In Love and War
Okay, CCS doesn't belong to me or the FFX ideas (I wish) so you can't sue me! LOL
By: Mistress Ness
Chapter 7: The Darker Prophecy in the Snow
Sakura stared at her target, narrowing her eyes. Chaos roared again and purple flames shot out of its mouth towards them. Everyone jumped out the way and the tents around them caught on fire. Tomoyo cried out. "Is that Chaos!?" Meiling nodded. "And it knows Sakura is here." She looked towards her friend, who was still looking at it.
Sakura heard a cry and turned around to see a small child crying in the middle of the flames. Chaos shrieked and hurled more flames at everything. She saw one going towards the kid. She quickly ran to the little girl and embraced her tight, protecting her with her body. Syaoran watched in horror as the fire hit them both. "Sakura!!" he shouted. The fire suddenly banished and there was Sakura, unharmed, with her huge wings spread and the child safely in her arms. Sakura said to the girl. "Quick! Get out of here!!" the little girl ran for her life and Sakura stood up, looking at her friends who were running towards her. "Are you OK?" Tomoyo asked.
"I'm fine." Sakura replied.
"It's gonna attack again!" Meiling shouted, pointing up to Chaos. Sakura followed her finger and saw that Chaos had the intent of attacking her and destroy the town. "Everyone, get ready to fight! Tomoyo and Eriol, go into the town and keep the people away from here!" Sakura cried. Tomoyo nodded and grabbed Eriol's hand. Eriol blushed but quickly nodded and followed Tomoyo into the mass of people. Meiling smirked as she got into a fighting stance. "I guess me and Syaoran are gonna join you, Sakura!" she said.
Sakura nodded and took the initiative. She swung her staff around, her aura glowing white. "From the highest in Cielo, I beseech you to aid me now!" she spoke strong and clear. "Come to me, Diamante!"
The sky became clear right above her and the clouds parted. Chaos shrieked and backed way from the light. Diamante came flying down and in a rush of feathers, he stood in front of Sakura, snarling at Chaos.
Meiling grinned. "That's my cue!" her staff began to glow red and she traced a circle around her with her staff. "Come forth to your master, Rex!" she shouted. At her command, flames shot up from the circle, hiding her in them. As quickly as it came, the fire wall died down, revealing Meiling again but with a tall, tanned man with a muscular, bare chest, messy red hair, and blood red eyes just like Meiling's. He stood barefoot with a golden cloth bedded with rubies covering his waist down to his ankles.
Syaoran took out his sword and got ready to protect both summoners.
"GO!" Sakura and Meiling shouted at the same time. Diamante and Rex charged towards Chaos, firing out spells. Chaos bellowed and suddenly, a light blue barrier formed around it, the spells that the guardians fired at it bounced off with ease. Sakura clenched her free hand into a fist and cursed. "Damn! It's made a shield! Diamante!" she said to the white wolf guardian. "Get out of the way, here I come!!"
Meiling shouted to Rex. "Move out of the way, Rex!"
Rex and Diamante quickly flew out of the way. Sakura began to gather energy and quickly said to Syaoran and Meiling. "Get behind me!"
Syaoran then knew what she going to do. He grabbed Meiling by the arm and dragged her behind him behind Sakura. "Stay behind me! She's going to use it!" he said. Meiling looked at him curiously. "Use what?"
Sakura felt her energy going to her staff. She pointed it at Chaos and screamed. "OMEGA WAVE!!"
The massive wave of light shot out of her staff and sped towards Chaos, causing a blinding flash of light when it collided with its shield. Meiling screamed and ducked behind Syaoran while he placed his arm over his eyes. Sakura closed her eyes, spread her wings to shield her friends and tried to send more energy into the wave she created. The light faded and they all opened their eyes. The shield protecting Chaos was gone, and Sakura saw a light blue gash on Chaos's shoulder and then knew she wounded it. Chaos screeched in pain and then fled in a swirl of purple flames. Sakura's wings shrank and disappeared, uncovering her friends behind her.
"Did you do it?" Meiling asked. Sakura shook her head. "No, it ran away." She turned to Syaoran. "Are you all right?" her emerald eyes reflected her concern. Syaoran had a small blush tint his cheeks and he turned his eyes away. "Yeah I'm fine." He said. Meiling started walking towards the inn. "Let's go back; Eriol and Tomoyo are probably back at the inn." Sakura and Syaoran nodded and followed her.
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Tomoyo and Eriol were back at the inn and Tomoyo rushed to Sakura, hugging her tight as soon as they saw the three of them walk in. "Oh God, are you OK, Sakura?" she asked in worry. Sakura chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, we're all fine."
Eriol stretched. "Well, we might as well call it a day; it's been long and trying day."
Before everyone started for their rooms, a woman, who was a bit injured from Chaos's attack, came running towards them. "Excuse me!" she panted. "Please!" she said to Sakura. "Are you a High Summoner?" Sakura nodded. "Yes, I'm Sakura."
The woman took her hands and fell to her knees. "Please, my lady, there were some of our people that died in the attack and we need you to send them to Cielo. I beg of you, I don't want my child to become a fiend!" Tears gathered at the corners of the woman's lavender eyes. Sakura felt the woman's anguish over her child's death and nodded. "Take me to them."
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As the morning sun began to rise over Phoenix's Blood, the people all gathered at the small beach not too far from the square, saying their goodbyes to those they lost. Several coffins lay near the sea all forming a circle which Sakura stood in its middle, her staff in hand. Syaoran, Meiling, Tomoyo and Eriol stood close to her and a bit distant from the people, waiting for Sakura to perform the sending ritual. Sobs and cries of sorrow filled the morning sky, putting a hard contrast between the mournful aura around the people and the glowing light of the cheery sun. Sakura looked over all the coffins laid out before her, seeing all shapes and sizes. A regular summoner could send only one person while a High Summoner could send several at the same time.
Sakura closed her eyes and sent her prayer to the keepers of Cielo. Please come for these poor souls that suffered a tragic fate, help them from becoming fearful fiends.
The orb of her staff began to glow and she extended her arms, silently asking the souls to come out of their cold bodies. Slowly, white lights emerged from all the coffins then took shape of those who passed away. The weeping grew as they all saw their dead beloved. Syaoran watched in awe as other souls came down from Cielo to come for the others. He saw the legendary angel, Nana, coming for a small group of children that died in the attack. He saw a young man descending to come for a young woman, an older woman coming for a woman and a child, and a couple coming for twin girls. It was nothing he had ever seen before. So many transparent beings being escorted by their loved ones who passed before them to paradise before their souls become bitter and trapped within the body of a fiend that preys on the living out of vile envy. Sakura kept her eyes closed and her energy focused as the last of the souls went peacefully to Cielo. When all the souls were finally collected, she opened her eyes and the orb finally stopped glowing. Her friends went up to her and Meiling patted her on the shoulder. "Are you all right?" she asked gently. Sakura nodded, biting her bottom lip. She didn't want to show them how the sending painfully reminded her of her father's passing. She suddenly felt woozy and collapsed to all fours. "Oh God, are you OK!?" Tomoyo cried. Syaoran reached out and swept Sakura off her feet into his strong arms then he looked at the rest of the gang. "Let's go back; I think the sending exhausted her."
"Yeah we gotta rest up for the next encounter with a guardian or Chaos." Meiling agreed as she picked up Sakura's staff. Sakura felt the sleepiness tugging at her eyelids and felt being washed away into sleep.
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Back at the inn, Syaoran carefully placed Sakura on the huge bed. He gently took off her boots and her cloak and placed them on top of a chair. He lifted her to place her head on a pillow. Meiling came in with a pink nightdress and said, "OK, get out for a sec. I'm going to take her clothes to be washed."
Syaoran nodded and stepped out while Meiling changed Sakura's clothes then pulled the covers up to her chin. She gathered the clothes and opened the door to her cousin in. "She'll be fine after a good rest," she smiled at him, "Goodnight, Syaoran." She walked out and closed the door. He quietly went over to the bed and took off his armor and cloak before sitting on the bed next to her. For a moment he studied her face. She was downright exhausted, it was clearly shown how deep she seemed to be sleeping. He had to give her credit; she was braver than he thought when he first saw her. She went through a lot yet she still goes on for something even riskier. She was remarkably brave and powerful with the grace of an angel. He snapped out of it when he heard her mumble something in her sleep on roll on her side, showing him one angel wing mark on her back. He curiously reached out and gently stroked the mark, making her stir a little. It was colored in white as if she had a tattoo done but it wasn't, according to her, she's had it as long as she could remember.
He pulled the covers up to her chin and watched as she sighed in content. Smiling, he took off his boots and cloak and lay next to her, needing sleeping as well.
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Nothing but snow surrounded her, the feeling of dread sinking itself into her skin. Sakura looked around for Syaoran but didn't see anything. Then, the scenery changed. Sakura saw herself lying in the snow with Syaoran holding her.
"Sakura! Wake up!" Syaoran cried, "Please wake up!!"
Trembling, Sakura neared him, and saw herself in his arms with her eyes wide open swimming in unshed tears and her skin as white as the snow. Tears ran down Syaoran's cheeks as he pleaded her to wake up. Sakura knelt in front of him and touched his hand, "Syaoran! I'm here! Can't you see me?" she said in terror. Her words were stopped by a sharp pain in her legs. She looked down and to her horror; ice was building up on her body, encasing it like Shiva did in her trial. Sakura began to panic and quickly cried out, "Fire!!"
But nothing happened. Gasping, Sakura looked at her hands in utter disbelief. "My powers!!" she cried out. The ice crawled up her hips, freezing to her spot. Sakura struggled to get free and cried out once more to the man she loves, "Syaoran! HELP ME!"
The ice quickly gathered around her chest and up her neck to her face. Sakura sobbed and breathed out, "Please don't leave me alone..." before the ice completely covered her into an icy tomb.
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With a loud gasp, Sakura's eyes flew open and sat up quickly, her heart thundering in chest. She looked down beside her to find Syaoran deep asleep beside her. She felt wet and wiped her forehead, feeling cold sweat. Shivering in fear, she quickly got up, found a towel and went to the bathroom for a hot bath. As she submerged into the warm water, she felt at peace, like the eye in a hurricane. She grabbed a sponge and some soap and started washing the dirt and sweat off her from the battle and her dream. She closed her eyes, trying to leash her emotions, keep them at bay, she washed herself. But she kept thinking of Syaoran and her dream. She was never really exposed to men in her life since all of them were twice her age, she was the daughter of the High Summoner so the soldiers didn't go near her out of respect for her father, and she never really thought of romance.
Until she met Syaoran.
She then recalled the nightmare she just had and felt cold dread make her shiver. Ever since I was a child I've had prophetic dreams but never like this, she thought uneasily as she washed her auburn locks. What does it mean? That somehow I'll die and never see Syaoran again?, the very thought of not seeing her beloved mercenary's face made her both sad and deeply afraid.She noticed a slight increase of strength in her feelings, yet she still had to fully decipher what they meant. But she knew she was just putting excuses from the truth: she loves Syaoran. She lay back on the tub and kept her eyes closed; only concentrating on the feeling of the warm water.
Syaoran stirred then finally woke up, rubbing his eyes. He looked to his side and gasped at finding Sakura missing. "Sakura!?" he cried out. He jumped out of bed, rushing to the door when he heard splashing noises in the bathroom. He gently opened the door without making noise. His breath was knocked out of his lungs as his eyes landed on the tub. There was Sakura, very naked, with her head back while lying in the tub. He saw the shape of her slender body through the soapy water and immediately felt himself grow hot at the splendid sight before him. He saw her chest rise and fall with each deep breath she took and saw the silhouette of her fully breasts, making him wonder how they would feel in his hands. Without thinking of the consequences, he made his way to her, drawn to her like a bee to honey.
Sakura heard soft footsteps and slowly opened her eyes to see Syaoran towering above her. "Syaoran!?" she squeaked, her hands quickly covered her breasts. The innocent move drove Syaoran over the edge, he had to taste her, feel her all around him and beneath him. He wanted to hear her beautiful voice cry out to him like a woman driven mad by desire and explore every inch of her creamy skin. He knelt by her like a mortal worshiping a goddess, grabbed her by the back of her neck, and pulled to him, his lips instantly claiming hers in fervor. Sakura was beet red all over but the thoughts of smacking him for peeing flew out of her mind like birds in a fine summer day. All thoughts and memories diminished into nothing more than just the feeling of his warm lips on hers, his masculine scent heating her blood. His tongue lightly teased her lips, begging for entrance. With a slight gasp, her mouth opened and he took his chance, his tongue intimately touching hers and exploring her mouth. The warm taste of cherries slammed into his senses hard, making him crave more of her intoxicating mouth. The hand at her neck moved up to lose itself in her wet tresses and pulled her even closer to him. She moaned into his mouth, her heart fluttering as fast as a hummingbird's wings, and circled her arms around him. If her dream becomes a reality and she would lose her life and never see Syaoran again, she would at least make their time together count. She now felt every second she was with him was the most precious to her. I won't run from my feelings anymore, she thought as she felt slowly losing herself in his magical embrace, I love this man and I intend to make every moment last as much as I can...
Syaoran still couldn't believe this moment was real as their mouths continued to taste each other's in undeniable passion. His control was snapping to a mere thread and all because of the woman he held in his arms. Dream or not, he would make the best of it. With a groan, he got up and lifted her out of the tub, burying his head into the crook of her neck, "Sakura..." muttered in between kisses. Sakura felt shivers of desire race down her spine and realized even though she was wet, naked, and out of the warm water, she wasn't cold. No, her body was fervent and hungry for his touch, all other thoughts of the world outside their room was lost in the wind. Without hesitating, Syaoran kicked open the bathroom door and with fluid steps, carried Sakura over to the bed while still kissing her senseless. He set her down on the satin sheets with great delicacy, as if she was the most precious thing to him. For a moment, he stopped and looked deep into her eyes, searching her soul. Sakura felt her heart in her throat as her saw her face reflected in his golden pools. Without taking his eyes off her, he hastily stripped of his shirt, carelessly tossing it aside and she couldn't stop staring at his chest. Sure, she had seen him a couple of time without a shirt, but the magnificent tone of his masculine built still surprised her every time. With a growl, he grabbed her shoulders and took her lips again, while slowly climbing the bed on top of her, towering over her. She whimpered as his teeth gently pulled at her lower lip and wrapped his strong arms around her small body. His mouth left her lips and teased the shell of her ear, nipping at it, his hot breath making her insides heat up and her stiff joints soften in response. "Syaoran," his name left her lips like a broken prayer, deep from within her heart. Hearing his name from her sweet voice made his once-icy heart melt with tenderness towards her yet his blood caught fire. "Sakura," he softly replied, his lips kissing their way her cheeks, her lips, her jaw, and down to the soft skin of her delicate throat. At the first contact of his mouth on her neck, Sakura gasped and arched her body against his, her naked breasts soft against his hard chest, while muttering her approval. He licked, nipped, and sucked up and down her throat, torturing her with his heat and his touch. Her skin was a mixture of silk, heat, and soap that threatened to drive him out his already-insane mind. She squired beneath him as she felt a pool of liquid fire gathering at the junction between her legs, throbbing with every breath she took. For him; beckoning to him to fill the void in her body, her heart, and her very soul.
"You taste good," he said against the soft skin, "like a ripe fruit in a fine summer day." His large hand cupped the full mound of a breast and her sudden gasp turned into a moan of pleasure and longing, twinning her fingers with his dark chocolate locks while he teased and stroked the pink buds until they were hard and throbbing for his attention. He wanted her, needed her. But a meddlesome thought crept its way into his consciousness. What brought her sudden change of heart?
Throwing ice water on him would have been an understatement. With perhaps the greatest amount of effort he ever saw in himself, he tore his mouth from her skin and breathed out his raging desire for her. She still lay there, beneath him; her cheeks flushed, her neck pick with his attentions, legs spread, and emerald green eyes that searched his for answers to his abrupt stop.
"Syaoran...?" her soft voice snapped his attention back to their situation. He let his head hang, not wanting to meet her eyes. He once again felt ashamed of himself. He started it and was taking advantage of her vulnerability again. Her sweet innocence was for the right man, and he wasn't the right man. He knew he no longer hated her but he doesn't know his feelings of tenderness towards her could be he atoning for his guilt or be actually love. Making sweet love to her would only make him even more a bastard than he felt already. What woman in her right mind would share the bed of the man who kidnapped her first then put her through seven hells, one which she was almost raped and another she almost died?
"No Sakura...," he said, his voice soft and strained, "It wouldn't be right."
Sakura felt her heart being crushed at hearing him speak those words.
It wouldn't be right.
The pain of the rejection and her fears from her dream quickly brought tears to her eyes but she steeled herself and held them back. In the beginning, he called her a child and if she cried now, he would still think her as a child. With a big gulp to hold back her shattering emotions, she nodded once and slid off him. She grabbed a clean robe sitting on top of the closet nearest the bed and slipped it on. Without a word, she looked at him and merely forced out a smile before turning away again, picked up her boots, and walked out of the room.
Syaoran sighed and looked down at his hands, still feeling the softness of her skin. "I'm such an idiot."
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Sakura knew she had no clothes but suspected Meiling took them like she used to be washed she like used to do back in Clow's camp. She walked down to the laundry room and bumped into one of the maids in charge. "Oh pardon me, miss!" the maid bowed nervously, "I didn't know anyone would be up at this time of evening. All the guests looked worn from this morning's events."
Forcing another smile, Sakura said, "Oh, it's no trouble at all. I was just wondering if my clothes were ready. My friend brought them here earlier."
The maid smiled, "Oh that girl with the red eyes?" Sakura nodded in response. "Yes, they're all clean and dry, follow me." the maid opened the laundry room and went in. A second later, she returned with her clothes in a neat pile. "Here you go." She smiled. With a nod and a 'thank you', she took her clothes and went to Meiling's room.
Meiling was reading the section about Trabia in the newspaper when a soft knock came to her door. She sighed and got up to answer it. "I thought I asked for no room service tonight," she opened the door and the comment died in her lips at seeing her High Summoner.
"Sakura? How are you feeling?" her friend asked in concern. Sakura once again forced herself to smile and said, "Can I have my things please? I'm going to the local shrine to purify my staff and card."
Meiling took her lie and smiled back, "OK, but be back soon, you hear?" she teased as she turned to fetch her things. Meiling handed her the pouch and her staff. Sakura took them and thanked her. "See you," she said softly as she walked away. Meiling stared after her. She's probably a bit stressed from this morning. Who wouldn't?, she thought as she closed the door. Sakura saw the inn's staff room and looking around for anyone, she went in and quickly got changed. She peeked through the door and once she saw the coast was clear, she stepped out of the room and headed downstairs to the lobby. A young man, the night clerk, smiled at her. "Ah good evening, miss. Is everything to your satisfaction?" he inquired. Sakura nodded and approached the desk. "Um," she said a bit shyly, "I'm actually checking out. Do you have paper and pen? I would like to leave my party a note."
The man nodded and fished out paper and a plume with the bottle of ink. "Here you go, miss," he winked at her. Sakura nodded, "Thank you."
Once she was finished, she went out to get some items for her lonesome journey, yet the owners gave her the items for free as their thanks for the sending. She then headed for the stables near the shops and was given a fine, black stallion as a gift as well. She stroked the animal's mane, "Hello," she said with a sad smile, "I guess it's going to be just the two of us, I hope we can be friends." The horse leaned into her hand with a soft 'neigh.'
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Syaoran looked out the window and saw the sun set, thinking of Sakura. It's been a while since she left, where did that girl go?, he thought. Then, someone was knocking at the door. "Sakura? Is that you?" he called out as he reached to open the door, just to find Tomoyo standing there, still in her costume.
"Oh, hello, Tomoyo." He greeted. Tomoyo bowed, "Hi, is Sakura awake yet?" she asked with worry, "I've been worried sick about her, is she all right?"
Syaoran shook his head, "She woke up, yes, but um," he tried to find a way to tell her without mentioning his incident with her, "she left some time ago. It's been some time since she left." He saw Tomoyo's lavender eyes widen with more worry. "We must find her! What if something happened to her!?" she turned away and began to race towards the stairwell, "Get Meiling and Eriol!," she shouted to Syaoran. He didn't hesitate and raced to the others' rooms.
"Sakura!" Tomoyo cried, reaching the lobby. She spotted the night clerk and went up to him to ask, "Excuse me, have you seen my friend? She's the summoner who did the sending this morning."
The young man nodded with a smile, "Ah, that lovely young lady? Yes, I did see her but she checked out of our inn," he replied, running a hand through his black hair. Tomoyo felt her breath leave her lungs in disbelief. "What!?" she gasped, covering her mouth with her hand in shock.
"What's the matter, Tomoyo!?"
She turned around to find Meiling, Eriol, and Syaoran approaching her. She ran into Meiling's arms, tears beginning to form in her eyes, "Sakura's gone!!" she exclaimed. "What!?" Syaoran, Eriol, and Meiling chorused. The night clerk spoke up again, "You must be her party."
In a fraction of a second, Meiling drew out her staff and pointed it at the young man; her ruby eyes flaring in undivided anger, "Where...DID SHE GO!?," she snarled at him, "TALK, YOU SCUM!"
The clerk broke into a cold sweat and said in a trembling voice, "I-I-I don't know! She only said she was checking out!" he quickly dug out a folded piece of paper and held it out to her, "Only thing she left was this note for you! I swear it!!"
Eriol took the note from the man's tremulous hands and unfolded it to read aloud,
"Dearest Tomoyo and Meiling:
I'm sorry I left without as much as a 'good-bye', it's very selfish of me and I realize that. Yet, I knew I had to do this...I must finish this quest alone. You two are the best friends someone like me can ever ask for, and that's the very reason I must part alone to finish gathering the remaining guardians and vanquish Chaos once and for all. Please don't be angry at me; you are like the sisters I never had and you both were there for me to keep me from being too depressed after my father's passing. And I will always appreciate it. To Eriol, I wish I could've known you better. And to Syaoran...take care of yourself, always use your abilities for protection, not destruction. To all of you, please don't come after me and try to find me. It is for the best. I hope we meet again. With love, Sakura."
Tomoyo felt her chest being squeezed tight by the painful tone of Sakura's words and the distress for her friend, "Oh, Sakura!" she wept. Even Meiling was tearing up. Syaoran balled his hands into fists, feeling a void in his own heart at her absence. Why did you leave?, he thought, What are you hiding within your heart, Sakura?
He couldn't imagine not going after her. Just thinking a life without Sakura made him cold and dead in his soul. He was fine by himself, going through life not needing anyone but himself. He survived.
Until Sakura came into his life.
"We must find her!" he cried. Meiling stared at him without a word. Could it be that he actually cares for Sakura? she thought. Tomoyo fiercely nodded in Meiling's arms, "Yes, please! I'm worried for her! She's powerful but Chaos is entirely different demon than we have ever encountered!" she said. Eriol nodded in agreement, "Tomoyo's right. We can't let her handle this alone," he spoke. Syaoran nodded and said, "Well, what are waiting for? Get your things and meet back here ASAP!"
Eriol and Tomoyo nodded and raced together to collect their things, leaving Meiling and Syaoran alone. "Syaoran," she spoke, "Why are you so determined to chase her? Is it atonement or...because you like her?"
Syaoran was taken back by her words and said nothing, not knowing how to answer her. Meiling got the picture and turned around to walk up to her room. She stopped midway and said to him, not looking at him, "I hope it's the second reason. Sakura may be strong but inside, she has a fragile heart. Just think about what I said, cousin." she walked off, leaving a wide-eyed Syaoran behind.
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Sakura brought her new horse, Night, to a halt and looked down from her position. From the tall hill leading away from the City of Fuego to the cave of Phoenix's Blood, she could see the inn where her friends were at...and Syaoran too. Her heart clenched in sorrow and despair and she forced herself to brush it aside. She had a mission to complete and getting depressed would not help her.
"I'm sorry everyone," she whispered. She motioned Night to move once more, and she galloped without any more hesitation to the sacred cave where Ifrit awaited, leaving a trail of tears in the cold wind. She was alone.
A/N
Sorry for the L-O-N-G delay, life has been a roller coaster for me this year as I finish my senior year in high school. I'm slowly but surely getting back on track, so expect a new chapter of Wild Blossom soon! I love you all!
Mistress Ness
