Chapter 8
The Last Dream
"Let me out, Let Me Out... LET ME OUT!" That was all I could hear but I could see nothing. The urgency in the voice evident as the pitch increased each time. For a second I thought I recognized the voice but as soon as the familiarity of it hit me, the sound started to move farther and farther away.
"Sakura, wake up! SAKURA!"
I could feel someone shake my body and with a start I opened my eyes.
"What is it Kero?" I asked, rubbing my eyes while trying to orient myself as quickly as possible from my sleepy state.
"You were screaming... I was worried, are you okay?"
"Me? Screaming?" I tried recalling my dream but I could no longer remember it.
'It looked like you were having a nightmare so I came to wake you, I could hear you from my room" Kero told me, eyes staring carefully at me as if waiting for something to happen.
"I see... yes, you are right, it must have been a nightmare. What time is it?"
"It's 4 am, everyone is sleeping..." Kero answered, yawning.
"This late... I wonder how long I've been out for..." I said while trying to think of the last training, knowing that was my last memory.
"You were out for more than a full day" Syaoran said as he entered the room.
"What are you doing here brat? Sakura doesn't need you, she has me!" Kero said with jealousy in his voice. I knew he was having a harder time than usual with the both of us spending more time together since we moved to China. I had to admit I had not spent as much time with my guardians these days and I knew that had to be fixed soon.
"I heard the screams... Sakura, are you okay?"
"Yes, I am okay, a bit tired still. I am sorry for waking you up, to tell you the truth I don't even remember the dream anymore"
"You used a lot of magic the other day, don't worry about it. Here, let me help you, I bet you are hungry"
Syaoran reached for me and helped me out of bed. At first I declined his help thinking it silly that I would need it when I could walk by myself but as soon as I tried to stand up, I felt my limbs fail me.
"Eriol told me what you did. Using that card for long periods of time can really hurt your body. You should feel good as new in a day or two, I promise." He then held me in his arms once more under Kero's angry gaze.
"I am watching you brat" Kero warned. I really had hoped their relationship would have improved by now but I came to understand that it may take a miracle for that to happen.
Syaoran said nothing to further instigate a fight and took me down the stairs to the kitchen where he sat me down while he busied himself reheating a pot with soup, toasting a slice of bread and serving me a glass of water. He even found some cookies hidden in the pantry and poured a glass of milk for Kero who appeared more forgiving after the friendly gesture.
"Has anything happened... since I've been out?" I asked, fearful I had missed something important due to my own weakness.
"Not much. Ryu and Jeong are helping to strengthen our defenses and have added protection charms to the mansion. No news of Yuna D. Kaito yet."
"I wonder if Akiho knows what is happening" I felt sadness thinking of her, I really liked her but the whole situation was beyond me.
"I don't think she does, I really could not sense any magic from her... it's just confusing to think what relationship he has with her... if he is using her in some way for his own motives"
I gasped, even though the idea had crossed my mind before, hearing it aloud made it the more real. I definitely needed to do something, not only for me but for my friend. I had been in China for just over two months now and so much had happened since then.
"We will save her Syaoran, we have to"
"We will" he agreed. He offered me a smile while I finished eating, already feeling as if I was slowly regaining my strength.
Unable to go back to sleep I stayed up. Kero had gone back to bed claiming he was very tired, apparently he had stayed up late practicing playing a videogame so he could finally show Spinel "who was the best" at it.
Syaoran had taken me back to my room and I had tried - albeit slowly - to take a bath, get dressed and to start my day on my own. I refused to sleep the day away despite feeling tired so I opted to meditate instead knowing my body could not take any more physical pressure. My training had been more or less put on hold since Eriol's arrival focusing fully in my magic instead of anything else so the meditation was indeed a wise option at this point.
As I was trying to relax my body and continued to think of what spirit I needed for the battle ahead I sensed him. I couldn't help but smile at the presence of my friend.
"I was meaning to look for you today Yue" I told him, knowing he was just behind me. How strange I could not feel him in Eriol's memory but here it was as easy as breathing.
"Mistress, are you okay?" Yue asked me while approaching a bit more, closer to my side but still a distance away.
"Are you worried about me?"
I saw him blush from my peripheral vision. I knew I was making him uncomfortable but this conversation was long overdue so I pressed on.
"I am happy... that you worry about me and I am sorry for worrying you" I apologized, turning my body to face him, his face showing surprise, a very rare sight indeed. In truth I was nervous too.
"Worrying is my duty" He shrugged, trying to look uninterested, but I knew better. I smiled.
"You have grown since we came here" He told me, as serious as ever.
"Change is necessary and unavoidable. I know I am still a child, yet the only thing I can think about is my wish to become stronger.. to protect all of you. I am sorry I failed to protect the Sakura Cards, to think they are lonely and weak..."
"I am sure they miss you too, they must know you will return to them no matter what"
"Are you trying to reassure me Yue?" I laughed a bit, loving how my guardian was finally showing his heart.
"Mistress... you can share your worries with me if you would like. I can sense your emotions" I felt guilty again. My emotions had been all over the place for a while now. I had hoped this has not been hurting Kero or Yue in any way.
"What about you Yue? I am sorry I have not been around..."
"I am fine" He said simply.
"Come here" I asked. He complied and sat in front me when I gestured for him to do so, confusion could be seen in his face. I moved behind him and removed the laces binding his hair slowly. I knew he was surprised and curious but he let me do as I pleased.
"I saw him again you know" I told him. He nodded, probably already knowing I had seen the memory from Eriol. I combed my fingers through his silver locks undoing the knots carefully while we spoke.
"What did he do?" Yue asked, interested in my story.
"It was a beautiful day, Kero and you were there by his side. It was the day he created The Flower" I continued my task as I spoke "I didn't know you liked flowers"
"I don't"
"I saw you pick up a beautiful plum blossom"
"Ahh... Clow's favorite tree"
I continued my task as carefully as I could, enjoying this rare opportunity to be with my guardian. We didn't say anything more, the silence suiting us until I spoke again.
"I am done. Yue, come to me if you are ever lonely, don't forget you are important to me"
Yue stood up to leave not looking back at me as I said this but I could see a slight nod acknowledging my words. I had enjoyed this moment very much knowing full well our relationship needed work. He left shortly after leaving me behind in that room with one more thought in my mind. I had to help Yue recover his body. I needed to talk with Yelan about it, perhaps she knew a way... once all of this was over.
My strength returned slowly as the day passed. Everyone looked for me throughout the day to make sure I was doing well. Even Meiling stopped by complaining to everyone that they did not help me out enough, making Syaoran feel guilty for leaving my side if even for a second. I had tried to reassure her I was fine and did not need help but she would not hear it. Consequently, she appointed herself as my helper and decided to stay by my side all day and night until she was satisfied I had fully recovered.
I was sure she was exaggerating but that night while taking a bath I paid more attention to my body. Looking at the mirror I couldn't help but notice I looked horrible. I had lost a lot of weight and despite the long hours of sleep I had dark bags under my eyes. I had not cared much about my appearance before but it was clear that my emotional distress was affecting my health. No wonder everyone was so worried!
After my bath I saw Meiling waiting for me in my room. She had declared earlier that day we were to have a "sleep over" so she could help me relax and take care of me. I could tell she wanted to distract me from everything that was happening, and the gesture was touching.
"Look Sakura, I got us a movie that just came out! It had great reviews while it was showing. It's a love story, you know...so you can learn a thing or two" She winked while she laughed at me. How I had missed her energy and laugh.
Before I could respond to her I felt a sudden pain near my heart and everything went black. I could no longer see or hear.
...
Syaoran
"SAKURA!"
I heard Meiling scream and without thinking I was already running towards the room I knew I would find her. When I opened the door Kero and Yue were there by her side, Sakura was on Meiling's lap on the floor.
"What happened?" I asked as I approached her, taking her hand to feel a pulse.
"She fainted all of a sudden and won't wake up" Meiling answered with tears in her eyes, she was visibly shaken.
I sensed something familiar about this scene and knew immediately she was under that spell again. Sakura had told me that it was no longer happening to her but for some reason I could not trust it. We were two fools still hiding secrets from one another.
"She has a pulse. I think she is fine" I grabbed her in my arms and placed her carefully on the bed. Something felt different somehow and I could tell Keroberos knew it too as he had witnessed these dizzy spells before.
"Meiling, why don't you bring her some water, you know, for when she wakes up, perhaps she stayed in the bath too long and is dehydrated" I offered, seeing her wet hair and thinking it a good enough excuse. Meiling nodded and left the room shortly after. I hated it hiding things from her but it was best not to worry her anymore than she had to.
"Do any of you sense anything?" I asked the guardians, knowing they shared a strong bond with their mistress.
"Not anymore, but I felt pain for a second before hearing the girl scream" said Yue, referring to Meiling. "It was brief, but it was there. I immediately knew something was wrong so I came to check on mistress"
"Me too, I felt the same way... I am worried she has not returned to herself yet" Kero said, I knew he had made the same deduction as me, knowing the other times she had awaken shortly after fainting but today this was not the case, there was definitely something off.
Touya opened the door abruptly, catching his breath as he entered the room. It was clear he too knew something was wrong. He saw his sister laying in the bed surrounded by us and approached her silently, reaching for her hand.
"What is wrong?" He asked to no one in particular.
"I think she is having a dream" I told him "for some time know she has had dizzy spells... I just thought they had stopped..."
We all got quiet as if thinking of a potential solution to awake her from it. Touya continued to hold his sister's hand in silence.
"She isn't dreaming. She is trapped" Touya declared after a moment.
"What do you mean?" Keroberos and I asked in unison, confused.
"Your power?" Yue asked him.
"Yes" Touya told us "I have been training as well. My spiritual power is stronger than ever before. I can sense she is trapped in a world we are unable to reach.
"I have seen it too" My mother interrupted as she stepped into the room a moment later "It's time Syaoran. Her fight will start soon and we need to fight ours. Yuna D. Kaito has been located. Here. Go now. I will protect Sakura from here" She gave me a piece of paper with the location. I glanced at it briefly and I was in disbelieve, Yuna D. Kaito had been closer than I expected.
I had hoped for more time to prepare but understood time was not on our side. I nodded, looked towards Sakura once more, hoping this would not be the last time I would see her before leaving her room. I looked for Eriol who was already expecting me, his guardians by his side. I contacted Ryu, Jeong, and Kong to join us in the battle. Sakura's guardians and her brother along with my mother stayed behind to protect her.
We took off as soon as everyone arrived and headed towards the location where we knew he would be expecting us, hoping against all odds that this was a battle we could win.
