Disclaimer: blah x3
Past
Li's wedding proposal popped out from a storybook; romantic setting, the proper ritual of proposing and tons of fluffy love. It came a day after the duo survived the final attack from the void card and needless to say, Tomoyo squealed in delight as she lapped up the proposal with her video camera.
Many would have deemed such antics as childish play, scoffed at the belittlement of the sacred ceremony that brought about the union of a couple. Yet the Li family picked promising brides young precisely because heirs have to get married at the age of 16, in which they would become the next clan leader.
Innocent and rather naïve back then, severity of marriage and responsibilities thereafter were not heavily considered. She also forgot to factor in Touya, who would definitely bay for blood, if he could even prevent himself from dying from a heart attack.
Blushing deep scarlet, Sakura nodded bashfully as she accepted his proposal.
Sakura Kinomoto was engaged to Li Xiao Lang at the age of 12.
"Have those faxed to Mr Xiang before our meeting this afternoon."
"Certainly young master." Wang replied before adding, "Mistress Li requests for your presence right after your meeting."
Mother probably wants to discuss about the final wedding preparations.
Xiao Lang nodded and began engaging his personal assistant in rapid Mandarin as Wang updated him on his packed agenda. Footsteps and voices echoed the long hallway as the duo made their way to the west wing. The Li Manor was huge after all.
An oak door swung open and Xiao Lang was momentarily distracted by the emergence of Sakura. Wang gave a knowing smile as he left the pair alone, not before greeting the soon to be young mistress.
It has been four years since his proposal under that huge Sakura tree in Penguin Park. Looking back, Xiao Lang had to admit that it was not the most romantic of places to propose. The park was not that pristine and other children hanging out at the playground a distance away were making a racket. Xiao Lang, being rather young and romantically challenged then, consulted a guidebook in which it advised the most romantic venue to be one that the couple spent much time together. The park, which was the place where the duo spent quite a lot of time catching and converting clow cards, was hence chosen.
The proposal was not well received by Sakura's family and it was by sheer luck that consent was given. Touya, in particular, was frothing in the mouth when his sister burst into the house with the gaki in tow, radiating happiness on an unimaginable scale with an unmistakable diamond ring on her finger, in which he fervently prayed to kami and all things holy that it was a joke as that damned ring seemed to signify-
"- A MARRIAGE PROPOSAL? YOU ACCEPTED IT?"
"Of course." Sakura had the gall to squeal and hug the asshole, "Both of you will be brother-in-laws!"
Before the proposal, Xiao Lang had come to accept the harsh reality that in a marriage, it was inevitable to be saddled with certain undesirables. Unfortunately, Touya did not come to such an understanding.
"NO WAY IN HELL IS THAT GOING TO BE POSSIBLE!" Touya snapped as he shot Xiao Lang the dirtiest glare he could ever muster, "TAKE OFF THAT DAMN THING NOW!"
Touya's aggressive opposition against their marriage lasted for a week. He went as far as trapping his sister in her room, declaring that she rejects that gaki's proposal lest spending her entire life staring at walls. In the process of his tantrum, Touya gained Kero as a valuable ally.
The guardian went into its own state of shock upon hearing the 'bad' news and vowed that he would never acknowledge the brat as its master. Both guardian and brother hence began operation break-the-engagement-and-murder-the-brat without much success.
Kero should have seen the proposal a mile away, albeit not that soon. Then again, it was always in a state of denial.
The soft toy was promptly sedated with a jug full of sugar before temporarily depositing it at Eriol's abode. Touya, on the other hand, was tricked into drinking strong liquor laced with sleeping pills for extra measure. Sakura flew to the Li Manor in China within the two days that Touya was knocked out, where rigorous testing was carried out in order to determine the eligibility of Xiao Lang's choice.
Yue, as stoic as ever, merely gave his mistress a terse nod before resuming his role as the family gargoyle. The job of the guardian was just to protect and obey his mistress. Guardians should not interfere with their mistress's private life. Kero, Yue viewed, was breaching boundaries.
Like any other concerned parent, Sakura's father had numerous reservations.
Sure, Xiao Lang was a fine lad who was definitely boyfriend material. Marriage at such a young age, on the other hand, was an entirely different matter.
Sakura's father could foresee the obstacles his daughter had to over come. The Lis were an aristocratic-like family who lived in a different world from normal people, be it perceptions or practices. Sakura would have a tough time adapting.
Faced with such troubling thoughts, he could not give Sakura his blessings when she broke the news to them. Yet, he could not bring himself to object to their engagement. Dragging his prospective son-in-law into his study, Sakura's father began questioning Xiao Lang on his future plans. Thereafter, he took several days to mull over his decision, while Touya and Kero waged war.
His ghost of a wife gave her approval and proceeded to influence him onto her side. Ghosts have it all relaxed, Fujitaka thought wistfully as Nadeshiko began to fantasize about grandchildren.
Realities were not a burden to the dead.
Not that he would say it out loud of course. His wife, ghost or not, could still order him to sleep on the couch.
A week later, Fujitaka finally agreed to this marriage and steeled himself mentally for the verbal onslaught his elder son would definitely unleash, after he woke up from his drug induced slumber.
He had convinced himself that Sakura, as a sorceress, as Clow's daughter, was fated mature earlier than others. As Fujitaka bade the couple goodbye with Touya and Kero slumped unceremoniously across the couch in the background, he silently prayed that Sakura would not buckle under what the stress she would soon face.
As Fujikata had feared, Sakura was plunged into a totally new world. The elders had accepted Sakura due to her overwhelming potential in sorcery. Other qualities that were essential to for a heiress however, were sorely lacking.
Education, or re-education rather, was an immediate necessity.
Just a week after the elders' approval, Sakura was back in Japan dealing with paperwork, sending boxes of raiment and essentials to China, covering her tracks, in preparation for her permanent stay at the Li Manor, her education that would span for four years till the day she officially become a Li. Sakura's engagement was kept under wraps to avoid the media and speculation.
Like a commoner that ascended into royalty, adaptation did not come easy. As the promising young mistress to the Li Empire, Sakura needed to compel to strict intellectual requirements.
Sakura was merely an average student back in Japan, thus the sudden influx of knowledge posed a great deal of strain.
First came the emphasis of values, where the mantra of reproduction of heirs was repeatedly hammered into her brain throughout her four years of intensive education. Language was a fast second, where mandarin was taught as the first language. English and Japanese were also stressed. Subsequently, etiquette, deeper aspects of sorcery and swordplay, diplomacy, arts and science were taught.
It was safe to say that almost everything about her needed to be altered, be it mannerisms or appearances. Yet demanding as it was, Sakura's resolve was evident as she managed to live up to expectations, proof that her love for Xiao Lang was not a mere infatuation.
There was only one problem which surfaced recently.
As Xiao Lang observed her blank expression at present, he realised that the problem was resurfacing once more.
"You just had that lesson again, didn't you?" Xiao Lang murmured, caressing her cheek gently.
Sakura's vacant expression gave way to distress as she clasped her hands over his, "I just don't understand why I have to attend that lesson."
The study of swordplay comprised of many modules, one of which was human autonomy. The knowledge of where vital organs are, where major arteries lie, in order to strike with precision.
In other words, she was learning how to kill efficiently.
"Just bear with it. The last module needs to be completed before the wedding ceremony can formally proceed."
"It's horrible Xiao Lang. They even told me what the victims will be experiencing when struck at various points." Sakura whispered, "It's so wrong… I am actually sanctioned to kill."
The Li heir sighed as he proceeded to pull her into his arms in order to provide some form of reassurance and mental support. The sound of approaching footsteps however, snapped the couple out of their private world as they quickly pulled apart.
'PDA', commonly known as 'public display of affection', was not allowed. They were supposed to set an example after all.
It turned out to be Xiao Yu, Sakura's personal assistant, bearing good news.
"Miss Kinomoto, your family has arrived and they wish for your presence."
Sakura's visage brightened considerably at the prospect of seeing her family, who was here for the wedding that was occurring in two weeks time. Unable to contain her excitement, she gave Xiao Yu a brief hug, bade both goodbye before scurrying off in the opposite direction.
"I know the elders will not be too pleased with such attitude but do keep mum about it." Xiao Lang requested with an amused smile as he stared at the startled maid who was fidgeting slightly, "She hasn't seen her family for half a year."
Xiao Yu bowed slightly as she acknowledged the young master's words. Unlike other servants who would dismiss themselves instantly, she lingered for a few seconds more before voicing her opinion in low, humbled tones, all while casting a respectful distance away from the young master.
"Her cheery personality may be discouraged by the elders, but little one feels that it isn't as bad as they perceive."
As he watched Xiao Yu disappear down the corridor, Xiao Lang could not help but feel proud of Sakura. Over the past years, her personality despite being watered down greatly still had a profound impact on the staff. Sakura was injecting new life into the daily mechanical routines in the household.
Their big day was a grand affair.
Morning came the congregation of Lis, from the eldest down to the youngest. Gathered in the ceremonial hall, they stood in sombre silence as they witness the ancient ritual being carried out. A sacred ritual; performed only by clan leaders on the day of their marriage.
A pair of intricately designed bracelets was created through the fusion of sorcery and blood from the couple's nicked thumbs. Irremovable once it was clasped on, it served as a reminder to both parties of their duties and devotion towards each other.
The day carried on with the traditional Chinese tea ceremony. It was a long drawn affair which portrayed the stark difference in family size. Fujikata, who was revered by the Li family due to his half incarnate, represented the sole elder on the bride's side.
Xiao Lang's extended family on the other hand was huge. Elder after elder, the stream of old cronies accepting tea and bestowing long words of wisdom upon the two youngsters was incessant. When it came to Xiao Lang's great grand aunts, the couple could feel their feet no longer.
The dinner operated on a massive scale as well.
The media, determined to feed tabloids with juicy gossip, flanked the couple with numerous camera flashes and reports. Number of tables broke the two hundred mark, which was unsurprising as Xiao Lang's extended family filled up a quarter of those tables. The couple entertained a never ending flow of guests, many of which were businessmen of partner companies.
After surviving the entire day, Sakura came to a realisation that the matrimony symbolised the first of many things. It was the first time her status became young mistress Li, the very first time she was exposed to the media glare, and the very first time that Sakura was sharing a room with Xiao Lang, much to Touya's disdain.
That could be the reason why Touya still retained the evil eye when addressing his brother-in-law during the wedding dinner. Kero was too busy feasting on one of the chairs, partially concealed by the table cloth. Yukito sat next to Touya with his signature smile, with Yue staying ever vigilant somewhere in a corner of the ballroom.
"You listen well gaki." Touya spoke through gritted teeth, "If you dare to hurt her, or upset her… I will personally fly from Japan to wring your neck."
"Don't worry! I'll be your eyes." Kero piped, grinding his mini feast to a halt, "You will definitely receive news from me if he dare bulge a toe out of line."
Xiao Lang rolled his eyes and chose to direct his vision at someone less exasperating instead, namely Sakura. Dressed in a stunning blue evening gown, Sakura looked breathtakingly beautiful among the sea of formal wear. The front ages tomorrow would definitely be a sight.
"Sakura looks as ravishing like her mother back then."
"Father."
Fujikata chuckled and laid a comforting hand on Xiao Lang's shoulder, "That's too formal. Call me dad instead. We're a family now aren't we?"
"Ah…Dad."
That word felt foreign on his lips yet strangely heart warming.
"I hope it isn't too late. I wish to give both of you my blessings." Fujikata gazed at his daughter, "I'm putting her in your hands. Protect her in my stead."
Xiao Lang smiled and bowed deeply.
"Hai."
"Like I said, you shouldn't be too formal." Fujikata chided lightly, fully aware of Xiao Lang's strict upbringing, "Both of you should return to Japan after Sakura has settled in. It's been so long since the two of you visited us. It would be good to take a break from your duties isn't it?"
"Hai, we look forward to our trip back to Japan."
Three days.
That was the length of time taken for the flow of events to take an abrupt turn.
It came unexpectedly, struck swiftly, and left a devastating trail of destruction.
The couple was notified of the bad, albeit brief, news on the second day of their honey moon half way across the globe. Such news came in the form of an overseas call, in which the news was deemed so severe that the couple immediately left for China via portal.
China was under attack.
Upon reaching the Li Manor, the couple began to learn about the situation.
Apparently, self-proclaimed death eaters have invaded Asia in which it was considered to be their largest operation to date. Though their motives were unclear, the elders suspected it to be an expansion of territory.
As much as the Lis did not want to admit, they were caught unprepared. Times of peace brought about not only prosperity, but complacency as well. Organized strikes carried out at wee hours in the night reflected months of careful planning on the death eaters' part.
Li sorcerers have been dispatched to deal with the enemy in various provinces and thus the situation in China was under control.
The situation in some other Asian countries however, was an entirely different matter.
Despite the great prowess of sorcerers, it is possible to overpower normal sorcerers with sheer number. Adding to the fact that sorcerers were few in number, shortage of manpower was an issue.
Without any resistance posed to the death eaters, other countries quickly fell to the enemy in less than six hours.
"Other than China, Korea and Japan was under attack as well. The Casualties keep rising. We do not have an exact figure yet." Wang reported to the couple while the background reflected a flurry of activity.
"Which part-" Sakura asked in a deathly whisper, "- of Japan was attacked?"
Wang faltered, hesitated for a couple of seconds before retaining his composure.
"Tokyo and it's surrounding provinces… including Tomoeda."
The attack took up many pages in newspapers worldwide the following day, on August 26th. Pictures of bulldozed villages and deceased were splashed across the front pages. Demands from those mysterious invaders were reported in the remaining pages.
Through the media, normal muggle folk were exposed to magic for the very first time.
As muggles worldwide struggled to accept the existence and the threat of magic, death eaters were geared up for another war.
Further fortifying their newly acquired bases, their commander Voldermort finalised plans to take over both Korea and Japan. Riding on the wave of recent victories, the death eaters' were fired up, determined to use any means to fulfil their goal.
The invasion signified a new dawn, probably the bleakest chapter of Asian muggle history.
"Don't do it Sakura!"
"Release me! Before I do something drastic, both of you better scram!"
Xiao Lang managed to find his wife and her two guardians in an isolated part of the manor. Entering the room, he was stunned to find them engaged in a fierce argument in front of an open portal. Upon closer inspection, the clan leader realised Kerberos was trying to restrain his mistress while Yue was struggling to stand in his weakened state.
Unable to comprehend what the hell was going on, Xiao Lang demanded for an explanation.
"Sakura is attempting to return back in time!" Kerberos grated out between clenched teeth, "Yue interfered when Sakura activated the Time card. In a moment of fury, she almost sealed him back into card form if I hadn't stepped in."
Sakura yanked her sleeve out of the lion's mouth as she justified her actions in somewhat forcibly controlled manner.
"I need to find out what exactly happened."
Kerberos spat out the torn fabric and responded with a low growl, "Look Sakura, I would have no qualms if you are in a rational state of mind. But right now…"
"The probability of mistress tampering with past events is high." Yue rasped, "That is against the law of nature."
Sakura slammed her palm on the table, her countenance contorted into an expression of fury as angry tears began to flow.
"Do you think that matters? Otou-san and onii-chan are dead! And I am only told that they were murdered by those… those bstards!"
She sank to the ground, holding the helm her skirt tightly as she cried.
"What's the use of having all this power when I can't even protect them?"
Xiao Lang felt his heart clench painfully having shared his wife's sorrow. Kneeling down in front of her, he stroked Sakura's hair gently as she buried her tear-stained face into his chest.
"The soft toy and I will accompany you back in time."
Despite knowing that severe consequences would result from his decision, Xiao Lang decided to throw all caution to the wind and plunge head on into the mess.
"Yue, you shall stay behind and recuperate. Please do not let anyone know of our trip back in time."
Yue's eyes shone with confusion.
"Master, this is not appropriate."
"I'm aware that this trip back in time may go against the law of nature. I shall try to ensure that tampering is avoided." Xiao Lang replied.
"But-"
Xiao Lang began to teach the first of his many lessons to his newly acquired guardian.
"Incredible as it sounds, sorcerers are a cursed lot. Piled up with much burdens, we exist for the sake of others and not for ourselves. And audaciously speaking, we are also often looked up as gods, as divine beings."
Perfect and infallible.
"As such, many tend to forget that we are actually human and thus denied us an outlet to express our emotions. Sakura isn't allowed to express her sorrow publicly as she is regarded as the sorceress, a pillar of support for both mortals and world order."
"…"
"Perhaps… going through such great lengths to express her grief is Sakura's way of emphasizing that she is still human."
Time was wounded back 72 hours earlier, when Tomoeda was under attack.
After experiencing a whirlwind of time magic, the trio stepped out of the portal and found themselves in a dark alley situated in some part of Tomoeda. The world was coloured sepia; a temporary side-effect of the time card.
Realising that the alley was located three streets away from her abode, Sakura sprung forwarded and attempted to exit the alley, when she felt a sharp tug. Yelping in surprise, she tumbled into Xiao Lang's arms and felt herself being pulled behind a container for cover. Kero was grabbed unceremoniously in the face and pulled along as well.
"Someone is entering the alley." Xiao Lang spoke in a loud whisper, ignoring Kero's muffled protests.
It turned out to be a group of 20 cloaked figures looking relatively worse for wear. Nursing deep gashes and burn wounds, they stumbled into the alley panting and swearing.
"Damn it!" cried one whose fried cloak was torn off in order to make a makeshift bandage, "We're seriously outnumbered! Why haven't reinforcements arrived?"
A figure, radiating authority despite his disheveld state, stepped out to maintain order.
"The ministry isn't dispatching any. Under Prime Minister Fudge's orders, we are recalled back to increase security around landmark areas in Hogsmeade. The Prime Minister is worried that the Death Eaters may spring a surprise attack."
"So we are leaving those people in the lurch?"
"It's unavoidable." The leader replied as he signalled his men to prepare for apparation, "Does your loyalty lie towards the Prime Minister or some foreign land?"
"Of course-"
The auror's indignant response was cut off by a series of 'pops' and there was no sign of those cloaked figures left in the vicinity.
Distant cries and screams were not as overwhelming as the deafening silence that settled like a thick fog in the alley.
This silence, Kero noted, was not entirely due to the absence of those cloaked people.
"You mean…. those wizards just abandoned Tomoeda like that." Sakura trembled in anger, starting to lose control as the air cackled with sorcery, "Those cold-hearted bstards!"
Kero stared at his mistress with dread.
Less than five minutes into their trip back in time, Sakura was already losing it. The guardian could not phantom what could happen should they proceed further.
Latching onto Sakura's arm, he tried to snap Sakura out of her tirade. Her sorcery was starting to create friction with the time magic.
Travelling back in time was fragile business. Tampering with it would lead to instability and Kero had no desire of experiencing the possible consequences.
"Sakura! Snap out of it! "
There was no favourable reaction. Kero scowled and turned to Xiao Lang.
"Damn it gaki! Help snap…"
In that split second, Kero saw that look on the gaki's face before restrain kicked in and shifted back to his concerned visage.
Kero blinked.
Great.
Now he had two beyond pissed sorcerers. That look on the gaki's face promised great agony for that Fudge guy.
I knew that this trip wasn't a good idea.
Kero stuffed his thoughts aside as Xiao Lang attempted the get Sakura to regain her bearings to no avail.
Instead, she tore out of the alley and onto the main street, disappearing round the corner. Cursing, the remaining duo gave chase and spotted her frozen still a couple of feet away. Looking ahead, their pupils dilated as they went into various degrees of shock.
"Holy shit."
The sepia coloured scene was fading back into its original tones, making the trio see red.
Literally.
It was not just due to raging infernos that swallowed anything in its pathway, creating a dull red glow against the darkening sky.
The street was splattered, covered, awash with blood, littered with stray corpses.
Hell on earth gained a totally new meaning.
Sakura sped towards the nearest victim and doubled over upon witnessing the mutilated body. Vacant orbs stared straight back at her screaming injustice.
Sakura could take it no longer.
Collapsing over to the side path, she promptly threw up as those gory scenes replayed repeatedly. Kero, whose face was white as sheet, hovered worriedly over her. Strong arms lifted Sakura to her feet shakily after retrenching.
"That's enough Sakura."
Coughing, Sakura protested vehemently, "Not till I've found Otou-san and Nii-chan." Her eyes reflected faint determination. "Having gone so far, I won't just give up like this."
"But Sakura! You're already losing it!" Kero tried to knock some sense into her, "If you proceed further, you'll really lose it and probably create some sort of unredeemable situation!"
Sakura did not reply and proceeded forward defiantly.
Xiao Lang, who ultimately decided to abide by her wishes, held her hand firmly and led her through the bloody carnage, with an exasperated Kero trailing closely behind
As the trio approached the Kinomoto's residence, many things became evident. Houses were increasing consumed by oncoming fires due to strong gusts of wind. The scent of death became steadily pungent as the body count increased. The nauseating smell of blood was intoxicating and was starting to cause Sakura's head to throb terribly.
Insane laughter followed by a series of explosions were heard as they drew nearer to their destination. It acted as a catalyst to move faster as the group broke into a run.
Face turning into deathly pallor, Sakura willed her weakened legs to push beyond limits.
Just a little more! Just turn left into the next street and-
For the umpteenth time, her mind was blown way by the sheer devastation of what had greeted her.
Dozens of death eaters have swamped this stretched of Tomoeda, initiating fresh attacks on the residents. Spells rained onto the unfortunate, rupturing vessels, puncturing lungs, amputating limbs, breaking numerous bones, causing grievous bodily harm to the victims. Those clinging desperately to life were tortured by death eaters who emitted malicious laughter while casting a green beam Sakura would later come to know as the Cruciatus spell.
Not for the first time, Sakura wondered if she was experiencing some sort of nightmare.
Yamada-san.
Iruzu-san.
Himanaka-san.
The sight of familiar faces among the deceased triggered something within her.
Before she could even register anything coherently, Sakura found herself a good many feet from her original position, standing by a slain death eater with a bloodied blade in hand.
Looking around blankly, she saw charred remains of a number death eater scattered around her.
What…
The sinking feeling within felt as if she had done something terrible.
Barely aware of the rod of polished steel in her hands, Sakura frantically tried to justify why her heart pounded so hard against her chest, why her body felt so numb, when her line of vision was set far and fell onto two mutilated bodies lying outside her house.
Standing many feet way, the remaining duo was paying dearly for their moment of negligence.
Like Sakura, they were, for lack of better word, sickened by the sight.
Kero felt like he was reliving an old memory; a war that Clow Reed was involved many centuries ago. Turning rather green, Kero realised that he would not be able to ingest anything for the next couple of days.
At the corner of his eye, the soft toy spotted Xiao Lang clenching the large glass bead which he wore round his wrist tightly. Any further pressure applied and Kero was damn sure Xiao Lang would no longer have a sword.
Rage fleeted past Xiao Lang's face and Kero swore that his skin/fur/hair was prickling, which meant that the gaki was losing it as well.
Not good!
Thankfully, the gaki's training was kicking in as sorcery ruthlessly suppressed back into his body.
Relief, however, quickly changed into horror.
Within that tens of seconds of stabilizing negative emotions, they failed to keep an eye on Sakura.
Occurring in an instant, she flickered from view and appeared several feet away, her sword impaled deeply into a death eater's heart. Concurrently, several death eaters nearby shrieked in agony as they burst into flames, fiery card activated.
Kero's blood froze.
A taboo was committed.
Sakura had tampered with time.
"OTOU-SAN! NII-CHAN!"
A wave of sorcery slammed into Kero as Sakura unleashed her staff, tearing down the street, hell bent on killing those death eaters who were hovering over her fallen family.
Preparing to blast them into oblivion, she was stopped suddenly by a vice grip round her waist.
"Sakura! You can't do this!"
Her head whipped round and her tear stained face contorted into shock followed by pure rage.
"LET ME GO XIAO LANG!"
She struggled hard, clawing his arm viciously as more tears streamed down her cheeks. God there was so much blood; the entire town was literally painted in red. The stench of blood assaulted her senses and she felt the urge to throw up once more.
"Sakura!" Xiao Lang tightened his hold on her.
Her tear stained gaze revealed the torture Xiao Lang was going through. Trails of tears streaking down his face were solid proof.
The Lis never shed tears even in the most crucial of times.
Such proof meant that his will was shattered. His emotions probably even more wrangled than hers. Guilty perhaps, that he was stopping her when all he wanted to do was to decipate as many bstards as he could.
But all Sakura cared at that instant was blood…
Blood.
Blood.
So much blood covered her family members…
She needed to save them!
Mustering all her strength, she miraculously broke free of Xiao Lang's grasp and sped towards them once more.
Only to find that she could not move.
She had seen this spell too many times – it was a strong binding spell cast by Xiao Lang.
In blinding rage, she yelled an incantation creating a reckless burst of power, counteracting his binding spell.
Caught off guard, Xiao Lang slammed hard against a tree and collapsed at the base. Breathing heavily, he felt an unpleasant, burning feeling at his chest. His body protested against movement as he moved to a sitting position, ignoring the pain coursing through his veins.
Eyes widening all of a sudden, Xiao Lang's right hand shot to wards his mouth as he coughed out blood.
Kero was squealing in panic.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but DON'T DIE ON ME GAKI!"
Through the haze of pain, Xiao Lang caught an apologetic gaze flickering in Sakura's emerald orbs for the briefest of moments before rage consumed her once more. Raising her summoned staff, Sakura called out to Dark and commanded it to crush the death eaters in most brutal of ways, which was essentially to crush their souls.
"You shouldn't have gone easy on her you baka!" Kero ranted, "With her current mental state, you should be aware that Sakura will not hesitate to pull out the big guns should anyone obstructs her!"
Treating Kero's ranting as part of background noise, he pressed his sides gingerly all while keeping an eye on the situation which seemed to have taken a sudden turn once more.
Light seemed to have gone against Sakura's wishes as it appeared in a holy glow, nullifying Dark's attack with a blinding flash before both cards faded away, much to Sakura's displeasure.
Unable to understand the reasons to Light's disloyalty, enraged by the numerous obstructions and heavily in denial that those two bodies slumped outside her house were her once breathing relatives, posed great stress to Sakura's mind.
Together with the stench of blood and death intoxicating her, she snapped.
Screaming herself hoarse, sorcery practically erupted from Sakura, pulsing erratically.
Death Eaters, whose bodies were unconditioned to strong bursts of sorcery, literally exploded from where they stood, baptising the streets with showers of guts and blood.
It was a horrifying spectacle to witness, even more so when it was Sakura who executed them in such brutal fashion.
Deep tremors snapped Xiao Lang back to his senses.
"Sakura's sorcery is conflicting with the time card!" Kero yelled above the din, " If this keeps up, it will become highly unstable and we might get stuck in this time frame or past events might just be altered on it's own or..."
The soft toy paused and took a huge breath before bellowing, "PERMENANT DAMAGE IS GOING TO CAUSE UNIMAGINABLE CONSEQUENCES!"
Rows of houses lining the streets were starting to crumble to dust. Death Eaters further down the street were still being disposed in sprays of entrails. Sakura was standing in a 40 feet crater that was slowly expanding as large chunks of ground cement disintegrated due to the enlarging vortex of sorcery which was spiralling wildly.
It would not be long before Tomoeda became a vast piece of ruin land.
Discreetly coughing up more blood, Xiao Lang stood up unsteadily, biting down a wince when his insides felt like they were torn apart. Summoning just minimal amounts of sorcery, Xiao Lang glowed faintly before announcing his decision to Kero.
"I'm going to stop her."
"Are you crazy? That little amount of sorcery is not going to have any effect. You will probably die in your current state!"
"If I summon an equivalent amount to counteract Sakura's sorcery, there'll definitely be permanent damage."
"But if you're killed in your valiant attempt," Kero rebutted sarcastically, "Sakura will blame herself for your death! She-"
Leaving the soft toy behind, Xiao Lang rushed towards the eye of the storm, ignoring the numerous fresh wounds caused by baring the brunt of Sakura's power.
I guess such minimal amount of sorcery is not much of protection.
"Sakura!" Xiao Lang shouted, attempting with great difficulty to reach Sakura, "You've to stop releasing your sorcery!"
"DEMO, THEY KILLED OTOU-SAN AND NII-CHAN AND YAMADA-SAN AND… and…!"
His head was starting to spin while his limbs were becoming heavily. Spewing expletives, Xiao Lang made a grab for Sakura and succeeded in doing so.
"Dad and Touya would be upset to learn that you went on a killing rampage!" Xiao Lang shook her shoulders roughly, "Weren't you highly troubled when you attended the module on human autonomy?"
"Demo…"
"I'll try, Sakura." Xiao Lang whispered, blood from a head wound affecting his vision, "I know it's not enough, but I'll pick up where they have left off."
Uncontrolled sorcery dissipated in an instant as Sakura fell onto the ground, dissolved into tears. Embracing her tightly, Xiao Lang tried to dampen the flare of pain building rapidly within.
"Let's go home."
Nodding slowly, Sakura recoiled in horror when reality struck and realised what she had done.
"Did I…"
The look on Xiao Lang's face needed no further confirmation.
Biting her lip, she activated the Erase card, clearing blood, guts and slain death eaters off the ruined street.
Other victims, untouched by Sakura's uncontrolled burst, were left alone.
They needed a proper burial and Sakura knew that the Japanese authorities would provide them with one after their investigations in Tomoeda.
Tendrils from the clown like spirit stretched further down to the next street, erasing the remnants of the death eater's annihilation.
An animalistic cry caught the attention of the couple, while Sakura felt the spirit wrapping her tendrils around the limbs of something living, in a bid to deny it's existence.
In an instance, Sakura cancelled her summon, and the trio ran to the source of the cry.
A female death eater, the only survivor due to Xiao Lang's timely interruption with Sakura's extermination, was collapsed in a heap, shrieking in agony from her mangled limbs and the horror of witnessing the gruesome death of a particular death eater – Lucius Malfoy.
From the looks of it, she was losing her mind fast.
"Let her be a warning to those death eaters." Sakura muttered darkly, wiping the tear streaks off her face. "If those bstards attack Asia again, they'll be facing a fate worse than death!"
Sudden strong tremors rocked Tomoeda, reminding Sakura the harsh fact that she had committed a taboo. Petrified, she deactivated her cards and staff, clearly aware of the dangers they are facing.
"The time card is becoming more unstable. We-"
Sakura stopped abruptly when Xiao Lang pitched into her lap without warning.
"Xiao Lang?" Sakura began to go hysterical when he laid unmoving, "Xiao Lang!"
Chest contracting tightly, it began to dawn onto her that Xiao Lang suffered massive damage in his attempt to stop her. Guilt increased by ten folds when she surveyed his grievous injuries. Tears flowed once more as she tried to rouse him, notions of death rearing it's ugly head.
"The gaki will really die if we delay any longer!" Kerberos, now in his fully morphed form, landed next the couple, "We need to get him out of here and seek medical attention fast!"
Nodding tearfully, she slung his hand over her shoulders and placed his limp body onto her guardian's back before climbing on.
Emitting a thunderous roar, Kerberos flapped his wings powerfully, rose into the sky and sped towards the alley where the portal was located.
Newspapers delivered on August 26th, the day after the attack, reported no abnormalities, with the usual political speeches and weather reports swamping the papers.
Time had been altered.
Drastically.
Death Eaters were supposed to murder hundreds, proclaim victory over areas of Japan and Korea, finalise plans to conquer entire countries with authorities cowering at their feet.
The trip back in time had driven a wedge in time, disrupting 'Operation Muggle Slaughter', eliminating a good portion of the Dark Lord's forces, forcing Voldermort to pull out all his remaining troops as a precaution.
Narcissa was retrieved before Aurors flooded Tomoeda once more, trying to determine the credibility of the rumour that death eaters in Tomoeda were dealt with. Upon receiving confirmation, Fudge ordered the biggest cover up in century.
Most aurors involved in this operation of thwarting muggle memories were merely told the usual reason of every cover up; they were picking up the pieces after the death eaters attack, erasing memories to avoid muggles stumbling onto the existence of wizards.
All damage property from the death eaters' attacks were to be restored to their former glory. Deceased were burnt to ashes and their existences were removed from the memories of relatives. Survivors too had their memory altered and great care was taken when dealing with the authorities and media in ensuring that news of the attacks had not reached their ears.
There was no probe on the attack, no investigation to find out the reason for Voldermort's unnatural retreat. Fudge did not warrant one, and those on the ground were just keen on finishing their impossible job of covering up the attack in a couple of days.
Fortunately, most of Kero's fears were unfounded. There was no tear in time nor or any adverse effects on past events as the time card managed to recover slightly from Sakura's forbidden act. The card however, could not be summoned any longer. Should tampering of time with or without sorcery occur once more, time would definitely plunge into dire crisis.
Time travel was to be avoided at all cost.
He was really lucky to be alive.
With such a long list of nearly fatal injuries, the family doctor emphasized, young master would certainly have died if he were any lesser sorcerer.
His diagnosis did not ease Sakura's anxiety. In fact, she felt even worse when Xiao Lang showed no signs of stirring on his fifth day of slumber.
The doctor remarked it as a state of unconsciousness, essential for recuperation. Kero felt that the gaki sank into a coma.
Xiao Lang's condition was kept under tight wraps when the trio managed to escape back to present time, with only the elders, some extended relatives, Yelan and a couple of maids were aware of it.
Yue thankfully kept his mouth shut when Kerberos emerged the portal with a roar, with Sakura holding onto a battered looking Xiao Lang.
Instead, Yue wisely went to look for help.
He came back with Yelan and Meiling rushing in seconds after. Yelan took one look at her son and ordered her shocked niece to get medical attention immediately. Xiao Lang was then ferried to a remote bedroom away from prying eyes.
Alteration of past events could only be detected by sorcerers and unfortunately, most sorcerers in the world were concentrated in Li's extended family. Efficient as usual, they reported their findings to the elders and the trio's little misadventure was brought to light in an hour.
The elders were obviously livid. Sakura had almost killed their clan leader through her reckless actions. Four years of training gone to waste, Sakura let emotions get the better of her and committed a taboo.
Yet Sakura did not pay close attention to their harsher than usual dronings or their threats of punishment and probation or anything else. All she did was to sit by Xiao Lang's bed for days, clasping his hand, silently praying for his speedy recovery. She ate and slept very little, leaving his side only when necessary.
Kero sighed when Xiao Yu cleared an untouched lunch, after failed urges to get her young mistress to ingest something.
"Sakura, you are going to break down if you carry on with your obstinate behaviour."
Sakura shifted hair off Xiao Lang's face before dull emerald eyes flickered towards the soft toy, "Kero… I've been thinking."
The room lapsed into a moment of silence as Sakura's gaze lingered on Xiao Lang's still form.
"Those wizards… those cold-blooded murderers, I'll never forgive them."
And Sakura never spoke anything else till two days later, when her husband finally woke up on the seventh day.
Dull, bloodshot eyes having a spark of life for the first time in days, Sakura held his hand against her cheek as tears were shed once more.
"That's a relief."
With a load off her mind, heavy eyelids closed, head coming into contact with the bed as she sank into an exhausted sleep.
Deaths of her relatives were not easily forgotten.
Sakura would fall into severe depression following Xiao Lang's recovery, plagued by nightmares, fulfilling her duties in low spirits like an empty shell without a soul.
She would only snap out of her depression half a year later, when she realised that Xiao Lang had been covering for her, enduring scathing comments from elders of her lack of ability to perform satisfactorily.
Deciding to end her wilful behaviour, Sakura would shove her grief and hatred to the depths of her heart, and started to tackle her responsibilities with a colder than usual demeanour, her cheery personality almost non-existent, fulfilling the ideal Li bride the elders hand in mind.
Nearly two years after Sakura recovered from her depression, wizards would attempt to contact the rumoured sorcerers, which led to, what Kero would say in his drunken escapade, all this shit that happened.
But right now, it was a time for mourning.
Two weeks after Xiao Lang had fully recuperated, the couple flew to Tokyo and took a coach to Tomoeda, where they erected two tombs on a densely vegetated hill in secret.
Xiao Lang balled his fist tightly as Sakura broke down in front of the graves.
After giving the couple a dressing down, the elders had warned them to avoid wizards at all cost in order to prevent further complications.
He would obey the relics' instructions.
But if there came a time where an opportunity presents itself, he would not hesitate to seek vengeance.
I swear it upon my honour.
End of Part 11
Side story
For six months now, the manor staff was fed with an excuse of the young mistress's long absence.
Xiao Yu, however, was not most staff. Being chosen from a group of sixty to be the young mistress's personal assistant, her sharp mind certainly did not believe that the young mistress was shipped off to a foreign land for continuation of manor mistress training just days after her marriage as a viable excuse.
Yet as observant as she was, Xiao Yu, for the life of her, could not justify to the underlying tension that has pervaded throughout the manor. This tension was particularly evident whenever the young master met the elders – the elders would always leave the room harsher and more irritable than usual while the young master's foul mood drove lesser staff to the corners of the manor.
Today, the manor was inundated with tension once more. Wang was trailing behind a visibly angered young master. The elders would exit the room in a couple of minutes with her in full view.
Xiao Yu turned her heel and strode off briskly.
Questions could wait. Survival was paramount.
Upon entering their temporary living quarters in the restricted section of the manor, Xiao Lang was undoubtedly surprised when he was greeted with a spark of life instead of dull, vacant orbs. He was nevertheless delighted when Sakura's lips stretched wider than her usual tired smile.
Her depression was finally lifting.
"The elders were on my case weren't they? What did they say this time round?"
Xiao Lang shrugged off his blazer as his temper flared. If the old farts were going to utter "lacking", "incompetent", "failure" –not necessarily in that order- once more, he was going to do something, elders or not.
"Nothing new," Xiao Lang responded neutrally as Sakura got off the bed and approached him, "Just ignore the old goats. Like Meiling said, they are just a waste of resources."
Sakura studied her husband intently for the longest time before resting her head at the crook of his neck. Eyelids fluttering to a close, Sakura wrapped her arms round his neck as Xiao Lang circled her waist in mild confusion. Even after so long, Xiao Lang had not recuperated enough to have full control of his sorcery. To think that she was that close to killing her husband six months ago… and he was now taking the rap for her absence.
"Sakura. Wha-"
"Baka, you're all I've left now," Sakura murmured, hints of moisture prickling the edges of her eyes, "For you, I'll be strong."
Five days ago, the young mistress resurfaced. The changes in her were stark.
The junior staff, intimidated by the young mistress's sudden change, tended to gossip about her in servant quarters where they hold a misconception their walls had no ears. Her emerald gaze, they whispered loudly, was piercing, at times bordered unforgiving. Her reprimands, some would add, though soft in volume were no less harsh and critical.
Something must have happened during her six months of absence. There was no way an individual's personality could undergo such great change overnight.
Xiao Yu snapped out of her musing as a resounding crash echoed the hall.
Staring at the shattered vase pieces by the foot of a trembling staff, the young mistress's cold gaze flickered to Xiao Yu before walking off.
Xiao Yu bowed in acknowledgement; the young mistress entrusted her to handle this matter. Chen Li, an elderly woman who had committed a string of errors in the past months, with this incident as the final nail to the coffin.
Chen Li was the sole breadwinner of her family. As pitiful her plight may be, Chen Li had to be dismissed.
Those were the house rules.
Two days later, she received word from the young mistress to maximise Chen Li's dismissal compensation. In addition, the elderly woman was to report for work for a nearby enterprise in a week's time.
As she handled Chen Li a fatter than usual cheque and details of her next employment, Xiao Yu made it a point to emphasize the young mistress's intention.
The young mistress's former personality - Xiao Yu was inwardly glad - was not lost after all.
Four days on, Xiao Yu found the young mistress spacing out at one of the quieter spots of the manor.
"Young mistress, are you alright?"
It was a loaded question on so many levels, and judging from the lack of attempts to cover up for her momentary lapse as her gaze slide back into focus, the young mistress was well aware of it too. The silence between them stretched for minutes before the young mistress replied in the barest of whispers.
"Six months ago, my family passed on."
Death in the family was the last thing Xiao Yu expected and predictably, her brain was flood by a torrent of questions. To her horror, she had voiced her thoughts outloud.
"They were murdered.
For the weeks to come, Xiao Yu would constantly wonder if it was the nature of the young mistress's family death or the mistress's utterly flat and vacant tone that sent her into stunned stupor.
The young mistress had retired to her room long before Xiao Yu regained her bearings, after much effort.
Days later, when Xiao Yu was informed of her granted access to restricted parts of the manor as the official personal assistant to the young mistress, she came to her first realisation.
Pieces of the jigsaw fell into place and Xiao Yu could somewhat guess the reason for the young mistress's absence. While it answered her initial suspicions and queries, new questions arose.
Who murdered the young mistress's family? Why hasn't the Li family done anything?
The second realisation followed thereafter as Xiao Yu stepped into the suite where the young mistress resided during her six months of depression.
Despite being the young mistress's personal assistant, Xiao Yu knew that it would take years for her to be informed of the secrets of the Li family - like housekeeper Wang.
By revealing strictly confidential information of the cause of her absence, the young mistress had placed an inordinate amount of trust in her.
Xiao Yu was more than grateful.
A fortnight after the young mistress's revelation, Xiao Yu was summoned to one of the basement rooms at the restricted area on a day where the elders and most of the Li extended family were not present in the manor.
Any amount of discipline could not disguise Xiao Yu's shock when she entered the room: the marble floor was illuminated pink with strange, intricate patterns; the young mistress stood in the middle of the glowing circle, regarding her with a half-lidded gaze.
"I don't care if it is too early for you to know,"- the young mistress looked positively ethereal as her locks billowed gently- "but I believe that's time you to learn about the true nature of the Li family."
Xiao Yu vowed that her loyalty towards the young mistress would never waver.
End of side story
Finally
Thing you will say/ask after reading:
Why did you take eons to update?
I wanted to update a minute before 2008 so that I wasn't flouting the 'update in December' quote but… ehehehe I'm nearly an hour late again?
Do note that I'm a last minute worker who will only post chappies at the very last minute of the promised month (most of the time) . So you should only check for updates on the very last day of the promised month, around 12am – 1.30am.
Wth, I don't understand wth you're trying to convey in this chappie!
This means I am not up to standard as a writer if I can't convey my ideas properly.
Summary:
Two years ago, Death Eaters came and succeeded in conquering parts of Japan and Korea. Sakura's family got killed in that attack. Grieved, Sakura activated the time card and went back in time with Kero and Xiao Lang to find out what exactly happened during the time of attack. She snapped, tampered with time – a forbidden act, lashed out untamed sorcery, killed death eaters except Narcissa and destabilised time. Xiao Lang almost died while stopping her.
Time was altered. Voldermort's victory became a loss. The attack wasn't recorded in muggle history nor were most wizards informed of it. Fudge ordered for a cover up and the wizarding world. Both voldermort and Fudge was and will still be puzzled by what happened. Only sorcerers, who have the ability to detect changes in time, are aware of it.
Why is Kero not stopping Sakura when she went amok?
Kero powers are minute as compared to Sakura's so he will be of no use anyway. Besides, should he appear in front of the death eaters, he will be tampering with time and Kero is well aware of such taboo even though Sakura made her appearance.
Why is Kero gender confused? Kero fluctuates between an 'it' and 'he'
That's because I'm confused too. Undecided. Sorry.
If Sakura committed a taboo/ forbidden act, why isn't she suffering from dire effects? ( like how the elric brothers in fma suffered – paying the price by losing limbs and a body)
In my opinion, taboos exist to avoid sorcerers to exploit their ability. As a form of restriction, control. The consequences derived are after effects from committing a taboo. In other words, damage control.
For example: Sorcerer A commits a taboo and as a result, errr… the earth splits or something, so the consequence is the price the sorcerer has to pay for damage control. Of course, he can leave the earth in it's damaged state as it is. It's all about responsibility.
Fma is fma. I just have a different definition of taboo, that's all.
Tampering of time just appearing in front of any past character?
Duh.
Why did Sakura just erase blood, guts, and death eaters away? Shouldn't she like restore everything back? You know, house and other?
Realistically speaking, if you did something wrong and don't want to be reminded of it, you will wipe out evidence of what you have done.
She didn't restore everything back, cause she finally realised in her clear rational mind that she is tampering with time. Properties were damaged in the death eater's initial attack and she plans to leave it that way. Moreover, restoration using sorcery which will further destabilise time as it conflicts with fragile time magic
Where's my Yue? He should be featured more!
…. True. I'm aware of that.
Yue has a body of his own?
Yup. Sorcery has many uses.
Any other questions, clarifications, do ask. But I will tend to ramble on in my blog.
Finding typing a chore these days.
School starting again…April having exams, May – holiday.
How on earth am I going to update fast? TT Argh?