
Sakura
started, "Oh! I wasn't looking where I was going. I'm so sor—" Then she glanced
at who spoke. Syaoran. He was always so nice one moment, then suddenly so
mean. It was almost like when they first met. Yet, he had gotten so nice later
on as the time went by. Now… She didn't deserve it, when she counted Syaoran as
a friend. Glancing at the frowning boy, the 'bad Sakura' took over. "Watch out
yourself. You shouldn't stick your foot out like that. If you want to sleep, go
home. Don't snap at others who are as tired, themselves." Silently she added
because of you.
Syaoran bolted up. Other students stared at
Sakura. Suddenly, she felt embarrassed. What had possessed her? Tomoyo stared
with bulging eyes. Sakura never snapped or picked an argument with
someone.
Syaoran started to fume. He had a temper inherited from his
flighty father. Usually, he was calm, but there was that wild streak in him and
he bolted up, slamming his fists onto the desk. "Well, sorry 'Miss
Touchy.' I can't help not sleeping because I have important things to research
on. I am trying to find more about my father's past for you. Get it? For
you. Does it matter to me if I die? No, I don't care if I am killed by those
enemies who killed father. Yes, father was murdered, far from his family. Your
mother died blissfully with her family. Yet, I can't let them kill you. You know
only happiness with all your friends and family; you're full of life, while I
can put up with living in any sort of hell…" Realizing wehre he was he stopped
mid-track with everyone staring at him. He turned red. The sensei cleared his
throat and tried to speak and failed.
"Well, class
has begun, or so I thought." The sensei shot a significant look at Syaoran and
Sakura. "Ahh Kinomoto and Li, I would prefer it if you would carry out arguments
out of class, during break. And, please check on your vocabulary." He gazed at
Syaoran who turned even redder. What had possessed him? To shout at
Sakura like that. Plus, even while shouting, he had admitted that he was working
for her, wishing her to be happy… And he never, never argued like that.
Especially yelling out private stuff for the whole world to hear.
Sakura sank down to her desk, slightly trembling. Syaoran
shouted at her so fiercely. Yet meanwhile, she felt that he was saying something
significant. Was he doing all this for her happiness? It was so sad about
his father. Syaoran, why are you so vague? Sometimes I see you, the real you,
than you hide again. Why can't you show your inner self to me? I want you to
trust me, like you used to. Sakura's eyes blurred. She felt so depressed. No
one ever shouted at her like that. Yet, she started the argument herself. It was
her fault.
Guiltily, Tomoyo hid her mini video camera, a new present
from her mother. She really shouldn't have been video taping that scene, but it
was so intriguing. Never had she heard such an argument from them. Between
Syaoran and Sakura out of all people.
A big teardrop
plopped down on Sakura's textbook. Meirin snapped, "Now you've done it,
Syaoran!" Meirin glared at the regretful boy. What was the matter with her
cousin? Can't he do anything right? Why in the world did he shout
at Sakura? Stupid. Plain stupid.
Tomoyo
whispered, "Don't cry, Sakura. Li-kun didn't mean it."
"I'm not
crying." Sakura blinked back the tears. "Really, why should I cry?"
Even
Meirin added, "It's okay. My dear cousin, had some sort of temper,
descended all the way from his ancestors. I never knew he had a temper. He
doesn't know what he's babbling about. It is true that he stayed up all night
again. Understand him." Meirin glared reproachfully at Syaoran.
Syaoran was feeling more and more uncomfortable as he shuffled in his chair. One thing he couldn't stand was Sakura crying. Once a fool, always a fool. Yet why am I so stupid? Baka. He tried to clear his throat and placed his hand on Sakura's shoulder. She flinched but he kept it there. "Look, I'm sorry, all right? I-I didn't mean to shout. It's just that I didn't have any sleep for a week. I'm the touchy one and…" Sakura was still shaking, trying to stifle a sob. Man, I suck at this. "Look, I apologized, okay? I meant to just say that I am here to help you. I had no right to lose my temper. I usually don't but…" Syaoran tried to fumble for the right words, turning redder and redder. Sakura sniffed at Syaoran's feeble apology.
"You really want to help me? You're not just saying it to make me feel better?"
"Yes. Cheer up. Here. Take my handkerchief and blow your nose. I can't stand it when you sniff like that. It makes me feel like some big old bully."
Sakura laughed and took the handkerchief. Syaoran sighed in relief, as well as thinking, what am I doing? Tomoyo was secretly videotaped away at the "lover's quarrel" as she put it. It was just so adorable.
The sensei chuckled. Though the whole class was held up, it was certainly an interesting display of argument and apology. And what did those young things mean by babbling about enemies and protecting and helping each other? They were so serious. "Well, if you two have made up, may we continue with the 5 minutes left of this class?"
Erika asked Eron, "Did you send out that argument between them?"
"Of course not. They argued by themselves, surprisingly. I never knew that either of them possessed some sort of temper. Very interesting. Anyway, if I did sent out the argument , do you think I would have made a happy ending? No. It will be a bitter ending for them. Like Nadeshiko and her very first love."
As Syaoran passed by after class, Eron commented,
"I enjoyed your argument. I never realized you were so… passionate."
Blood turned cold, Syaoran paused, then walked away.
During PE class and they were all warming up and stretching. They began jogging around the field. "10 laps!" The sensei called. Most of the class groaned. Sakura was lost in her own thoughts as she fell into the rhythm of running. By the 6th lap, most of the students were left panting behind. As usual, Sakura was in the head. Then she noticed Syaoran was also. After he went back to Hong Kong, there had been hardly any competition in her grade level. She pumped up her speed and so did he. Sakura didn't notice that Eron was not there, or else, he would have been leading, as well. Meirin who was close behind thought, why are they going so fast? I can hardly keep up! It feels as if my feet are turning into stone. Just then Sakura stopped running, with her eyes large and surprised. "What's that?"
Meirin collided into her. "What's what?" Then she looked around. Aghast people were turning into stone, from their foot and up. Some were already statues. She gasped.
Suddenly, Syaoran cried out, "Meirin! You're feet!" Meirin could see that her feet were gradually turning into stone. Syaoran zapped lightening at it and the stone disappeared. They sighed in relief.
Tomoyo ran up to them. Luckily, she hadn't been affected yet. "What's happening?"
"People are all turning into stone! I'm not sure what's causing it," Sakura said.
"Look!" Syaoran exclaimed. They all turned to where he pointed. An old, gnarled man dressed in a grayish cloak was flinging sand at everyone, turning them into stone. He started to walk out of the school. Sakura got her staff and Syaoran drew out his sword. Tomoyo focused her videotape.
"Where did he go?" Sakura asked. They walked into the town. It was ghastly since people were all frozen into eerie statues. Meirin leaned nearer to Syaoran. Just then, Sakura cried out. Touya and Yukito were frozen into stone,
"Watch out!" Syaoran called. The Stone was walking hear them, ready to fling out the deadly sand. Sakura did a flip and dodged. Meirin wasn't so lucky and she shrieked. An instant later, a scared looking statue was formed.
"Meirin!" Syaoran looked aghast at his stone cousin. Furiously, he slashed at the gray man with his sword. The Stone flung some sand at him. Syaoran dodged but some powders landed on him. His feet turned hard. "Damn. Hurry! Catch it!"
Sakura was dismayed. Syaoran was turning into stone and she didn't know what to do. Tomoyo trembled in the corner out of the way and videotaping. It will be all right. I hope. Sakura said, "What am I supposed to do?"
"I trust you to do it well." Syaoran then completely froze into stone.
Noooo! He trusts me to save everyone. The Stone came to her and tried to fling the powder. Think quickly. All her friends, her brother, Yukito, Syaoran and innocent people were harmed because of her. Then she realized that the Stone's powers came from the powder that turned everyone into stone. No gnarled spirit will get the best of me. I must get rid of it. She struck out her staff. Another sand shower barely missed her. She cried out, "Watery!" Soon, the stone transformation powder dissolved away, mixing with water.
Tomoyo called, "Now, Sakura-chan! Show him your true powers."
"Spirit of the dark forces. I, Sakura, command you. Return to a new shape of contract! Sakura Card!"
The gnarled man contorted and twisted onto a new card. Everyone turned back into flesh again and continued off from where they left out. Meirin straightened from her position and asked, "Why are we here?"
Syaoran shook his head. "Long story. C'mon. We better get back to school or else we are dead." He started to head back, but as he passed Sakura he whispered in her ear, "Good job! I knew you could handle it."
Sakura stared at his back, smiling. She didn't know what dangers faced her in the future, but she was pretty sure that Syaoran would always be there to help her. Sure, there was a gap between them from that long year apart, still, they could work at being close friends again, like before he left when they were facing Eriol and the Clow Cards. His name, "Syaoran-kun" always sprang from her lips, but she managed to change it to "Li-kun" at the last moment. He doesn't even call me my name anymore. There was a time when he called me Sakura, when he did care for me…
Tomoyo said, "Hurry up Sakura-chan!" Sakura ran
after everyone. And I wait for that day.
Wish-chan: Finally I finished the other half of this
chapter. Sorry for any person that suddenly found this chapter midair. Odd,
isn't it? Do you get the spell that Eron put on S+S? It's to keep them from
suspecting that Eron and Erika are evil. After all, it is so obvious who the new
enemies are. What's with the quarreling? I think all stories should have some
sweet quarreling… Don't know what you think. I have many ideas for future
chapters (and they are better ones than the ones so far, it's just that I need
some sort of beginning. Beginnings are meant to be less fun, sometimes.) Yes.
All this junk was just the beginning. Did you notice that Sakura and Syaoran
aren't calling each other by their names, anymore? Why? It's because they aren't
sure of their friendship after a gap between them. Next chapter is about a
school camping trip… it will be out soon since it's half done. Watch out! More
sweetness, adventure, whatever junk.
Oh
yeah, I think I forgot to mention it, but any of you who want to put my fanfic
on your homepages (though I can't believe anyone wants it) please just e-mail me
at: hopeluvpeace@hotmail.com for permission and tell me your webpage address so
I can see it. Also, comments of any kind are welcome.
