Author's Note: Okay…here it is. Chapter Nine! So as always enjoy and of course review!
Disclaimer: I do not own CCS or any of its components. They belong to CLAMP.
Chapter Nine: Armor Amour
Sakura stood there as the crowd surrounded her and her team. She looked like as if she was about to cry. The tears building up in her eyes, but she did not let them fall. Instead, a few of her teammates hoisted her up on their shoulders as they shouted support. Li watched with a slight smile on his face, seeing the girl he loved…yes, loved…being carried away. The rest of her team ran up to her and joined in on the action of parading around the field. Now it seemed as if he were alone.
Yes, Zachary was now at his side, a hand on his shoulder, saying something to him although the words were being blocked out. The smile still on his face, he watched Sakura as she loosened up, laughing and yelling with her friends. But that didn't fool him. Of course she was happy, her and her team were the champions! But on the inside, buried beneath everything, she was feeling love. The love that he had shouted to her moments before. What was it? A spur of the moment confession? Was he in love her? Or was it the type of love that best friends share? That is the reason (as all women know) that the love she was feeling, was wrapped up in confusion. And he knew this.
"Li? Hey Li, what's wrong?"
Li turned to his friend, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, the cool night air nipping at his arms. He held up two fingers. "Strike two."
"What do you mean?"Zach asked, holding his friends shoulders. "What happened, Li?"
"If everything wasn't confusing already…"Li muttered to himself, looking down at the ground. He shook his head side-to-side and then looked up to Zach, his eyes a little glassy. "I told her that I loved her."
"I thought you were going to take it slow,"Zach said, taking his hands off of Li's shoulders and stepping a little closer to him. "That's not slow."
"I know that, Zach. But, it just came out of nowhere. She was there and…my feelings took over me. I love her, Zach. God knows I love that girl more than anything!"He said, raising his voice and pointing to Sakura, still with her team. "But all this shit is happening…"He trailed off, realizing Zach mustn't know about the cards. It would only complicate things. "Why does this have to be so hard? Why can't we love eachother and just be!"
Zach thought for a second, very carefully, choosing his words wisely. "Li…this isn't supposed to be easy. Nothing is. If things were easy, then what would be the point? We have to work at the things we hold near and dear to our hearts. And for us, my friend…"He said pausing, a smile growing on his face. "That would be the women we love."
"I know, I know,"he said, turning to face Sakura. "But what do I do about it?"
"For one, start treating life as a blessing instead of a burden." Li turned back to Zach, his hands still in his pockets and the wind blowing his hair. "You don't need all these rules and barriers you're setting up. Don't talk about taking it slow and not being official yet or whatever…just be with her. If you say you love her and you mean it then what's so bad about that? You meant it…right?"
"Of course I did, Zach."
"Then don't worry about it!"Zach said, laughing. He patted Li on the shoulder to try to loosen him up. "Talk to her. Communication is the way to go."
"What do I say?"Li asked, unsure of himself. "Apologize?"
"Now why would you do a stupid thing like that?"He asked seriously. "You love her! Don't apologize for it!"Zach said, laughing. "Ask her to be your girlfriend."
"What?! Zach, that's way too fast! I just told her I was in love with her for Chris sakes!"
"Jesus! You're making it sound as though I just told you to propose to the poor girl!" He shook his head and put his hand back on Li's shoulder. "Look, it was just a suggestion. But you do need to talk to her. And definitely spend a lot more time with her. Personal stuff. Hey…another night at your house would probably be a good idea. Ya know…a chance for you guys to be alone and sort things out. Have some fun without worrying about her over bearing brother or anybody for that matter."
"Yeah, definitely. I wonder…"Li said, feeling a smile creep on his face and the warm feeling that was emerging from his stomach and spreading around his body like blood. "Maybe…she'll let me sleep with her and…"
"Woah buddy! Isn't that going a little too fast?!"
"No Zach! Not like that! I meant…sleep…as in the action of not being awake and walking around!"Li said, giving Zach a playful punch in the arm. "Just to sleep next to her and…hold her. To know that we're not only best friends that…there's something more."
"I know, bud. I was just giving you a hard time,"Zach said matter-of-factly. "Now c'mon…let's get on the bus and prepare for that nice three hour ride home, shall we?"
"Yeah…okay,"Li said, not really paying any attention to Zach. He was looking at Sakura, a big smile on his face.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Good game girls! I'm proud of you all! But we'll have to hold off on the celebrating for a little while longer because the bus is going to be leaving in five minutes. So pack up your stuff, girls! Let's go!" The coach yelled to the girls who were busily chatting and packing at the same time.
Sakura smiled wearily at the scene going on around her. They were the champions alright but that wasn't what she was thinking about right now. "I love you." The words rang through her mind like a shot from a gun. Everything was so confusing right now. The cards, Megumi, Selena…Li. They had just declared there feelings that night and now he told her that he loved her. Of course I love him, Sakura thought to herself. But everything is happening so quickly. I don't know what to think.
"Hey Sakura. Why aren't you smiling? You just won!" Madison said, giving her best friend a well-needed hug. She hugged her friend, rocking her back and forth with happiness and excitement. Sakura couldn't take it anymore. Everything was so overwhelming. Now all she could do was break down. Madison could feel the girl in her arms shaking and so she held her even tighter. "Sakura…what's wrong?"
"Oh Madison…there's too much going on right now. I can't do this!" Sakura said. Madison took that cue for a long conversation and so she sat on the bench, Sakura still in her arms.
"What do you mean you can't do this? Of course you can, Sakura. You are the strongest person I know. You can handle anything," Madison said, smiling reassuringly. "What is this all about? The cards? Li?" Sakura nodded as she tried to finish packing her equipment. "Let me do that. You need to hurry up and change before the coach gets mad."
Sakura nodded again in between a few sobs. She started throwing off her clothing and changing as quickly as she could at the moment, while explaining to Madison. "I don't know, Madison. I mean…between the cards, Megumi, Selena and now Li…I just don't…"
"Woah woah woah wait! Li? Honey, if anything he should make all those other problems go away,"Madison said, taking Sakura's uniform and putting it in with her other stuff. She zipped up the bag and placed it at Sakura's feet and then stood up to confront her. "Now what does Li have to do with all of this?"
"Madison,"Sakura started, happily and still crying at the same time. "He told me he loved me."
"Well that's great news!"Madison exclaimed, holding her best friend's hands. "What's wrong with that, Sakura? Don't you love him too?"
"Yes! Of course I do! But don't you think it's a little quick? I mean we just confessed our feelings tonight, made a promise that nothing was official yet and then he told me he loves me. What am I supposed to think?" Sakura pulled on her sweatshirt and then released her long hair from the hood.
"You're right, Sakura. It's not fair of him to say that. But just talk to him about it, okay? I know Li and he's not just dragging you around. He truly loves you and would do anything not to see you get hurt. And I'm not just talking about emotionally either." Sakura took the bag off the floor and placed it over her shoulder as she listened to what Madison was saying. "Li wants to help you with the new cards as well, Sakura. You're acting as if you were alone through all of this. But you're not. You're far from it! You have me and Kero and Li to help you!" She said happily. Sakura started to smile as well. "Are you better now?"
"Yeah,"Sakura said, putting an arm around Madison. "Thanks, darlin'. I don't know what I would do without you."
"You would be absolutely lost,"Madison said back, smiling. "But fear not! I always have time for my best friend. For anything! And you know that."
"Of course I do!"Sakura said, giving her friend a quick kiss on the cheek. "Now I have one more problem…"
"Oh ho ho ho! And what would that be?"Madison asked.
"What do you think about a haircut?" Sakura asked, opening the door and stepping out into the parking lot.
"You're kidding!" Madison practically screeched. Sakura shook her head.
"No joke. I think a little above shoulder length, ya know…like back in elementary school. When I first started to capture the cards."
"I always loved your hair that way," Madison said joining her friend outside. She had almost collapsed when Sakura had told her the news. She had always been so protective of her hair and now she was cutting it off. It's strange how things change.
"Yeah I always did…too…Tori!" She called out, seeing her brother in the parking lot next to his car. Sakura ran to him and gave him a big hug. "Tori! I'm so happy you could make it!" She pulled back, full of energy now and excitement. "Did you see me play?"
"Yeah, squirt. You did a great job. Congratulations,"he said, handing her a bouquet of flowers.
"Ya know, Tori. Sometimes you can be such a sweet brother. Thank you,"she said, accepting the flowers and kissing her brother on the cheek. "Where's Julian?"
"Couldn't make it. He said he had some important business to take care of. Whatever that means,"he said, shrugging his shoulders. Sakura knew what it meant. Kero succeeded. Yue's been revived, she thought. "But uh, anyways…look, I have to stay at the university for a few days. They're renovating part of a building and they need people to take the computers and set them up elsewhere. It pays pretty good and I could use the money and…"
"Tori,"Sakura said, getting to the point. "Don't worry. I'll be fine. If it makes you feel any better I'll stay with Madison."
"Sakura, you don't need to do that. You've been home alone for a while now…I think a few more nights won't be so bad. But I would feel better if you were with Madison…or Li."
"What?" Sakura said. "Did you just say…"
"Now don't try to ask me for an explanation, okay? I know about you and…Sakura, I'm not an idiot. I can see what's happening." Sakura bowed her head, waiting for the lightening to strike. "Damn me for saying this but…I trust him…with you." Clear skies. "Now I'm not saying I agree with this whole thing but I dunno…I see the way he looks at you and…nevermind. I don't even want to venture further. If he makes you happy then…go for it, squirt."
She lifted her head up, a huge smile on her face. Her life had taken a sudden turn from About-To-Fall-Apart to now being A-Wonderful-Thing. "Thank you, Tori!" She said, jumping onto him. Sakura pulled away, cupping his face. "You don't know how much this means to me! To hear you finally say that! Oh, I love you big brother!" She exclaimed and then ran off towards the bus, waving. "Bye!"
He waved, a slight smile on his face. "God I hope I know what I just allowed her to do." He turned around to get in the car but then heard his name being shouted again.
"Tori! Hey!"
He looked up to see Zach and Chelsea running towards him. "Oh…hey guys."
"Has Sakura gotten on the bus yet?"Chelsea asked.
"Uh…yeah. Just got on."
"Okay! Thanks!"Zach said, taking Chelsea by the hand and running towards the bus. Suddenly Chelsea stopped and turned back towards Tori.
"I forgot to ask, have you talked to Megumi lately?"Chelsea wondered, running up to Tori. "I mean, you guys know eachother from school so I assumed…"
"Um, no. Haven't seen her,"he said. Something wasn't right, Tori thought. I don't know any Megumis at my school. Never heard of any but she says she knows me. "Hey Chelsea, what's Megumi's major?"
"What? You don't know?"
"Must have slipped my mind,"he quietly said. I never was a good liar, he thought.
"Some friend,"Chelsea said playfully. Tori just laughed it off, a little uncomfortably. "It's Marine Biology."
"Oh yeah, thanks,"he said, pretending to remember. Chelsea nodded and then ran off towards the bus, calling Zach's name.
Tori sat down in his car and started the engine. He needed to drive over to his dorm on the other side of the university. He shook his head as he backed up. "That can't be true,"Tori said to himself. "The Marine Biology majors always go to Australia during Spring Break. Something's up." He put the car into drive and started to pull away slowly out of the parking lot. "Be careful, Sakura."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sakura put her bag and stick under the bus this time. She was planning on having a good rest on the bus. The last few days had worn her out and now she was really started to feeling the effects. Upon capturing three new cards and transforming them into Sakura cards at the same time, it was getting to be a little wearing. But as always, she did it with a smile. Well, most of the time.
Grabbing the handle, she hoisted herself on the bus, already noticing that half of the people were asleep or getting themselves to that point. A celebration would be held tomorrow no doubt, probably a dinner cruise in the local harbor, she thought. That's what they did when the cheerleaders won their winter competition a few months back so why would it be any different? She was excited for it, another chance to see Li all dressed up and handsome as usual.
Sakura made her way to the back of the bus, having a few short conversations on the way. Chelsea and Zachary were sitting next to eachother, Chelsea was already asleep. Nikki and Rita were sleeping on eachother and Madison was sitting in a seat by herself behind them, reviewing her footage.
"Is this seat taken?"Sakura asked with a little sex appeal as she walked over to where Li was laying down, the last row with three seats. She laughed a little as he encircled her waist with his arms and pulled her down to him, holding her tightly. She let out a little giggle but it subsided to a sigh as he kissed the spot on her neck, right below her earlobe.
"I've missed you,"he whispered softly into her ear. They both laughed a little. Everything was right. Just so right. But they had to talk and that was the part he was dreading so he covered his nervousness and anxiety up with happiness. She squeezed him tightly one last time before she parted from him and sat up, pulling him up with her. Sakura held his hands in his, rubbing them softly. Her eyes became more relaxed and to him this meant something bad was about to happen. "Sakura, I'm so sorry…"
"Shhhh,"she cooed, feeling the strain in his voice. She looked into his eyes. They were a little glassy. Was he going to cry? "Li…it's okay. Nothing bad is going to happen to us, okay? Please, know this. We're alright." He nodded slowly and then took her into his embrace, holding her for all that she was worth. She sighed contently. What was I worrying about before? She wondered. I was getting worked up over nothing. He really loves me. There's absolutely nothing that is going to change this. "But we still need to talk."
He pulled away but still kept her near. "Alright,"he whispered. His voice sounded so…sexy when he did that. Almost in a seducing manner. She smiled at him and kissed his lips softly.
After she pulled away, they stared into eachother's eyes for a little while, but then she remembered…their talking. "Li."
"Yes?"
"Yue's been revived."
He swallowed and then let out a long sigh. "Are you sure?"
"Positive. I saw Tori before I came onto the bus. Julian wasn't with him. And I'm sure, Li. He's been awakened. I almost can….feel it,"she whispered. They moved in closer to eachother so that no one could hear them. "What should we do?"
"We definitely need to talk to them. Update them on the current situation and then find out all we can. Yue, Kero or the both of them might know something we don't." He put a hand to her face, caressing it with his fingers. "Sound good?"
She nodded. "Mmmhmm,"sighing into his grasp, then turning her head to kiss the palm. Her lips against his skin felt like rose petals. Could it always be like this?
"Sakura, I…" But then stopped when she silenced him. He yawned into her hand and his eyes became sleepy.
"Are you tired?"She whispered to him. He nodded. She smiled at his actions. "You're so cute when you're sleepy." Li blushed, turning a few shades of red. "Why don't you take a nap then,"she suggested. "We can talk later, okay?"
"But, Sakura…"he started, not even bothering to whisper.
She quickly silenced him with a kiss, a deeper one this time. Their mouths opened and closed with more passion then their previous kisses, and when it ended he sighed, wanting more. He leaned in for another one and she didn't object as he pulled her down with him to lie on the seat. When the kissing stopped she smiled, then laid her head on his chest, right below his chin. He wriggled his body a little higher so that some of his back was propped up against the window and he took his sweatshirt and placed it behind his head, then took a blanket and placed it over the both of them. He wrapped his arms around her body and she did the same, not even thinking of letting go. Her eyes opened and a smile formed on her lips as she asked, "Can I stay at your house tonight?"
He smiled a very large smile as he kissed the top of her head and then began to run his fingers through her hair. "Of course. I love having you near me." And with that declaration made, they both wandered into the realms of Queen Mab.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
As the hours rolled by, most of the bus was asleep. There were a few individuals who just couldn't sleep on buses, pretty much the coaches and assistant coaches and of course Madison. She was writing in her journal for the night's previous events:
March 25, 2001
I'm sitting on the bus right now, coming home from the championship game at Tokyo. The Boys' Varsity Soccer team and the Girls' Varsity Field Hockey Team both won their games! Each game was a heated match but especially Sakura's. She caught the Aires today. I'm so proud of her, being able to keep up throughout all of this. She's so strong and the funny thing is, she doesn' t even realize what she's capable of.
Next year we'll be seniors. It's hard to imagine it, though. Then after that, what? We'll all go our separate ways? Why does it feel like it's not supposed to be that way? I don't know. Everything is changing so fast. But I guess in a good way.
Madison glanced over to the figures sleeping across from her. Li and Sakura were in a peaceful slumber looking so…at ease with everything. As if nothing could bring them down. It was times like these that Madison cherished. She smiled to herself and continued writing:
On a personal note, I'm glad to see that Sakura and Li are finally getting to that point of…happiness. They truly love eachother and it was just so damned frustrating to see them not realize their feelings sooner! But alls well that ends well I suppose. Things are turning out good for a change. The cards are being captured, Sakura isn't sad anymore and to top it all off, her and Li!
Madison stretched her arms out as she yawned.
I guess I really didn't realize how tired I am. Time for a quick nap before we arrive home. About a half an hour or so. Bye!
"So tired,"Madison said to herself as she placed her journal in her bag and turned around on the seat and fell asleep, her back towards the seats in front of her.
A few minutes later, another awake passenger glanced from where she was sitting on the bus to Madison. Good, she's asleep, she thought. Megumi stood up and walked slowly to the back of the bus and sat down on the seat in front of Madison's. Carefully, as to not awake her, Megumi crept her hand into Madison's bag and took out her journal. Let's see if you have anything useful for me, she wondered. Upon opening the book, she flipped her way through some of the more recent entries.
March 23, 2001
Things aren't going well for Sakura today. She felt really sick and Li had to bring her home. I don't understand what's wrong with her. She seems so depressed all the time and sad. I wonder if it has anything to do with her father and brother being away for so long? I just don't know. She won't talk to me about it either. I wish I could help her but I can't.
Later…
There are more cards! I know it seems irrational, okay, VERY irrational but it's true! Sakura caught a card called The Aquarius. As in the zodiac sign. It was so exciting and yet so very familiar at the same time. But amazingly, Sakura seems to be in good spirits! Maybe it has to do with a certain Li Showran? Oh ho ho! I could only hope!
Megumi shook her head as she thought to herself: It only started on Friday! I was so lucky to arrive at the perfect time! But it seems as if she's capturing a new card each day, she assumed, flipping through to the following two days. This isn't good! She thought, slipping the journal back into Madison's bag and carefully going back to her own seat. Things aren't going the way I planned. Now I'll have to change my course of action completely.
Megumi was shook from her thoughts as the bus made a screeching halt. She looked out the window and saw the not-so-familiar landscape of the school parking lot, indicating that their little trip was done. Megumi sighed. Another night with no answers.
As the lights on the bus flickered on, the athletes woke up from their sleep and tried to not be disoriented. Most of them started to stand up and get their personal belongings as fast as they could. Most of them were in a hurry to get off the bus and get home to have a good night's sleep without any interruptions of a bus. Most of them.
Li slowly opened his eyes, taking in everything that was happening around him. People were rummaging around in overhead compartments and under the seat, searching for their duffle bags, backpacks and whatnot. Madison grabbed her bag and threw it over her shoulders and then waved to Li. "See ya later. Take care of her tonight, okay?"
Li just nodded his head, "Okay, Madison. See ya." He then turned his attention to the girl still sleeping on him. "Hmmm,"he hummed, smiling. Luckily for him, her face was only inches away and tilted towards him. She was practically begging to be kissed! He thought to himself. Slowly descending to her lips, he finally kissed her and as she awakened, leaned in to him more, causing his head to hit the glass. They broke and she giggled like a little girl, still a little sleepy. "Hey,"he said in that low, seductive whisper of his.
She smiled at his welcome. And then he did that thing she loved. He ran his fingers through his hair and then kept his hand on the back of his head, using his elbow to prop his arm up against the seat. The urge was too great, she kissed him deeply, the most passionate kiss they had shared thus far and broke it as quickly as it came. It drove him wild as he watched her walk away from him towards the exit of the bus. She turned at the door and bit her lip at him. "She has no idea what she's doing to me right now,"he said to himself, smiling.
"Oh, I think I have an idea." Li turned to the seat in front of him and saw Zach leaning over the seat, smiling that dumb, love struck smile. "Drives you crazy, doesn't it?" Li shrugged and got up from his seat and started to walk past Zach, towards his princess. "Then what does it do to you, man?"
Li turned around and smiled, "It makes me fall deeper in love is what it does." Zach laughed and smiled as well as Chelsea's arms wrapped around him from behind. I understand perfectly, he thought.
Sakura had jumped off the bus, laughing. She knew exactly what her little tease had done to Li and she thought it was so funny, almost hysterical. She searched the bottom of the bus for her stuff and when she found it, grabbed it and turned around to see Li…very close to her. "Hi."
"Hey,"he said smiling. "Ready to go temptress?"
"Since when did I become that?" She asked, like it shocked her. He rolled his eyes and took her hand, pulling her close to him, wrapping his arms around her.
They walked like this to his car and they couldn't help but to constantly smile! Since when does happiness like this, bliss like this appear? Usually never and some people never achieve this height of sensitivity. It was amazing. To the naked eye they were just a normal couple, new to the relationship just beginning. But to eachother it was so much more. It was the start of something that would draw them closer than ever before.
On the drive to her house they became full of energy. The sleep, game and the capture of a new care refilled their body with pure energy and it was overflowing. The night was only beginning. 'For a dreamer, night's the only time of day…'
As they arrived at her house, they both mentally prepared themselves for what was to come. Yue had now been revived and any preconceptions about this being easy was now erased from their minds. Tonight, they were both hoping to get some answers.
The two of them walked up to the door and just stood there, staring at the front of it. Sakura took a few deep breaths in but stopped mid-intake, feeling Li's fingers entwine with her own. She smiled and then turned to look at him. "Ready?"
"Yeah,"he said, nodding. "Let's do this." At this time he opened the door and stepped in first, leading Sakura behind him. He led her through the entranceway and down her hall, on their way to the living room. As they rounded the corner, he squeezed her hands, his way of letting her know that everything would be okay. And you know what? She truly thought it would be.
First she saw two sets of large wings; white in appearance and soft to the touch. She knew this because many a times she had been carried in his arms or rested on his back after a long battle. She almost swore that she could feel the feathers lightly brushing her face. "Yue,"she said, barely audible.
"Mistress,"he said in that voice of his. The one that holds authority yet could lull you to sleep, if given the chance. "It has been a while."
Sakura walked up to him and without one bit of hesitation, reached out for his waist and held him to her. "I have missed you."
He smiled slightly as he responded to her hands, putting one on her back and the other on her head. "And I you."
Li crossed his arms and smirked as he stood next to Keroberos, now in his true guardian form. He watched the two hug, renewing the special bond they always had shared. "It has been a while,"Li remarked, still watching them. His sight shifted to the guardian beast beside him. "Sakura captured another card."
This got the attention of Yue as well and he separated from Sakura. She bowed her head, looking at the floor. "Yes, it's true. Now I have four." Sakura went into the hall and emerged a little while later with her book. She opened it and with her magic, the four cards floated around her in a circle. "The Libra, Aquarius, Sagittarius and now…The Aires,"she said, taking that specific card. After a moment of searching it over, she took all four of the cards and placed them on her coffee table in the middle of the room. "Four out of twelve,"she examined them all before she sat down. "Eleven new cards, Kero. Why didn't someone tell me about this sooner?"
Yue spoke for the both of them, "Because Sakura, it was just a legend. When Clow Reed started to deteriorate more rapidly then before, many groups started to ponder ways to stop it all. No one wanted to see him die. They tried everything. From spells to potions but…their trials were all in vein. Clow knew death was just beyond the next day or the day after that. It was only a matter of time."
"Yue's right,"Kero said. "We never thought it would happen but…the constellations held a place for Clow Reed in their hearts. Each of them gave up their livelihood for the chance of saving him. Hoping that one day someone could set them free and wish for the revival of Clow Reed."
"But why turn themselves into cards? Why not heal him directly?"Sakura asked, looking from one guardian to another. "Wouldn't that make more sense?"
"It's not possible,"Kero began. "Things don't work like that, Sakura. If they healed him directly then complications in the afterlife would arise. Complications in the netherworlds. Gods and monsters alike would be furious. They are the ones that think everything should not be so easy. The revival of Clow Reed or anybody at all had to be earned. But time was running short. So the constellations tried to beat the system…"
"They turned their spirtual sense into the cards. If someone would release them they would hold the power to bring back someone from the dead,"Yue finished. Kero shot him a nasty look but he just ignored it. "Fine, Kero. Continue on if…"
"So then,"he said, not jumping in at all… "some of Clow's followers and colleagues tried to capture the cards to revive Clow but other forces got in the way."
"Like what?"Li asked. "What forces?"
"There were some evil magicians and sorcerers that wanted Clow to stay dead. Other organizations and corrupt brother and sisterhoods wanted the power of the cards to bring back former leaders of their cults and clans. A battle erupted. Something that once seemed almost simple was now turning into a huge task,"Kero added. "So eventually, I suppose the cards were forgotten and time passed on. Clow had been dead for too long. His connection with the earth became non-existent. And so were the memory of the cards,"Kero concluded.
"So why are they surfacing now? After all this time?"Sakura asked.
"I think you triggered it,"Li realized.
"What, Li? What do you mean that I triggered it?"
He looked to her guardians and Kero nodded him to continue. "The day that you used the Libra, Sakura. You used that card for a purpose that it had forgotten long about. You used it for a physical as well as an emotional healing tool. And then it must have remembered it's original intent. I think it somehow awakened the others."
"If that's true,"Sakura said, taking all of the cards in her hand. "Then what do I do with them once they're all caught? What then?"
"First, you must activate them. By capturing them you have proven your physical strength but now you must prove your intelligence." Sakura groaned at this comment but Yue just continued on. "Then you must take part in a trial. You will have to pass one more battle by approaching The North Star. Like in the Final Judgment, she will determine whether you can be granted the power to revive someone from their untimely death."
Sakura put the cards away into her book and held it close to her, feeling her eyes become a little watery. "Tell me one thing,"she said, looking to her guardians. "Is it possible to bring back my mother?"
Yue's face, usually emotionless became a little shocked as if he didn't know what to say. He looked over to Keroberos and he didn't have the answer either. As to not upset her, Yue tried to answer her question the best he could. "Anything is possible." Some answer.
Pausing, Sakura took in a deep breath. "I know anything is possible, Yue,"she said, standing up and approaching him. "But what I want to know is…is this possible? Because if it's not then…"She stopped and took another deep breath, trying to come herself down. "I know it's too late for Clow already but…if I can't bring her back then I won't bring back anyone at all."
Keroberos walked over to Sakura, "Yue and I are still not sure if it will work or not. The afterlife is very complicated. Certain circumstances may arise. Sakura, this is a very tricky matter and until we're one hundred percent sure of anything, it would be wrong to make assumptions."
Sakura stretched her arms out as she yawned while she talked, "Then maybe we should call Eriol…"When she was finished, her eyes started to close and became watery. She rubbed them and shook her head, trying to stay awake.
"Maybe another day, Sakura,"Li said, walking over to her. "We're both a little tired."
Keroberos nodded, "That's a good idea. We are tired as well from the revival."Kero and Yue looked at eachother and came to a mutual understanding of where Sakura was sleeping tonight. They both knew as well what was going on of course and nodded to eachother as they walked up the stairs. "Goodnight Sakura."
"Good…night,"she mumbled between yawns as she fell into Li's chest.
He laughed slightly, "Silly girl." And then scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the door. On the way out he managed to grab her duffle bag and Sakura book as well. Who knows what will happen tomorrow? He thought. She has caught a new card everyday since Friday. It's amazing she hasn't passed out all ready. Transforming them into Sakura Cards in the process of capturing them, day after day. She's so strong. Sometimes I envy her strength.
Li dropped the bag and opened the car door, placing Sakura gently on the seat and then reclining it for her. Shutting the door gently, he smiled. He had done things like this many times before but suddenly, the meaning was different. They would finally be together soon…well hopefully. As he sat in the car, he ejected the cd that was in the player and put in a new one. A mix that Sakura had made for him called, "Nadeshiko Remix" after her mom. He remembered her saying that she didn't know why she named it after her mom, maybe something she would listen to.
On the drive to his house, Li started thinking of what happened on earlier that day…well, yesterday to be precise. The words "I love you". He could still feel the taste of it in his mouth, on his tongue. It felt like the way she kissed him, like rose petals or feathers. It felt like the feeling he got in his stomach or anywhere in his body when she was near, his heart pounding. It tasted like whipped cream and strawberries. It reminded him of honey and toast by the fire. He glanced over at her sleeping figure and suddenly, nothing seemed better than this.
When he arrived there, he carried Sakura into his house first and put he on his couch and then returned for the duffle bags. I was looking forward to our talk tonight, he thought. Well, maybe not looking forward to it. What if she rejects me? Says I'm moving too fast for her or something. I couldn't…wouldn't be able to handle that. Not at all. I just…his thoughts were shifted when he opened the door and saw his couch empty. "Sakura?" He called out her name twice more with the same response. None.
"HEY!" She jumped out from behind the door and wrapped her arms around him from behind. "Were you surprised?"
He laughed as he turned around in her embrace. "Yes, a little. So…you're not tired anymore?"
She yawned while she nodded. "Yeah, I still am. I just had a quick little burst of energy I suppose."
"Oh,"he said quietly. "Then I guess you're not in the mood to talk, huh?" She started to say something but he silenced her with a finger over her mouth. "No, it's okay. It can wait until later." He left her then, walking towards his bedroom, without her.
She stood alone in his living room. That was a little odd, she thought. I guess he's been trying to talk to me all night I just haven't said anything. Sakura walked to his room and stood in the doorway. "Li, I…" She watched him gather a blanket and a pillow as she spoke to him. He turned around and looked at her. "Li, I DO want to talk to you. Right now."
"Sakura we've had a long day and…"
"Li,"she said, like it hurt. He instantly felt sorry and his face became soft with care as he could sense the pain in her voice when she said his name. "I want to…to…"
He dropped his bedding and went to her, taking her hands in his and walked over to the bed and sat her down. Li smoothed the hair out of her face and scanned her eyes for a clue of what was to come. "What do you want, Sakura?"
"I want to believe that everything you say is true. That we are taking it slow. I want to believe it. More than anything." She pleaded with him. Get-on-your-knees and beg type of deal.
"Do you not believe me when I say that…I don't care for you?" He almost choked on those words.
She shook her head. "No, Li. I know you care for me. I know that you…love me. And not in a friendly way although you do care for me as a friend. Well I guess more than a friend now…it's just that…this is getting to be confusing." A few tears rolled down her cheek and she looked away from him, unable to look to see if he was crying as well. She glanced at him. He was.
Li Showran hardly cries. Only a few times can he remember but now he wasn't worrying about what Sakura thought of him crying. He was worried that she didn't love him in the way that he loved her. "I know this is confusing and it's my fault, okay? I take the blame! Just don't end this, Sakura. Please! I love you so much. Don't do this. Please, Sakura." She was crying so hard now. She couldn't stop the sobs but she had to hear this. He wouldn't stop now. He had to keep her, hold on as long as he could. Forever if she would let him. "I love every part of you,"he said, holding onto her arm, kneeling in front of her. "These arms. Your face,"he said, holding it in his hands. "These feet and your legs. Everything! They're so much a part of me now I can't let you go,"he explained, wrapping his arms around her waist.
The tears flowed freely down her face now. That was it. There was no holding this in any longer now…
Author's Ending Notes-Okay! So that's that chapter! I know what you might be thinking…cliffhanger right? And don't flame me! Just wait until the next chapter and if you still don't like it then…tough cookies, eh? So anyways, I hope you enjoyed it and review!
