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: This is going to be a long one. Hehe.
Chapter 11's here. I know most of you have been waiting for this moment and I'm going to tell you, it was a pleasure to finally get it out. Expect a LOT of fluff. :)
Beta Read by : A. (My sister, really. lol. Bribed her into it by telling her I'll give her credit, so you're being credited sis. Love you.) And she was the one who told me to get my head out of the gutter and Update already! In her words, "You've written most of the story and haven't updated? What the hell is wrong with you? Are all Fanfic authors like you?" Lol. Who knows?
I've got a potential Beta Reader now and would like you all to be patient with me if there are any errors. Will be editing out the whole story for errors now.
I am Extremely sorry about this delayed update. For all of you who are still following, you give me the strength to sit in this chair and type out the words rolling about in my heart. Thank you. Really, in my darkest days your reviews kept me going. ALL of you. Thank you. This Chapter is dedicated to ALL of you, to all your support. Thank you.
I've completed most of this story. I'm going to be slow, but regular, with updates. Expect one at least once in 2 weeks.
And: Keep Reviewing. Reviews will be treated with special Teasers (not just the ones on my profile. :D)
And: Read Unabridged (Bleach Fic) if you've got some spare time. Would love to know what you thought. Some of you also asked me to update True Warrior. Working on it, babes. I'm working on it.
Disclaimer: Everything here apart from the characters and the Clow cards and the sexy beast guardians (yes! Yue! You sexy, sexy man, why aren't you mine?) are mine.
11: Fly
We're smiling but
We're close to tears
Even after all these years
-For the First Time/ The Script
Sakura felt a strange aura just before the break of dawn. She woke with a start and looked to her brother... and someone with him... was that Yukito? This was the fifth night in a row the boy slept in their trailer, but this was the first time he was in bed with her brother! Usually Yukito spread some rugs on the ground next to Touya's bed and slept there. She walked over to them and watched as they took breaths together. Yukito's hands were over Touya. She blinked in surprise and then realized what she had probably known all along.
Yukito... loved Touya? Was there another way to put it? He looked so peaceful in his sleep. She never saw him sleep during the night so she never got to see him wake up with her.
Did her brother love Yukito back? She wasn't sure. Things were usually hidden with Touya, Sakura realized. Even though they shared a trailer and spent dinner time together, things still seemed out of phase for the brother and sister. Maybe she didn't try to talk to him enough. She was somewhat self absorbed right now, with all the Syaoran drama in her life. A sigh escaped her lips as soon as she thought of the Prince of this land. Lord knows where he's been or how he's been spending his time. She tried to avoid thinking of the subject as much as possible.
Sakura felt envious of her brother's luck. It was clear as day that Yukito would die before losing him; she was sure now. And while that made her feel glad, it also deepened her fears. It felt like she might never find true love, for the one true love she did find was far too blue blooded for her.
A few moments later the first bird call of the day was heard. Simultaneously she could feel the presence of a card. She smiled. One more card would be added to the collection. It pleased her more than she could explain. Whenever a card was caught, she felt her strength was growing.
She bathed, dressed and quietly ran off into the early morning mist. The weather was funny somehow. Sakura didn't think it strange as the mist lifted. Multiple birds chirped as she called out to the power and pulled out a scarf for her hair.
By the time Sakura got around to it, the card was gone.
*.*
"Princess Tomoyo, may I introduce you to my son, Xiao Lang Li, Prince of the Li clan and heir to the throne."
"Prince Xiao Lang," Tomoyo Daidouji said as she bowed in respect and awe. The prince was handsome, so handsome it made her blush.
"Princess Daidouji," the Prince stated as he took her hand in his, "It is truly a pleasure. I hope you find your stay comfortable here, at our home." Tomoyo looked at the Prince and smiled. He was not only handsome, but charming and well mannered. It surprised her for some reason. She had come across many men from royal backgrounds and somehow, she admitted to herself, Prince Li was different.
"Did you find your travel here acceptable?" The Prince's mother asked Tomoyo asked her. She nodded.
"It was; thank you. I hope I am not of any inconvenience during my stay here, Yelan-san." she told Yelan.
"You will never be so. You are our guest and we are more than honoured that you have come ahead of your mother to meet with Xiao Lang. When will Daidouji-sama be joining us?" Yelan asked Tomoyo.
"Mother will be here in a week's time, if everything goes according to rota."
"Excellent! We will be delighted to receive her." Yelan smiled at her.
"Come, Tomoyo, we will take you to your room." Fuutie, one of the Prince's sisters's offered. Tomoyo smiled as she agreed silently.
"Will I be eating with you, Li-san?"
"Of course." He assured her. Tomoyo noticed how he did not ask her to call him by his first name.
In the confines of her new room, Tomoyo was asked to relax because lunch would be in an hour. She lied down on the bed and then finally thought of the Prince.
Xiao Lang was a magnificent person; it was plain to see that after just one meet. He seemed to be a bit closed, but was still generous and kind. While he was charming and polite with her, it felt like he was keeping a secret somehow. The reasons for drawing these conclusions were illogical. He simply might have forgotten to ask her to call him by his first name. Or maybe he wants to know her better, as does she. The Prince had the benefit of the doubt this time.
Tomoyo decided to not over think it. She had just met the Prince and he was as gentle as a flower. She would take it at and learn about the Prince's habits, his likes and dislikes. She knew her stay here might be a long one, so she brought along as much as she could. Mother had warned of falling short of kimonos. That would not do.
Tomoyo decided and dressed in a light peach flowered kimono for supper. She looked at herself in the mirror. Many suitors had come and gone, and all of them had made it a point to tell her how beautiful her hair was.
For the first time, she cared if Prince Li thought so. For the first time, one of her suitor's opinions mattered. And now, it would probably always matter. With that thought, she made her way out of her room to the dining room.
TSM
"Do you perhaps play an instrument, Li-san?" Tomoyo asked as she strolled through the gardens with the Prince. While she found the gardens painfully beautiful, she also found the Prince painfully distracted.
"Is something the matter?" she decided to confront him instead of going along this game they were playing. She stopped abruptly, forcing the Prince to look at her. He said nothing to her.
"Am I bothering you?" she asked then, feeling the strain in her own voice.
"No, of course not... I've just been tired from my training." The Prince told her.
Tomoyo smiled, but something was still amiss.
"And I enjoy playing the violin, Princess. It is an old Li custom to learn the violin. I find it very soothing." He told her as he gestured for her hand. Tomoyo gave it to him. From then on, it was the Prince leading them on into the gardens and it was the Prince who initiated conversation. Tomoyo actively answered all of the Prince's questions as they explored the various rose bushes and flowers.
"Did you enjoy the meal today? I have found it sometimes difficult to adjust to unfamiliar cuisines myself." The Prince asked as they walked back to the castle.
"No, the meal was delicious. I always liked Chinese meals, thank you. You are truly very noble for asking but don't be troubled by it, Li-san." Tomoyo hoped to relieve him of this trivial matter by telling him so.
The two exchanged goodbyes at the garden entrance and went their own ways. While Tomoyo decided to spend the rest of the late afternoon knitting with the prince's sisters, it appeared the Prince was going to spend his time hunting.
Tomoyo climbed the stairs and encountered an unfamiliar face.
"Who are you?" she asked Tomoyo.
"My name is Tomoyo Daidouji," Tomoyo told her slowly.
"Oh, my apologies." The woman bowed to her. "I'm Mei Ling Rae, Xiao Lang's cousin. I just came back for some of my things." She explained to Tomoyo. Tomoyo nodded while admiring Mei Ling's hair buns.
"Would you like some help?" Tomoyo offered.
"Actually, that'd be great. Come with me, we'll start with my room." Mei Ling said and gestured to follow.
Instinctively, Tomoyo feared for her well being.
*.*
"Are you sure you're up for a hunt?" Yukito asked Touya as they walked into the woods one bright afternoon. The sun was bright and shining while the weather remained pleasant, a perfect time to hunt for some deer or elk.
"I feel fine, Yukito." Touya assured him. Yukito's tattoo was a stark contrast against his own skin. Touya smiled at the sight of it.
"If you say so," Yukito left the topic unsurely.
The air was filled with the sound of a babbling brook. The water was sparkling, inviting them in for a drink. They hadn't even started with hunting yet. A rest had to be earned. They then found a good hiding spot and waited with their arrows ready.
"You know something strange?" Yukito asked as he aimed at the elk he saw many minutes later, his arrow ready for the shot. Touya looked at him with his bow in hand. Yukito took the shot and much a distance away, there was a screech of an animal.
"That was a close one. He almost got away, that elk." Yukito confessed as he put his bow away and picked up a sack to bag the elk.
"The elk didn't have a chance. You were born to be an archer." Touya praised him. Yukito stood rooted to his spot chuckling nervously. The man could never take a compliment the right way and that made him so humble. It was probably what he love—
After that Touya thought no more. Instead, Touya watched as he bagged the elk and dragged it back with one hand. He looked much stronger now, much better. Touya usually did the lugging while Yukito did majority of the hunting.
"Now that that's done," Yukito said as he threw the bag against a tree. He wiped his hands on a cloth and walked to the brook for a drink, probably.
"It's strange you should say that, because I can't even remember the first time I picked up a bow and arrow." He shouted to Touya between drinks.
"It's normal to forget things about your past, Yukito."
Yukito nodded and went back to hunting while Touya remained distracted.
Touya never asked too many questions of Yukito's past, but thought that it had to have been tragic. There was no way to be sure though, for Yukito never once spoke of his family or past.
"You look a little pale Touya; sit in the shade will you? Maybe we should return. This heat might harm you." Yukito told him while Touya merely sat and watched him. Finally, Touya nodded. They made their way home quietly with Yukito supporting Touya all the way through.
Their current situation was a funny one. Usually, it was Yukito who was the weaker one. Indeed it seemed like they had reversed roles.
I can't even remember the first time
There was a side to Yukito Tsukishiro that no one had seen. As it was, even Touya only had a glimpse of it.
*.*
"How long have I been sleeping?" Xiao Lang asked as he sat next to Eriol drinking a cup of warm tea. It tasted magnificent; the flavour of the tea was blending so well with the honey that Kaho poured in at his request. He hummed after the first sip.
"Around four days." Eriol stated as he adjusted his glasses while he read a document. While he said nothing more with his lips, his thoughts were clear to Xiao Lang.
I don't think I can wait any longer for an explanation, Xiao Lang.
"I've been thinking about... what happened. I only remember a little bit, to be frank," Xiao Lang paused as he looked away from Eriol. "I was following Yukito, Sakura's brother's friend? And well, I don't know what the hell happened after that."
"Do you think someone had tampered with your memory?"
"That's the only explanation,"
Eriol nodded as he read on.
"Eriol," Xiao Lang started. "I kind of need to... tell you something I did."
Eriol at first nodded, and suddenly his focus was on Xiao Lang's mind.
"Please don't tell me you did what I think you have done." Eriol asked.
"I'd completely forgotten you," he confessed in a whisper. His hands brushed past her face, now to her bare neck and shoulders
"No," Eriol's eyes were wide.
"Kiss me," the whisper left her lips
"Dear God, stop. Please stop!" Eriol begged while placing the glasses on the table.
"How could you let this happen?" Eriol's generally calm voice boomed through the barn. Today was another day though.
"It was an accident." Xiao Lang's reply was meek.
"Maybe you should start from the beginning then."
Xiao Lang went to her camp and stood outside before taking a fresh breath to start.
He looked at her exposed shoulders and abdomen and took a deep breath once more.
She walked a little way and then, she fell.
"You knew."
"She knew?"
"She did sense my presence. It's not like I know how to conceal my aura." Xiao Lang confessed.
There were footsteps approaching. Eriol turned to see who walked into the barn.
"What has happened?" Kaho asked as Kero flew into the room with tiny wings.
"Yeah, what's happening kids?"
Xiao Lang sighed.
"You're going to get on with your training straight away." Eriol told him while he looked Kaho in the eye. Kaho nodded. Kero laughed.
"You're way past your teenage years and you're still in training?" Kero pestered.
"I don't like this monkey you've brought back with you," Xiao Lang stated as he moved to get up. "You can't blame me if I end up burning him to ash."
"Give it a try, you punk!"
"Don't tempt me, you children's toy!"
"Stop it," Kaho merely said the words, effectively ending the war.
"Fine, I'm stopping. But just so you know, I can take you down with just one claw." Kero raised his left arm.
"That looks more like a chicken leg than a claw!" Xiao Lang compared.
"I don't think you completely understand the gravity of this situation, Xiao Lang, Kero Beros!" Eriol interrupted their banter.
"But—"
"Do you remember what I told you before bringing you here?" Eriol asked as he willed for Xiao Lang to take him seriously. Xiao Lang nodded.
"You told me that—"
"I told you that you cannot meddle with anything in the past, let alone change it!"
"I erased her memory! She doesn't even know it happened!" Xiao Lang defended.
"It does not matter. Fact is that it happened! And now, I don't know what repercussions we will have to face because of your actions!" Eriol screamed at him. Xiao Lang looked at the ground, nodding slowly.
"You're right, I don't know if I can stay away from her anymore. You'd be a better a person to keep watch from now on." Xiao Lang walked off. Kaho sighed.
"You have to know how difficult this must be for him as well. He is in love with her and the only way he can be with her right now is through this twisted magic trick," Kaho reminded him.
"I don't care! He has no forethought at all! If this keeps up, he'll definitely get us—"
"Cut the boy some slack, will you? He seems guilty. We'll keep things in order from now on!" Kero told him with folded arms, floating in the air.
"You're supporting him then?" Eriol commented.
"Hey, I hate his guts and he'll always be a Li," Kero paused as he flew to the table to analyze the documents Eriol was reading. "But he's the best hope we have. We need him.
"And why are you reading 'Guardians of the Sorcerers'? You have a Guardian right here man!" Kero gestured to himself. "ME! I'm the Guardian Beast! Why would you need a book with me around?"
Eriol sighed.
"I'd better find Xiao Lang and get on with his training. How would you both like a nice cup of tea?" Kaho asked as she stood.
"With some more sweet bread, please?" Kero requested and flew after her.
Even though Kaho's tea plan worked perfectly, Eriol still wondered if he would have any hair left by the time things were settled with the Guardian Beast and the older Li Prince.
*.*
Sakura sat quietly at dinner with Touya.
"How long will you hunt during the daytime?" Sakura asked first.
"Probably till we're sure that I'm better," Touya said.
"That's a good plan," she said, chewing on food.
Sakura washed the plates while Touya helped wipe them. It was nice to have her big brother helping around. Truth be told, she was getting used to it. Sakura knew that was dangerous.
"Big brother," she started as she washed a bowl.
"Hmmm?"
Sakura said nothing as she washed another dish. Touya didn't bother to say anything either. The sink was almost empty which meant there wasn't much time left. Touya would get ready for bed and before bed was never a good time to talk. Or was it? Touya would be calm and relaxed, Sakura wouldn't have to worry about any physical violence on her part for any rude comments he might make.
Something had to be said! All these secrets were killing her.
"Where is Yukito tonight?" she decided to start with an easy one. There was only one dish left to wash.
"He's going to hunt tonight," Touya put his cloth away as he walked to his bed.
"Alone?" she asked.
"He insisted, since we didn't get much done during the day," Touya wore a sleeveless shirt while he spoke.
"That's really nice of him. He's always so considerate and caring." Sakura commented. Yukito was so sweet, and he was always there for them. Sakura was tired of this over thinking. It was becoming a waste of time.
And yet Sakura couldn't bring herself to do much about it, seeing as she felt awfully awkward about bringing up her brother's love life. How did it really matter what Touya had to say anyway? It was obvious that Yukito cared for him in more ways than one and that was enough for Sakura.
Her eyes strayed to where Touya lay on the bed now, reading a book. He looked so much better than last week. She could feel him now... even if it was just a flicker.
*.*
"Your fight has begun, strong and in full force."
Getting a reading is probably the one thing that Syaoran would tell you never to try. It messed up your head, screwed with your insides somehow. Even though he met the astrologer days ago (the same day he last saw Sakura with said astrologer in fact) the words were still ringing in his ears. Even though he wanted to cast it aside as nothing, sometimes it couldn't be helped that the mind wanders.
Syaoran trained in silence and tried to concentrate that day before returning home for lunch. While on regular days he chose to train from sunrise to sunset, these days he pretty much trained for a few hours at the most.
This prospect of a bride was beginning to look like a trap somehow. For instance, lunch was going to be prepared by the Daidouji Princess. And in some strange way, Syaoran was conned into being some sort of spectator of honour.
"What if I don't like it?" Syaoran asked like a petulant child while Mei Ling folded clothes after clothes.
"Then you'll suck it up and be nice."
"What if I don't care enough to be nice?"
"Then stop this pussyfooting around!" Her eyes burning as she continued. "Tomoyo's actually nice, so I hope you'll tell her the truth and quit stringing her along."
The day turned out to be a bit cloudy, but there was nothing to fear. Rain was uncommon in Tomoeda, as were storms. The weather remained dry through the year unless it was a rare day.
At the Castle, Syaoran got in just as Tomoyo was serving his mother and sisters lunch. Mei Ling looked positively aghast. It was probably the expression that Syaoran would have on his face once he got down to the task.
"What's this called again, Tomoyo?"
"It's Sushi rice."
"And what is this, Tomoyo?" Fuutie asked this time. Syaoran took a seat at the table and took a deep breath, blocking out as much of the chit-chat as possible.
"Not to hurt your feelings or anything, Tomoyo, but the food's kind of..." Mei Ling thought.
"Different!" Shiefa finished before Mei Ling could.
"It's marvellous, Tomoyo. Maybe you'll teach us?" His mother spoke with a small smile.
"I was actually going to say that—" Mei Ling fisted her hands on the table.
"Tomoyo makes delicious sushi rice! I like the sushi rice," Feimei broke in this time. Even Syaoran found a smile coming on. Poor Mei Ling...
"Thank you all. You're too kind. I only hope you have room for some traditional Japanese cake." Tomoyo chimed.
"Yes!" Mei Ling cheered. The others looked relieved as well. Syaoran shook his head at the rest of them.
It was safe to conclude that lunch was eventful.
TSM
The sky was filled with dark clouds when Tomoyo and Syaoran ventured into the gardens for a walk.
"How did you enjoy lunch, Li-san?"
"It was fine. We should try it again." Maybe without the raw fish this time, Syaoran wanted to add. Tomoyo giggled.
"Can you keep a secret?"
Syaoran didn't know what it was but that one sentence changed something in him. It felt like he was hearing it for a second time, only it wasn't the same person who said it.
"Can you keep a secret?"
"Of course," Syaoran replied mindlessly.
"I don't really enjoy Japanese food that much either. I just learnt how to cook for my mother's sake,"
"I will keep your secret, if you will keep mine, said-Outrider."
"I suppose you could say that Japanese food is somewhat of an acquired taste,"
"Your father was a king I could never forget, Syaoran."
"Maybe it matters, knowing your own food and your own land. I am, after all, the Princess of my land."
"Can you train me?"
After that, Syaoran took no notice of the Daidouji Princess. He was thoroughly distracted and he did nothing to hide it.
"Oh key of Clow,"
"It's called the Sword."
"You can heal."
"I can stop time."
"But if you want to live, you must fight. Else, this fight is the only fight you will live to see."
"You've never really lived until you have loved with all your heart."
"Release,"
The Earth was somehow spinning as Syaoran tried to understand what was happening to him. His mind had been wandering all day, yes, but that didn't explain why he was thinking of her!
"Are you alright, Li-san?" he could hear the voice clearly, but he had yet to gather his thoughts.
"Your body is unable to take the pressure,"
Deep breaths helped. After some light meditating and some water, he could finally see straight.
"Can you see?" the Princess asked. Syaoran nodded.
"I apologize."
"There are some things you simply are not to blame, Prince. Maybe we should call the city doctor?"
"No. No. It's all right... I'll just take leave to my room, if that is—"
"I'll take you," she didn't ask. Syaoran let her lead the way.
They were lucky to have stepped inside the moment they did. A moment more and they would've been drenched in the first rainfall Tomoeda had seen in months.
TSM
Thunder roared as lightning clashed every few seconds. The rain poured harsh and loud drops against the windows. It woke Syaoran.
He blinked as if to register where he was. It was then that he understood what woke him.
He pushed away the covers and leapt from his bed, dressing as quickly as possible.
This was one of Sakura's magic cards. The aura was so obvious that he was sure now. That's why he felt so fuzzy before... he had sensed her magic and...
He ran to his mother's room to find the car keys. Luckily, said room was empty. He then rushed to the castle doors, not caring if anyone was around or not.
It was while driving the Ford Bronco II that he realized how careless it was to run off in between a thunderstorm without telling a soul. And yet all he did was push the accelerator harder. Sakura would need Syaoran today. And he would be there. Nothing else mattered.
*.*
Sakura struggled to stand up against the gale that blew. Miles away from Tomoeda, she finally cornered the card that she sensed and lost many mornings ago. It was a frightfully strong one.
Using the Time card would be strenuous for something so trivial. As if a little rain could stop her from capturing this card!
It felt like Windy and Watery would be of no use. Cloud, Rain and Thunder would only make it worse. Those were all the cards that seemed exactly like this one, which she already had. So which card was this?
With all her might, Sakura pushed to move forward but was barely making progress. Her body was numb from the wet and the cold. Fear was slowly setting in, what if she couldn't capture this card?
Sakura watched as a small current of dust turned into a hurricane right before her eyes, and it looked indestructible and tall. Now, things were actually getting scary. What should she do? If this wasn't controlled soon everyone would find out. Worse, everyone would be in grave danger. Now what? What was she supposed to do to? What card should she use?
A flash of lightning went straight to the hurricane —Sakura barely registered it as she turned to see if it was who she thought it was...
"Syaoran!" screaming was of no use. He was beside her now, trying to say something but couldn't. There was no voice. He tried to use his hands instead. First a roundabout motion to show a circle and then he pointed at the centre. Sakura looked at the hurricane before them. Was he talking about attacking at the centre of the storm?
Storm...
"Storm!" Sakura tried to scream. Syaoran nodded and then moved off. How did he manage to move against the gale? Sakura watched as he flitted into the air, round and round the hurricane and then disappeared. For some time, Sakura did not breathe. Then, the hurricane glowed bright and died out slowly. Sakura moved to the now left wisp of air and raised her staff.
"Return to your powers confined, Storm card."
The light was blinding, making it impossible to see. Moments later, finally, she dropped her staff and reached out for the card. It moved away from her. Following the card, she almost bumped straight into Syaoran, who grabbed the card just as she did. Syaoran met her eyes and let go of the card. Sakura clung to it.
"What're you doing here?" Sakura asked him. "That doesn't make a difference. Thank you. If you hadn't come..."
"You are the most incessant gypsy girl I've ever met!"
"What?" Sakura stood surprised. That wasn't expected.
"It's like a buzzing in your ear or perhaps an itch you want to desperately rid off but can't! So constant that it reminds me every single day of what I don't have, and that's you! You, you with this magic and those clothes and... You!" Syaoran grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her closer. "I can't take anymore of this.
"This is it. I'm giving you a chance to leave and never come back. And this second, right now, is that chance." Syaoran let her go and took three steps back. Suddenly, it was all too quiet.
"I can't take the separation anymore. I hear your voice wherever I go. I miss you; I have missed you for days. At first it felt like things might look up but as time passed, I have only missed you more.
"Tell me it hasn't been the same for you and walk away from me, right now, from all of this. And I will never come to you again. We will never speak again, never meet again..." he watched as Sakura walked to him with her card and staff in hand. "It will be as if it never happened."
Sakura stood inches before him. She seemed to be calculating... she raised a hand to his cheek first. Syaoran closed his eyes and melted into the touch. Dear God, so good. After the downpour he had to encounter, Sakura's touch was warm. It scared him how much a touch altered his determination. This wasn't good.
"Please don't touch me," Syaoran pled as Sakura's hand moved into his hair. "I can't think with you touching me."
"Really?" her voice was feeble, as though she'd walked through a storm. Syaoran looked at her then.
"Sakura," he warned as she dropped her staff and moved closer. Her hands held his face gently as Sakura tilted her head up. Syaoran's hands were limp at his sides. Too afraid to think, too afraid to even breathe, he uttered the next sentence.
"You're not going to leave, not again." He half asked and half ordered. It was then that he felt the softest lips lightly against his own, his heartbeat now pounding at the thought of Sakura this close. It wasn't a kiss yet, she wasn't close enough yet. His hands rose to her waist to hold her closer, tighter.
"I never left," the words were hot against his lips.
"And you will never leave?" his lips were so close to hers, it hurt. It hurt to be this close, pained his body in a way he never knew. His skin burned in Sakura's touch, a burn that brought him close to moaning.
"Because if you leave again, I won't be able to..."
Syaoran never finished. Sakura's lips, resting so close to his, finally merged with his own. The heat from this kiss made him feel dizzy. It made him groan. Then slowly, she moved her lips against his and he lost all rule. After trying so very hard to be rational, to be the dominant one, to be in charge, he was now reduced to a puddle of mush as his lips teased Sakura's while he pressed her body flush against his own. Nothing had ever felt this good before. Nothing made him feel this alive. It was as though every miserable thing that had occurred in these past few weeks had been wiped clean. Everything seemed worth it now. Everything he owned was now hers. Everything she wanted in this universe would be hers. Just a kiss and he was hers.
Syaoran heard her moan as he felt the kiss intensify. He licked her lower lip then. Sakura pulled away, panting. Syaoran was not done though. He brought his mouth, open and hot against her collarbone and sucked on skin. Anything to keep his lips on some part of hers...
It started out as a simple kiss. A kiss between two companions, a kiss that now changed their lives forever.
Their kiss slowed but the heat only grew. Somehow, they were connected now. A promise had been sealed through the kiss. And it was their first. Sakura spoke with her forehead against his chest.
"I realized that we haven't done something together yet,"
"What?" Syaoran asked dazedly. Sakura's smile was radiant.
"Come on!"
TSM
"We're flying!" The Prince's hoots were loud and child like. Sakura responded with a hearty laugh.
"The Fly card is my favourite card of all." She confessed.
"And now it is mine as well! I would never go back down if given the choice!"
In that moment, Syaoran wasn't a Prince. He was just any other boy flying in the night sky with his first love.
"I love you, Sakura." Syaoran told her softly. The flapping of wings was loud but he was still heard. Sakura looked back at him.
"And I love you." Sakura's tears were small, but present. Syaoran smiled.
"You are everything, Sakura. Nothing can change that."
Sakura cried as she laughed.
Their second kiss was patient yet heartfelt.
"I need to get my mother's car back," Syaoran told her as they glided over Tomoeda. "Have any cards for that?" he asked with a grin.
"How about you drive?"
"Only if you come with me,"
"Where else would I be, Syaoran?"
TSM
Finding Sakura had been difficult, if not impossible. Far away from Tomoeda, after the card had been confined, the two star crossed lovers were embraced in an unbreakable kiss. Eriol was forced to look away.
The Storm card was rightfully Syaoran's. Eriol doubted the young Prince even knew that.
So it happened after all. No matter how much they tried to deny it, it won them over. Was this love?
Sakura's laughs disrupted the solemn night sky as the two flew back from wherever it is they went, now much happier than before.
Love...
For some time, Eriol did not think of Xiao Lang, the cards or their reason for being here. It was true that there were much smaller things in life that were worth living for. Sakura had found them with Syaoran. For the first time since they arrived here in Tomoeda, that thought alone was enough to make Eriol smile and worry all at once. The walk home was a thoughtful one.
*.*
Kaho's eyes lit up as she detected Eriol's thoughts in his sleep. Her love was dreaming. She sat next to him and brushed some hay away, feeling his dream as her own. The dream now consumed the both of them as though it was theirs and no longer only Eriol's.
Kaho found herself in a room with a beautiful fireplace lit and crackling. No one was in the room but for her. Walking around with the realization that this could be more than a dream made her step carefully. Although certain that no one would see her, she wasn't certain that Eriol wouldn't feel the change in presence.
"Master Eriol," the rushed whispers could be heard all the way here, Kaho realized. Someone was frantic.
"Master, you must wake up!" a girl's voice could be heard clearly now.
"Master Eriol," a male voice now spoke. They sounded tense to Kaho.
"Yes? Ruby, what is it?" Eriol sounded drowsy having just been woken from sleep. Kaho finally found the room the three were in and observed as Guardians and Master spoke from outside, careful not to make a sound.
"You have to see this. Come with us," the girl pulled Eriol from bed and out the door, right past Kaho. Another inch and they would have collided with her, or not. They would never know now. Kaho sighed quietly in relief and followed them, back to the room she had been in just moments before.
"Look," the girl ran to a table by a large chair facing a closed window... Clow's chair! Kaho felt a smile on her face as the chair filled her vision. It had been so long since she last saw this chair. How had she missed that before? With some difficulty, she turned her attention back to Eriol and the Guardians as they fiddled with something rectangular and book sized. Kaho's eyes widened in recognition... this was the night Eriol found the Clow book.
"Open it, Master."
"I'm not sure if I can. It only opens to select individuals," Eriol scanned the book of the front and the back and then focused his energy on the seal. The book opened. Collective gasps were heard in the room while the fire crackled on.
"It's empty."
Kaho had been pulled back from the dream as though a fish pulled from a pond. The pull came closer and closer to the surface until it forced Kaho's eyes open. Next to her Eriol simply turned to his side and continued to sleep.
We just now
Got the feeling
That we're meeting
For the first time
TEASER of chapter 12 for The Silver Moon up on my Profile. Check it out.
Reviews get special teasers. :) I'm sneaky like Kaho.
