The Silver Moon

Summary: Xiao Lang Li, Prince of the Li clan, locked up in the Asylum of the Human world for reasons unknown. Accused for murder, his memory erased, declared amnesia, his life a void and perhaps meaningless, his mind only left with one thought to ponder on. Sakura. Can Eriol, Powerful Sorcerer of the Reed Dynasty, help Li revive these memories and perhaps, stop the apocalypse?

Genre: Fiction/Mystery/Romance/Angst.

Author's note: Chapter eight up!

And: Review, please. That's all I ask. You've read it and added it to your fav list, but I don't know what you're thinking of it. So please, review.

And: I wanted to ask you all to read my other stories too, but I won't be updating them any time soon. This one I'll keep up with.

Disclaimer: CCS is not mine.

9: Kiss

I'm coming out of my cage
And I've been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this
It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss

-Mr. Brightside; The Killers

It was the strangest thing that Eriol was experiencing that particular night. He couldn't point to it or feel the need to act on it, but he knew this had to be important. Strange things always amounted to the same.

He turned on his mat and felt the cold floor anyway. Winter was really beginning to set in Tomoeda and that shocked him as he knew the summers were an entire irony as far as this weather went. Damn nature. And then he saw Xiao Lang's peaceful sleeping face.

That just felt awkward, that thought, but it was true. Xiao Lang had been having a strenuous couple of days of training with Kaho and he only hoped he was close to facing the war or fight coming. He knew they could prepare all they wanted, but this seemed to have no end. This need to find the truth sometimes led to stranger things. Why did Eriol set on this trip? He just couldn't pinpoint to one day, but the day he found the empty Clow book, he knew it was time to conform. He had to know the truth.

Empty Clow book...

Oh goodness God!

Eriol quickly gushed over to Xiao Lang and woke him with a nudge. Xiao Lang sat up wearily.

"What? I don't think that was even an hour!" He half whispered and half whined. Eriol took no notice of it.

"Call Kaho out from the shrine, I've just thought of something." Was all Eriol stated as he stood to leave to his ground desk? Xiao Lang blinked for a few moments more before leaving to do as he was told.

This should be an interesting night.

SM

"Has anyone ever taken a closer look at the Clow book?" Eriol stated as the three of rounded the desk. A candle was lit and time ticked its way into dawn. It was rather a chill dawn, but it had to be the day Eriol finally realized why the Clow book had been left to him. He showed the front of the book, the cover.

"Well, it has the sun on its cover with what is probably the physical appearance, or perhaps one appearance of the Gaurdian, isn't it?" Kaho asked, unsure. And Eriol overlooked it then. He only nodded and continued.

"And what we haven't noticed is this," he said as he flipped the book over. Xiao Lang only half stared at the back of the book. He then snorted before saying his piece.

"It's Sakura's circle, right?" Xiao Lang, as he stuffed himself under the blanket he brought from his mat and hay. Eriol nodded.

"What's under the circle?" Kaho asked quickly.

"Exactly! What is it that this symbol represents?"

Eriol was pointing to a crescent moon with wings, dignified in gold and shown as if it were to be an eclipse. Fact was the moon was simply in its face, silver and big.

"Turning to the cover, we know that this," Eriol pointed to the face of the lion and the sun, "is the Guardian we know of. And this?" he asked sincerely as he turned the book to its back. Xiao Lang suddenly understood.

"Is it possible that there are two guardians?" Xiao Lang asked incredulously. He looked from Eriol's face and read his mind in an instant.

"Two guardians that stand exactly for that that the prophecy says," he said, putting the Clow book down and picked up the old and worn out sheet of the prophecy he had scoped out.

He read aloud.

And for what Clow had created on many nights of silver, there had been another, and another, till there were as many as there were prayers. But only twins surfaced from there on, reflecting their power on one another and protecting what was rightfully their creator's.

Kaho's eyes went wide and Xiao Lang considered what Eriol had said.

"Then there are two Guardians, one that takes its energy from the sun, the stronger Guardian." Kaho said.

"The other only reflecting its power perhaps drawing energy from a stable body and behaving like a moon, only reflecting the sun's light. Also being the weaker of the two." Eriol stated, making Kaho nod in response and Xiao Lang only stare.

"But that has to mean something! There were two Guardians and even then Sakura got the power. That has to mean at least one of them is still alive! Clow couldn't have made faulty mortal creatures!"

Eriol considered what Xiao Lang was saying and nodded. Clow was never one make perishable magic. He was one to make the permanent, forever and always ones. The Guardians were certainly still alive, and they had to be found. They had to know more. There had to be more to this method of madness.

"There is a sage I know of, far above the land. He knows more than he should about most things magic." Kaho stated rather despicably. This old man was clearly no one she cared or liked. Xiao Lang nodded.

"Okay, I think you guys need to be the ones to go." Xiao Lang stated. Eriol raised an eyebrow.

"I don't want to leave Sakura." He was open about his concern through his mind. Shockingly enough, his old teenage self not being able to spend any time with her caused a rift in his mind as well. It didn't take a genius to know how much he missed her, and it was killing him to watch her be with anybody, anybody but him. He felt miserable. And he had a reason. A real reason anyway.

I don't like these royal stuck up bastards, always around her.

Eriol nodded and turned to Kaho. This seemed like the best plan so far. And they stuck to it. They would rest the following day and start their trek the next day bright and early, leaving enough to stock up on supplies and all. Kaho assured him the duration of the trip would be unknown and that they had to be preparing for anything possible.

Xiao Lang dropped dead a few moments after voting himself to stay behind.

Eriol smiled at Kaho as she left and felt surprised as she walked back to him and placed a wonderfully tingling kiss on his neck. His smile didn't go unnoticed by her and she left for certain this time.

Eriol, surprisingly, fell asleep instantly as well.

*.*

Yukito could feel the steep fall as he slept, and he knew he was asleep. He knew it deep in his bone that he had been asleep for the past half hour, and he could feel the fall.

How could he possibly know? Was this a dream?

He felt himself fall through the darkness, numb partly, and he knew he could do nothing to save himself. He tried to scream, to make a noise, but all was in vain. He was slowly starting to give up.

The darkness seemed to be swallowing him whole, unconcerned of the fact that he was still alive. Was this hell? Why was he being punished this way? He couldn't feel, and yet he could feel. It was the strangest thing, this entire falling.

And then he felt the rise, the sudden flap and dive. It felt like he was gliding through the air, like he could breathe again, and like he was...

Flying!

Was he flying? Was he really flying?

"Maybe if you wake up, you could find out."

Yukito jolted straight, his eyes wide and his hands in fists. He couldn't understand how Touya's voice got there, in his dream was it?

"You're here," Yukito stated lightly as he rested back against the tree he fell asleep on. Dusk was brisk to approach, unstoppable it looked like. And the whole day had been wasted.

"Well, yeah," Touya responded uncertainly. He had been with Yukito the whole night, unlike Yukito. The night had started out simple enough, when they began from home on their usual path and trek, and Yukito had suddenly started to feel a bit iffy. Hence why Touya had carried him here to the meadow and settled him by the shade under the tree. Then, without warning, Yukito passes out for the entire stretch of the day. Touya felt concerned, like he should be able to do something. But there was something off about it, like Yukito was being shielded; like he was... being protected.

"How're you feeling?" He asked instead of the curious questions he had. Yukito blinked and looked around, realizing he'd been asleep through the night to dawn. The early birds were chirping and the weather was pleasant, the sun yet to come up. He then looked at Touya and smiled. Was that concern he saw on Touya's face?

"I'm feeling good, sorry I fell asleep though."

He stood up without help and watched as Touya stood as well. Withstanding the urge to hug Touya, or do worse, he decided he'd better pack up and be the first on their way. As he was about to walk away, Touya held on to his shoulder firmly. Yukito only looked, questioning.

"That was a pretty intense dream you had there." Was all Touya said to make Yukito remember it once again. He nodded.

"It felt... real. I felt like I wouldn't—"

"Come back?"

Yukito nodded once again, making Touya wince. He brought Yukito to his chest and hugged him tight, afraid of what was happening to Yukito. He knew this was strange, Yukito never slept in the middle of the night. Yukito was a creature of the nocturnal kind, Touya knew that well enough. He let him go, and held his face in his hands.

"I'll keep you safe, from everything, if I must." He said, as he rubbed his cheek tenderly. It made Yukito long for more, but he knew he had to let the moment pass as slowly as he could, and that made him not breathe. He was afraid that anything he did would make Touya look at him like the enemy, once again.

A few moments passed, and Touya inched forward to kiss his cheek. Yukito couldn't have asked for more.

*.*

Syaoran decided he wanted to see Sakura today, stalk her if he must, but he missed her far too much. He wondered if she was still training, for it had been days since he saw her last and she did not look like she was training.

He smiled to himself as he prepared his carriage and horse, waited on the castle steps before his cousin appeared.

"Going somewhere, brother?"

Syaoran groaned inwardly.

"Not really, just going to train in the forest."

"I presumed you would continue your training here, in the premises of the Castle." Mei Ling caught his white lie. He sighed and slumped down to the steps and sat there, moaning.

"I have to see her," he mumbled.

"See whom?" Mei Ling asked a very less than innocent question. Syaoran snorted.

"Like you wouldn't know,"

"Oh I do know cousin, and I also happen to know that she is preparing to meet my fiancé and me for my wedding."

At this statement Syaoran stood up, shocked and insanely furious.

"Are you completely out of your wit? Don't you know what would happen if Mother found out—"

"That I've been slumming it with a commoner? More so than you do, brother, so relax. I've got my story covered. Sakura will come by as Yamazaki's guest, and he'll cover up if he must. She said she'd love to, by the way," Mei Ling paused with a look of thoughtfulness. "Though I doubt she'd feel the same if I told her I'd roped you into coming as well." Mei Ling winked. Syaoran smiled as he watched her take the steps into the castle.

"You haven't roped me into anything, Mei Ling." Syaoran stated, taking the same steps behind her, following her.

"I roped you into my plans even before you sat at those steps, pathetically love sick, so don't you deny it Xiao Lang."

Syaoran grinned and yet felt a pang when he heard he call him that. Not that that wasn't his name, but it sounded strange coming from Mei Ling. And yet, everything in him told him there was nothing he could do about it. Only Sakura was ever allowed to call him by that name, and only she ever would.

That depended of course, on the fact of whether or not she would ever speak with him again, after his atrocious display of caveman tendencies.

*.*

Xiao Lang awoke, did his morning routines and presumed Eriol and Kaho gone when he found them gone. It was only obvious.

He decided he'd find Sakura and follow her around. In all these months of having been around her, he'd never really understood what she did all day long, who she spent her time with, which her friends were, who her housemates were.

All he understood was that she was the chosen one, and she was in love with... well, him. Most days he'd accepted it to a point where he felt jealous of the Prince, and some days he didn't understand. What was the fuss about? Why did she have to be the one with access to that much power, and additional power that would make her the strongest Sorceress known to man? Why was she special?

Xiao Lang went to her camp, stood outside before taking a fresh breath to start. He looked up at the sun, high in the sky and then walked in and leaped up to the tree right above her home. He looked around and saw people walk, eat, sleep and probably practice their witchcraft. He didn't understand why gypsies had to be treated differently, why they were to be threatened by the presence of royalty. It looked like the young prince didn't understand it either, hence why he was in love with one.

Sakura seemed to be quiet, doing nothing inside her home, after which he walked out wearing her usual attire, only now he saw her in different light. She looked radiant, beautiful. She looked good enough for him to want to know her once again. He looked at her exposed shoulders and abdomen and took a deep breath once more before leaping off the tree and walking towards where he thought she was heading.

This was going to be a long day.

TSM

Sakura felt him even before she felt anything else. It was strange, she realized. His presence behind her should've frightened her, surprised her, astonished her, but it did none of that. She only felt safe with him behind her, and one small moment she mistook him for Syaoran. It wasn't Syaoran, she was sure of that. But was she?

Something in her told her to pretend like this was alright, like no one was following her and like she was just living another day. She didn't want to alarm her spy, and she had no reason to believe she was going to be in harm's way.

She went to the woods, half hoping to find Syaoran there waiting for her but there was no such fortune written for her, it seemed. She followed her usual routine and practiced her magic without hesitancy. She wound herself tired and recklessly wasted all the energy she had, just so she could prove to him that she meant no harm either. It didn't matter, he was far stronger than her and she knew it.

She saw dusk fall quickly and the night taking over. Having missed all her meals, she felt herself weaken rapidly with every passing second. Picking herself up, she walked a little way and then, she fell.

Now, she would know.

TSM

Xiao Lang was by her side even before she fell. He knew it would come to this, he knew the instant he saw her over exert herself that she would faint on him. And he felt her, weak and trembling from the night's cold beneath him as he carried her to the campsite.

He felt like he'd done this before. He felt like he'd been close to her before; held her to his body, felt her skin on his before. And he loved it. He loved the tingling he felt from her skin on his and he loved how she was so close to him, so near. He didn't just like it, and that bothered him. He was so far gone when it came to her that he feared to what extent he would go for her.

The night sky was shining and at the same time cloudy. He held Sakura closer to him, wondering how he ever let her go. He knew he would have to, and soon, because someday this would all be a dream and he'd probably have to erase her memory on the same. Someday he would have to forget her and go back, back to his meaningless existence and meaningless life.

He looked down at her, knowing he'd be at the camp soon and he'd better be prepared to invade with stealth.

Good God, how would he explain this to Eriol?

TSM

Sakura awoke with a start in the middle of the night. And she knew she wasn't alone.

"You're awake." Was all he said, and she turned to his voice. Touya. She let out the breath she was holding up until that moment and decided she wanted to know. She knew there were people following her; she knew she was keeping secrets. Tonight, she would find out.

"I'm up. Sorry I didn't fix dinner." She said as she stood up and stretched. She felt good.

"That's okay, I made something. Left some stuff for you too. I'm leaving now," Touya took a good look at Sakura before he left, and that was that. Sakura almost backed out of her own plan, but there wasn't a need to.

The moment her brother left and she turned around, she found him standing there with a blank face.

"You knew."

Sakura nodded slowly before taking a step forward, forcing him to stay put. He didn't want to have to touch her again; it was unbearable the first time. He didn't trust himself with her, not one bit. But he had to know.

"You're Syaoran, aren't you?"

Xiao Lang started, wondering what brought that on. Just the mention of that name from her lips made him want to do the strangest things. He couldn't believe it, how strongly he felt for her. He moved towards her, all the while his eyes only on hers. His hands reached up to her hair, letting it fall around her. He let his fingers gently touch her hair, her forehead, and her cheeks. He memorized the way her face flushed, her breathing rushed and her eyes closed. His thumb went to her lower lip and caressed the softness that it was, his mind in a wonder.

"I'd completely forgotten you," he confessed in a whisper. His hands brushed past her face, now to her bare neck and shoulders. Her skin felt soft, unbelievably so. One finger was all it took to feel all of her, and all it took to make her tremble and part her lips. And that did him in. She felt surreal, like everything it took to make him remember why he was here, why he sought her out in the first place.

"I forgot that your neck felt so soft," he placed his lips to her neck, a kiss, he told herself, wouldn't be so bad. And he felt her shiver. And then he kissed her neck again, slower than the last time, making her moan just a little. He let his hands roam to the sides of her body, her waist and then her abdomen. The need to be closer was growing within him, and he didn't know if he could stop. He gripped her in his hands, biting her neck as gently as he thought he could before looking up and bending to her lips. And that was when it struck him.

"Do you want me to kiss you?" he asked her, limp and numb before him. He pushed her, and she willingly moved until her back was to the door. The cabin was lit faintly, her eyes wide and alert as they met his. She hadn't touched him, hadn't laid a finger on him. She felt him, his touch and his lips but wouldn't touch him?

That didn't stop him though, her almost rejection. Her mind wanted to say many things to him, name many factors as to why she shouldn't kiss him, but then she didn't. She felt his lips, open and hot on her shoulders and she pushed into him. His hands gripped her hips to his and she felt enough to know this was going out of control, but there wasn't much to be done, because she didn't want to stop.

"Let me kiss you," his words came out slow and whispered in her ear as he bit her earlobe, not so gently. Her breath was shallower than before as she nodded just once before his lips were at the side of hers, kissing and licking.

"Say it. Tell me you want me to kiss you." His voice was harsh, hoarse and demanding and Sakura could only give in.

"Kiss me," the whisper left her lips, and then his were on hers, open and deep. Every time she'd imagined kissing Syaoran, she'd thought of the intensity and the passion with which she would do it, knowing it was probably not his first time made it worse, but this... this was beyond her imagination. She didn't know that his hands could feel so good, and his kiss could make her feel weak. Was it that he was older now? Loved her more? Or was it that she had no control over every touch, every lick and nip?

"Sakura,"

Sakura only moaned in response as she pulled him into her body, further. Being able to feel every inch of him only made her want him more. Every part of her was on fire. She told herself she should stop, and that she would stop. Just one more kiss, and she would stop. He shifted his attention to her blouse, pushing it off her hands and revealing more skin than she'd have liked normally. He licked, sucked and nipped just above her breasts, making her gasp and grasp his hair harder. Just one more kiss. Just one more—

Suddenly, Xiao Lang's face was inching away from her own, his eyes on hers and her lips as he smiled a child like smile. Sakura could only smile back.

"I missed you," he whispered to her as he kissed her lips once, then twice. Sakura nodded. She didn't know how long Syaoran waited for her, but she missed him too.

"I've waited an eternity to feel you again, Sakura." He said, confident and yet, casual, like it was something he just realized. It was like he could breathe again, like he'd forgotten what was most important. He'd forgotten his love for Sakura, why he came back here at all. And now, as he looked at her face, her green eyes and her flush lips, he smiled again. His forehead touched hers and he told her.

"One day, you will be mine, and only mine," he said as he looked deep into her eyes, "but for now, you must promise me you will wait for me." Sakura thought for nothing as she nodded in approval. She would wait forever if she must.

"Where're you from?" she asked him, as he shook his head.

"I can't tell you." He kissed her; touched her skin and he brought her into a tight embrace, his lips on the back of her neck constantly. The next time he met her eyes, he told her silently what he couldn't bear to say aloud.

You must forget me, but remember your love for me. Forget this happened, he willed as he looked into her dazed eyes, but know that you love me and you always will.

He was gone, right after he took one look at her face again, and then she was alone and asleep in her comfortable bed. By morning she would remember none of this.

Outside, somewhere in the moonlight, Xiao Lang wished he could say the same.

*.*

The trek through the blistering cold was uneventful and freezing. The day had been long, forcing Kaho and Eriol to trek up the mountain as the night would bring things they couldn't risk. No words were exchanged between the two as they trekked up, or as they rested under the tent in the dark, or as they packed up for the next day of trek.

The only time Eriol spoke was when they neared the Guardian's possible location. He looked around, the snow covered peaks visible from far away and the view below was breathtaking.

"Are you sure this is the location?"

Kaho nodded merely, as the ledge below was getting thinner and thinner, deciding on how to explain to Eriol exactly the location and its method of obtainment.

She decided to tell him the truth.

"I can dream the future."

Eriol stopped dead in his tracks, the wind deafening. His ears were numb and he narrowed his eyes before he spoke again, walking right behind Kaho.

"What do you mean, 'dream the future'?"

Kaho turned around with a frown on her face.

"I can see things, know them and recollect them from my dreams."

Somehow, Kaho's statements were very... select and firm. There wasn't much to think up on or debate about but... Eriol was sceptical.

"So we're going on this trip to the mountains all based on a dream?" he asked. Kaho laughed. She turned around and stopped in her tracks, blocking Eriol as well. Her expression was indecipherable, and Eriol only looked.

"You have no idea the things I've seen, Eriol. Things I have no control over, but things I alone must know."

Eriol blinked.

And then it came to him.

"You saw us coming, Xiao Lang and I, didn't you?" he asked, as if it were even necessary. Kaho only looked away.

"You know what I'm here to do, what I have to. You knew even before... even before I came here. Possibly before I knew what I had to do."

Kaho turned away and resumed walking. All that was visible of her now was the sack of necessities resting on her back and her furry form. He sighed.

He should've known it would be something of this sort. He knew it would be. Somewhere deep down, he knew someone always knew one step ahead; someone like Kaho, who would meet him and grant him shelter and food, as he needed it, and have him at her mercy and love.

"Should I be afraid of you?"

Kaho merely walked on at Eriol's question. She didn't have an answer. Instead, she turned around and pulled Eriol into a hug. Eriol was dumbstruck. She pulled away, looked into his eyes and sighed deeply.

"You have nothing be afraid of, especially not me." She took his hand in her own and placed one hand on his heart.

"You have the power Eriol, you must believe in yourself. I'm just your guide, your friend. I will take you there, but you," she pointed at him, "you alone have the power."

Eriol then leaned in and kissed her. He had no choice, with her looking at him like that, he couldn't stop himself. It was probably the third or fourth time, and Eriol felt at peace. He had so many questions to ask, so much to know, but instead he held her hand and walked on. The path was narrow and the snow was cold. He was sure the Guardian wasn't far.

Sure enough, Kaho and Eriol were facing a cave that wasn't lit and looked like a crack in the mountain more than a cave, but it was the cave. Kaho was sure. Eriol had to be sure. They walked in to face whatever they must.

"Finally, you're here!"

A very cheery voice, high at its pitch, came from the depths of the cave. Or did it come from behind him? Eriol couldn't tell. The cave echoed every noise.

"Keroberos, Guardian of the Sun?" Kaho asked curiously, her stance cautious, and behind her was Eriol.

And there, right in front of them, was the smallest toy like creature anyone had ever seen. Eriol startled, and Kaho gazed at him curiously.

"Yeah, sure... But you can call me Kero." Then the small yellow creature grinned.

"You're the Guardian of the Seal? How is that possible?" Eriol couldn't help himself, and the question came before the caution. Kero looked at Eriol.

"I barely know you, blue boy, and it's rude to ask questions without proper introductions!" Kero informed them as headed further into the cave.

"Come on in! I don't bite!"

The voice echoed, and Eriol walked stunned behind a very brave Kaho, he thought. Who else would be willing to walk into a cave of the teddy bear?

*.*

Yukito sat up on a tree way, late in the night, and looked at his hands. His hands which until a few days ago, he thought were just hands. The dreams were recurrent and rather realistic. There was no doubt about it; Yukito knew that he could fly.

He felt like an idiot for even considering the idea, but he knew he had to try. If he didn't try... he'd never know. He'd never know if he was different, if he could actually fly.

He looked below and saw how far above the ground he was. If he didn't fly, and this proves him insane, he would be dead or at least end up with his bones broken.

But, what if he could? What if he was right?

He didn't know if it was momentary madness, or he was sure enough of his capabilities. He pushed off the side of the branch and in one second, he didn't know what he was doing. He felt himself falling and willed for the wings to come free, for him to fly.

And then, he panicked.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

He couldn't remember if he fell or he died afterward, but he saw black then.

"Yukito!"

Touya's voice was distinct and loud, and he felt his screams penetrate through his ear drum, giving him a headache.

"I'm awake," he mumbled quickly and regretted it. His entire body was numb as he tried to sit himself up. It looked like dawn was coming quick but he wouldn't know. He was delirious, he knew it for sure. He thought he dreamt of flying off the branch of the tree—

He looked above him.

The branch sat there, at its place, high and mighty.

"Did you see what happened?" he asked Touya urgently. Touya shook his head.

"I was off trying to find deer to kill and the next thing I know, you're on the ground. What happened?" he asked Yukito.

Yukito looked up at the tree branch once more and then at Touya.

Are you trying to get yourself killed?

"I'm not sure," he told Touya. And he wasn't sure.

But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
'Cause I'm Mr Brightside