Pure-chan: Welcome to the 36th chapter of White Phoenix, Blue Moon. Due to unfortunate circumstances, none of the main actors are willing to host this chapter. However, we have a speical guest today who will be hosting instead. Please welcome the former greatest magician of all time, Clow Reed.
Clow: Thank you for your kind words, Pure-chan. *to the audience* As all of you already know, I am one of the instigators of the Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles original plot, Clow Reed. I have been made aware that Yuuko and Chanhua have hosted the previous chapter. If you could, please do not tell them that I have returned to the studio.
Since the author does not have any particular comments for this chapter, I will proceed directly to the questions we have received. First, we have Tomoyo-hime's answer to "How and when did you fall in love with your special person?" and "What is one thing you like about your special person?".
(Video)
Tomoyo-hime: You mean Kurogane? I am afraid that I cannot tell you the details. However, I can tell you that it happened around my early teens. Kurogane is a very protective person and he has a way of showing how much he cares. He's also quite adorable when he's torn between two decisions, such as when I offered him Ginryuu in exchange for his eternal service. Kurogane is a very kind person, so it's hard not to like him. I especially like how much he cares about his family. Tsukiko is lucky to have such a brother.
Tsukiko: *off-screen* I am well aware. It's a shame that Aniki doesn't publicly acknowledge his feelings. Maybe I should push him towards the right direction.
Tomoyo-hime: Oh! I have an idea. *whispers in Tsukiko's ear (off-screen)*
Tsukiko: I'll do it. I simply cannot wait to see the look on his face!
(Video End)
Clow: *sigh* All we can do is believe in the future... Pardon me. We had a request for Fai-kun and Kurogane-kun to host this chapter, but as Pure-chan has previously stated, neither is currently in the mood to interact with each other. However, one of the multiple cameras of our building has managed to capture the moment Kurogane-kun confronted Fai-kun about his date.
(Video)
Kurogane: Answer me, mage. What is going on between you and Tsukiko?
Fai: Oh, so you heard about our little outing then.
Kurogane: *growls*
Fai: Don't worry, Kuro-papa. We only went to the festival together. Tomoyo-chan wanted you to invite her, but since you didn't...
Kurogane: Th-That's none of your business! And my name is Kurogane!
Fai: Alright, Kuro-puu, but if you don't have anything else to say, I need to go. Tsuki-chan and I are going bowling with Syaoran-kun and Sakura-chan!
Kurogane: What?!
Fai: Since we finished the first season and all... I thought we could celebrate!
Kurogane: You... are coming... with me...
Fai: Ara, Kuro-papa turned scary all of a sudden.
Kurogane: Mage...
Tsukiko: Fai? Oh, there you are. The others are waiting for us!
Fai: *waves* I'm coming!
Kurogane: COME BACK HERE, YOU DAMNED MAGE!
(Video End)
I sway in scarlet crimson red
Fai appears on the right side of a pillar, sitting in the falling snow
Towards the end of my dream
Tsukiko appears on the left side of that same pillar
I cannot detach myself from you
The both of them stand on a magic circle, rotating, then the Tsubasa logo appears
For countless times, I give up my progress and kill off my emotions
Fai sits on a cliff with his staff as scenes of him and King Ashura appeared behind him
With no place to go, my emotions are slowly awakening
Tsukiko stands not too far away, reminiscing the happier days of their journey
I understand too well
Kurogane kneels down, head bowed and sword in hand, in front of Tomoyo-hime
That your unsullied smile
Syaoran bows to Princess Sakura, who is standing back to back with Tomoyo-hime
Is an entity too cruelly distant from me
Shiro Mokona jumps between the two princesses
Although my unhealing wounds
We zoom into Mokona's red jewel and see Kuro Mokona jumping
Keeps on gnawing away my heart,
Chan and Watanuki are sitting together, then we see Chii and the shadowed figure of her fiancé behind Yuuko
Even now
Fei Wang Reed appears
I cannot
Xing Huo appears
Completely
Kyle Londart appears
Suppress
The steward from Jade appears
My thoughts that dwell in the darkness
We see all of the villains in Fei Wang's hideout
I sway in scarlet crimson red,
Fai appears as a vampire in his clothes from Infinity
Towards the end of my dream
He drinks from Tsukiko's throat as she sheds a tear
The destiny of our encounter begins to turn
The tear falls down and turns into a blue dragon that stands protectively behind the couple
With this
Fai stands on one side of the mirror, wearing his old clothes as he looks at his shadowed reflection
secret
His "reflection" looks back at him, wearing a kimono
that no one else knows
The glass between the two men shatters, no longer separating the two
I keep falling deeper and deeper down
A six-year-old Tsukiko, dressed in ceremonial robes, tries to grasp a hand, but falls into the darkness
Without a doubt
Kurogane begins to walk away towards Tomoyo-hime
I cannot escape
Tsukiko painfully looks away from her companions
Even if I had to atone for my sins
Both Syaorans and Sakura stand back to back as red cherry blossoms fly into the sky.
"Yes," Yuuko confirmed. "There is a method of traveling between worlds. However, you must win their "chess" tournament to obtain it."
"Please tell us what the price is," Tsukiko said.
"You must accept my conditions," the Witch declared. "Sakura must enter the chess tournament with the three of them."
"You mean Fai, Aniki and Syaoran-kun?"
"It is my wish only, to find a way to travel to other worlds," Sakura added. "Kurogane-san and the others…"
"Do you think they're not involved in this?" Yuuko asked her.
"…"
"You had another wish, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"With this method, you can only travel between dimensions once and you can't choose the world you will be heading to," Yuuko told her.
"But there is a world I want to go to," Sakura declared.
"And you can't wait for Mokona to take you there, I take it."
"The world Sakura and I foresaw that day is this one," Tsukiko explained. "We're both certain of it. Sakura… doesn't have much time left."
"So your wish is to be able to choose your next world?" Yuuko asked Sakura.
"Yes."
"It's best not to choose a previous world. The price would be too high for even the both of you to pay if you wanted to return to, for example, the kingdom of Clow."
"The world she wants to go to is not one we have passed through thus far," Tsukiko reassured her former guardian.
"Even so… Sakura, I wonder if your most valuable possession will match the price."
"Please name it!" Sakura exclaimed frantically. "If it's something I can give…"
"Your good luck," Yuuko decided. "You are the "beloved daughter of the gods". More than a few times in the past, your luck has protected you. And because of it, you have been able to make whatever progress you've seen. And since not all of your memories have returned… it has been your one weapon that has kept you relatively safe from harm thus far. If you pay it as your price, it will not be there to protect you in the next world you go to."
"Even so, I want to change the future I've seen," Sakura declared.
"Certainly the future you have chosen to play out requires you to travel alone. But that is different to traveling in isolation, though, since Tsukiko is with you, I suppose it is not entirely the case."
"Yuuko-san…"
"…As I've said before, I still don't know if that price will pay for your wish. The odds are only two in one. Even with those odds, will you still take the bet?"
"Yes!"
"Human chess?"
"We will get a prize if we win," Sakura explained.
The group was gathered in the room they have rented for their stay in this new world.
"You want to use that prize to restore the country you were in before," Yuuko guessed. "You want to use it to pay for something for that country."
After they left the world where Tsukiko's friend, Blue Bird, had belonged to, they arrived in another world destroyed by Syaoran, who was still going after Sakura's feathers. When the citizens had seen the original Syaoran, they mistook him for the one who destroyed their lives, and began to throw rocks at him. Attempting to shield him from the attack, Sakura moved in front of the other Syaoran and requested that Mokona sent them to the next world.
"I know of the country you are currently in," Yuuko declared. "It is a dangerous place controlled by an organization called the mafia. Yet…"
"…Yes," Sakura replied.
Though they said nothing, Kurogane and Fai's expressions showed that they agreed with the princess. As for Tsukiko, she nodded at Yuuko's query.
"And you? Syaoran."
"Yes."
"Very well," Yuuko conceded. "If you obtain the prize, I shall grant your wish."
"Only three pieces are allowed in this game of chess," Sakura informed the others.
"I'll stay behind," Tsukiko decided. "Aniki is most suited for being a piece. Fai is determined to help Sakura in any way he can, so he'll definitely become one too. As for Syaoran-kun…" Tsukiko stepped in front of him. "This is something you must do, correct?"
"But Tsukiko!"
"It's fine, Syaoran-kun. I'll stay here and wait for your safe return home," Tsukiko's gaze went from one person to the next.
"Are you really alright with that?" Sakura asked.
"I am, and it's not like I really have a choice," she shrugged. "After all, I am different from the rest of you."
"I'm glad to see that you are well, Tsukiko," Chan said. "I heard that your memories have returned."
"For the most part, I suppose," Tsukiko stroke Mokona's fur.
"The Li clan's Elders have been taken care of," Chan declared. "And my curse… is no longer a problem."
"I'm glad."
"However, you did not call for me simply to exchange pleasantries, have you?" Chan's eyes narrowed.
"You owe me something since I obtained the object that was exchanged with the one that has lifted your curse," Tsukiko said calmly. "Also, the necklace I had from Hahaue… It didn't serve to pay the price for my traveling in between dimensions, did it?"
"That is correct," Chan confirmed from her side. "So? What about it?"
"I don't think that Fai knows about his twin."
"You remembered that much, huh?"
Tsukiko nodded. "I'd like that person to stop Fai from doing something stupid."
"By that…" Chan understood. "So you saw it as well."
"I do not know when it will happen and I am not certain whether it will be in our next world," Tsukiko told her best friend. "However, I make this request of you. Can you grant it?"
"The price you paid, no, the price you both paid is sufficient," the sorceress declared. "It will be done."
"Thank you."
"No… This is the least I can do," Chan shook her head. "I wish you luck, Tsukiko."
"The same goes for you."
"One more thing," Chan said before they closed the connection.
"Yes?"
"The necklace. It will become the price of another wish."
Tsukiko closed her eyes. "Very well. I trust your Okaa-san, so I'll leave it up to you."
Tsukiko sighed as she put on her new outfit. The clothes in Infinity were quite gothic, mostly black or white. Sakura had gotten herself several changes of clothes, changing her outfit every match then rotating again. For example, the day she spoke to Yuuko about the chess tournament, she wore a sleeveless black dress that went to her knees with the Vision family's logo near the bottom. And when she left for the match today, she wore another sleeveless black dress, but a tattered one with ruffles and a maid headband to go with.
Tsukiko's dresses were mostly white, contrasting with the princess'. One of them was a long-sleeved dress with black lace and ribbons combined with a small white hat with black flowers and lace. Another was a sleeveless dress with black ribbons and ruffles on the skirt as well as the collar and the torso.
The others' outfits were much plainer. Since they were fighting in the chess tournament as pieces, their clothes would easily suffer damage. Kurogane usually wore a black sleeveless top and a red scarf tied on his head. Xiao LAng either wore a T-shirt or sleeveless top, but usually had a coat along with it. As for Fai, he wore long tops, most with long sleeves. The three of them also wore a collar that would have them chained before the matches.
Since Mokona was sleeping – they had just finished lunch – and there wasn't much to do, Tsukiko began pacing in the living room. However, something caught her attention.
An envelope was stuck between the front door and the wall.
Curious, Tsukiko retrieved the envelope. Turning it around, she saw her name written in cursive letters with a "Miss" preceding it. Eyes narrowed, she carefully opened the envelope and read the content of the letter.
Sigh…
Tomorrow was going to be a busy day.
Tsukiko and Mokona were playing card games when the door to the apartment opened.
"You're all here!" Mokona exclaimed worriedly. "Is anybody wounded?"
The males, though uninjured, had dark looks on their faces, and Kurogane was carrying Sakura.
"Sakura!" Tsukiko quickly helped her brother put the princess on the couch.
"Sakura! What's wrong?!" Mokona hopped to the girl's side.
"I'm okay," Sakura said gently as she held Mokona. "I'm just a little tired, that's all. I really am just fine… so please, don't cry."
"You should rest for today, if you're that tired," Tsukiko said as Sakura hugged Mokona.
"But…"
"You're sure there's a feather in this world?" Fai asked Mokona and Tsukiko.
"Yeah, the feeling is very faint, but there is a feather," Mokona confirmed.
"I haven't gone out much, nor have I gone far, so I don't know where the feather is, exactly," Tsukiko looked away.
"If Syaoran comes to this country, then I'll know it," Fai told Sakura as he went down on one knee. "And if that happens, I'll wake you up immediately. Besides, we have another "chess game tomorrow, so you really have to rest. It was your decision to win and collect the prize money, right?"
"Yes," Sakura answered a bit hesitantly, knowing full well that is not her true goal. She stood up from the couch, but fell down after barely making a few steps.
Luckily, Xiao Lang caught her just in time, though it seemed to have triggered a painful trip on memory lane.
"I'm sorry…" Sakura whispered as she let go of the one who is the same as him, yet isn't.
"All right," Fai put a hand on Sakura's shoulder. "Let's get you to your room."
Xiao Lang bowed his head as they walked past him and closed the door.
"You probably are the original that the kid is made from, but you aren't the kid," Kurogane declared.
"Aniki is right, Syaoran-kun," Tsukiko agreed as she walked towards him. "There's no reason you should feel responsible for his actions, especially when you had tried to stop him before he committed them. You should simply decide what you want to do."
"That includes what you decide to do with the princess," Kurogane finished for her.
After getting over his shock, Xiao Lang spoke. "No matter what I do… To Sa… To the princess, Syaoran will always be that Syaoran. The shoulder she leans on is not mine."
Kurogane put his hand on Xiao Lang's head before ruffling it. "Just remember this. The princess is strong. And because she's strong, she's also fragile. If someone doesn't teach her that," he looks at his sister and the original Syaoran, "she'll break. That needs to happen soon. That mage can't do it, because they're pretty much the same. Go to sleep."
Xiao Lang opened his door. "All right. You too, Kurogane-san, Tsukiko, please get some sleep yourself."
"Right," the ninja smiled as the door slammed shut.
"Sakura-chan is fast asleep," Fai said as he gently closed the door to Sakura's room. "Mokona is sleeping with her. Are you planning on drinking something?"
"Booze."
Tsukiko shook her head in exasperation. "That's Aniki for you."
"Whatever shall we do with him?" Fai teased.
"You should drink too," Kurogane told Fai.
"He doesn't need to drink in front of you, Aniki," Tsukiko declared. "I can take care of it. Your liquor too."
"…"
"Did you notice?" Fai asked after Tsukiko left for the kitchen.
"Yeah," Kurogane replied. "Someone's watching us."
"Our next opponents in "chess"?" Fai asked. "Or maybe…"
"Maybe the ones who have been watching us since the beginning of this journey," Tsukiko returned with a bottle of liquor.
"No matter which it is…" Fai's eye turned gold. "I won't allow them to harm us anymore."
Tsukiko handed over the bottle to her brother. "I'm going to sleep now. I'll be seeing you tomorrow, Aniki."
"Yeah."
Opening the door to their room, Tsukiko looked back. "Are you coming, Fai?"
With a calm face, the mage nodded and followed her inside.
"Here, your drink," Tsukiko offered her bleeding wrist.
Fai drank without a word. The only sound they heard was the noises from outside, and the sound of Fai drinking her blood.
"Your opponents will only become harder and harder to defeat," she told him after healing the injury. "Do be careful tomorrow."
Suddenly, Fai pinned Tsukiko on the bed, his gaze unwavering and seemingly emotionless. Slowly, his mouth rested at the crock of her neck, as if he planned on drinking again.
Tsukiko closed her eyes sadly as he began to lick a certain area. "Tell me, Fai, what are we? Friends? Comrades, even? Or simply companions?"
Fai did not reply, but grazed her neck with a fang softly.
"I suppose it is neither of them then," Tsukiko sighed. "Can you stop that? You already had your drink for the day. You'll have another one tomorrow morning."
Fai lifted himself to look into Tsukiko's now open eyes.
"Tsuki-hime…" he stroked her cheek. "You really do ask unnecessary questions."
"Is that so?" Tsukiko turned her head away from him.
Fai smiled. "Well then, let's go to sleep, shall we?"
He laid down next to her, pulling her close. Used to Fai's antics, Tsukiko fell asleep within seconds. The mage though, remained awake as he passed his hand through her hair.
"You really do ask unnecessary questions," he repeated, gazing at her face. "Mia plej altavora persono."
The next day, Mokona and Tsukiko bid Sakura and the others good luck before they went to face their opponents. As promised, Tsukiko gave Fai a drink before they left, wishing him well.
"I hope they'll win…" Mokona told Tsukiko afterwards.
"Don't worry, they will," Tsukiko reassured her. "I have some errands to run today though, so can you keep the house alone?"
"What are you going to do, Tsukiko?"
"Investigate the feather a bit more. I might not come back to eat though."
"But it's dangerous!" Mokona exclaimed. "Tsukiko, you can't!"
She sighed. "Mokona can't leave because people will be suspicious, but I can. I've also been training, so I'll be fine. After all, Syaoran-kun and I are at the same level."
"…Alright. Come home soon!"
Tsukiko smiled. "Of course!"
She exited the apartment and locked the door. "But considering how long a "chess" match can be, that might not be the case, isn't that right? Lantis, correct?"
The black-haired man bowed briefly. "And you must be Miss Tsukiko Suwa."
Tsukiko showed an envelope with a crown wax seal. "I have received your boss' invitation. The match will begin in a while, but I'd like to have a word with the man beforehand if possible."
"It has already been arranged," Lantis informed her. "If you will follow me."
The room Lantis brought Tsukiko to was quite dark with the exceptions of the screens showing the arena and the contestants. There was a big armchair, similar to a throne, in front of them, in which sat a young man. Another man stood next to that chair, as though a bodyguard.
"I'm glad that you have made it, Miss Suwa," the man in the chair said as he turned towards her. He was Eagle Vision, the head of the Vision family, and the mafia.
"I'm not certain whether I could say the same, Mr. Vision," Tsukiko remained on her guard.
"Please, call me Eagle. I believe that we have much to talk about," he gestured to a seat next to his. "Ward of the Dimensional Witch."
"How did you come across that information?"
"Yuuko-san told me," Eagle smiled. "But she didn't tell me what I should do with the information."
"A customer, huh?" Tsukiko sat down. "And this is your payment for her wish."
"Something like that, yes."
"Why did you "invite" me to view today's match?" she asked calmly.
"I'm quite certain that you want to see what happens in the tournament," Eagle replied. "Also, I wanted to invite you to dinner."
Tsukiko closed her eyes. "I see. Is that all?"
"Today's match is a special one. I wanted to see how you will react."
"Very well," Tsukiko's gaze turned icy.
Sakura sat in a chair, similar to a winged egg (the irony!), chained to it. In front of her, in the arena, were Xiao Lang, Fai and Kurogane, all bound by several chains, tying around their necks and weapons. The same with the opposite team, though wings and outfits were white instead of black.
"Today's match is certainly one you will all enjoy!" the announcer declared. "The tournament has outdone itself! Enough self-promotion! Let's get this started!"
Suddenly, large vines with thorns surrounded the arena.
"You've got to be kidding!" the other man, whose name Tsukiko learned was Geo, exclaimed.
"It's more interesting this way, don't you think?" Eagle said as the audience ooh-ed and aaah-ed.
"READY…" the rabbit raised its hand. "GO!"
The chains fell off immediately, and the fighting began. Kurogane began with a first attack, throwing the other pieces into the wind. Then Fai followed with an attack with his blade. Finally Xiao Lang made his move, but his opponents used their gimmicked weapons to throw Syaoran against the vines behind him.
"Syaoran-kun…"
Tsukiko watched helplessly as Kurogane and Fai rushed to their bloody teammate, still laying on the ground.
"They broke the rules!" Geo exclaimed.
"They did, didn't they?" Eagle said calmly. "Yet look how it has increased the excitement."
"Hey!"
"This is originally an underground game. I think we can let a few minors interactions slide," Eagle shrugged. "We've come this far with that attitude, right?"
"Eagle…" Geo turned towards Tsukiko. "You can't possibly just let this happen, can you?"
"It's all right, Geo," Tsukiko closed her eyes. "They won't lose to cowards so easily. I believe in my friends' abilities."
"OUT OF THE WAY!" Kurogane shouted at the two white pieces who placed themselves between Xiao Lang and his teammates.
However, bug-like robots flew out of the white pieces' staffs, attacking Kurogane and Fai. Soon enough, both of them fell to the ground, though they were at least able to remain kneeling. The look on Sakura's face was also no longer as determined as before.
"When the master begins to lose resolve, the pieces will move slower," Lantis informed Tsukiko.
"This goes beyond rule-breaking!" Geo exclaimed.
"The chess game will continue," Eagle declared.
"Lantis, stop this!"
The man dressed in black only bowed his head wordlessly.
"Aren't you going to say something, Miss Suwa?!" Geo asked. "Aren't they your friends?!"
Tsukiko clenched her hands. "They are. However, I cannot possibly decide to end this match, even if I wanted to. Furthermore…" she looked at the screen anxiously. "I'm sorry."
"I'm not going to sit around and watch people die for this!" Geo stormed out of the room.
"They won't die, Geo," Tsukiko said softly right before the door was slammed shut.
Eagle stood up. "The game will continue!"
The match finished quickly after Xiao Lang stood up. He made Sakura determined again and, with the technique Kurogane taught his other self, defeated the white pieces easily.
"CHECKMATE! BLACK TEAM WINS!"
"She won, but she shows no happiness whatsoever," Eagle commented. "Still, I imagine it can't be helped."
"It certainly can't," Tsukiko sighed.
"Don't you think we should tell Geo?" Lantis asked.
"What do you say, Miss Suwa?"
"If he is like another short-tempered person I know, then he will only get angrier from that," Tsukiko said.
"Now… if things go on as they have now, these young people will be the ones standing in the final game," Eagle declared. "So please go… and wake "her" up."
"Her?" Tsukiko asked as she stood up.
"You'll see, in the final game," Eagle offered his arm. "Since your friends will definitely reach the finals, correct?"
"I see," Tsukiko took the offered arm. "I suppose that it's time for dinner now?"
"Everyone's back!" Mokona declared. "Syaoran's hurt!"
"We're back, Mokona," Fai helped Sakura inside. "Where's Tsuki-hime?"
"She still hasn't come back yet…" Mokona said worriedly. "She left after you did."
"What?" Kurogane asked.
"Tsukiko said that she will look around for the feather and that she might not be back to eat…" Mokona told them. "Mokona said it's dangerous, but Tsukiko still went anyways."
"Tch. I'm going to look for her," Kurogane declared.
"Kurogane," Fai called, stopping him in his tracks. "We're all injured from today's match. Even if you did look for her, what if you get in a scuffle? You also don't know where she is, nor are you familiar with this place."
"You of all people are telling me not to go after her?"
"You should believe in your sister's abilities, Kurogane," Fai said before taking Sakura to her room.
"You won't need to escort me all the way back," Tsukiko told Lantis. "I suppose that you will be picking me up tomorrow as well."
"Yes."
"Will Eagle be inviting Sakura for dinner this time around?" Tsukiko asked.
"If she wins against her next opponent, perhaps," Lantis replied.
"I see… In any case, thank you for driving me there and back."
"You're welcome."
A bit tired from the day's events, Tsukiko opened the door to the apartment, fully intending on getting a good night's rest. However, Fate was not on her side.
"I'm home," Tsukiko said softly.
"Tsukiko!" Mokona jumped into her arms. "Mokona had been so worried!"
"I'm sorry, Mokona-chan, but I'm alright," she replied with a hug. Looking at her brother and Xiao Lang, she smiled sadly. "Looks like you've been in a pinch this time around."
"…"
"Can you get off, Mokona-chan?"
"Yes."
Mokona hopped off as Tsukiko headed towards Xiao Lang, who now wore bandages covering his torso and arms. A soft blue glow covered her hands as she began to heal his injuries, one by one.
"You should keep the bandages tomorrow, if only for show," Tsukiko advised. "Also, I might have missed some scratches and whatnot."
"Thank you, Tsukiko."
"No need," she turned to Kurogane. "It's your turn now."
Grumbling, he let his sister heal his cuts, especially the most serious ones, before speaking.
"What's the big idea? Going out like that?"
"I found it… the area where the feather seems to be in."
"Really?" Mokona asked. "Where?"
"It's near the place where the tournament is," Tsukiko said, omitting to give the exact location. "So you should be able to reach it first. Also, you have a bigger chance of encountering Little Wolf."
"I'm glad…"
"Kurogane…" Mokona watches as the ninja approached them.
Kurogane handed Syaoran a glass of liquor. "Here's liquor, can you drink it?"
"Considering that the other me was able to…"
"I ask if you could drink it."
Xiao Lang looked down. "…I don't know."
He accepted the glass, however, as Kurogane sat down. The ninja got ready to pour a glass for Tsukiko and one for himself when Mokona smiled.
"Yup! Mokona wants to know what "Syaoran" is like when he drinks!" she hopped towards the bottle. "Let's drink!"
"Are you trying to drink directly from the bottle?" Kurogane asked suspiciously.
"Of course!" Mokona replied innocently. "That is exactly what Mokona is going to do!"
The three of them stared as Mokona cuddled the bottle most lovingly.
"Give it back!"
"Never!" Mokona replied.
"Thank you," Xiao Lang smiled softly.
"I know!" Sakura said through her pillow. "I know that he isn't… Syaoran-kun… I've traveled through so many worlds with Syaoran-kun, and though he may be the basis of the one I'm familiar with… I know in my head that they're two different people! But… it's still no good!"
Fai listened to the princess, unable to do anything else.
"It isn't just his face! His voice… and the way he moves… and those straightforward eyes of his… As I find places that look alike… traits that are the same… As I find more and more of them… It's just no good!" Sakura said almost hysterically. "I wonder… if the one in front of me… isn't Syaoran-kun after all…"
"Sakura-chan…" Fai put his hand on hers, hoping to give even a bit of comfort.
However…
'Fai!'
Chii!
'Fai!' Chii continued. 'His Majesty… is awake! Fai… Can you hear me?'
Yes, I can hear you… Fai brought his hand to his chest.
"Fai-san?" Sakura sat up.
"What is it?"
"Has something happened?" Sakura asked.
Fai smiled. "No, nothing…"
Sakura reached towards his lips sadly. "If you don't want to tell me, don't. But when you don't feel like smiling… please don't smile."
Seeing how honest she was, Fai took her hand. "Then… I'd like you to do the same when you're with me, Sakura-chan."
He looked at her. "When we came to this country, and you announced that we would enter the chess tournament… I started to worry. I worried about how you seemed."
Sakura lowered her head as Fai continued speaking. "You've decided not to hesitate anymore. And after, on your journey to find Syaoran-kun… you've had one painful even after the next. However, since we came to this country, you've been shut up in your room for most of the time. You've especially avoided this Syaoran-kun."
Fai's gaze never left Sakura. "Then, there was today's match. To me, it seemed like you wanted people to think that you were hesitating. You wanted us to get that impression. You were trying to get the message to us… that you didn't know if your decisions were right… or if you wanted to be amongst us. And so… even that ninja-san came out and said it. He said, «Sakura's lost her decisive edge». Maybe he said too much?"
Sakura lifted her head, her expression no longer that of pain. "No. When did you figure it out?"
"Oh, probably around the time when you talked to the Dimensional Witch about the prize for the chess tournament," Fai said dismissively. "You said that you wanted to do something to help rebuild the world that Syaoran-kun attacked. When you talked about it, I got this odd feeling. If this had been the old you and you said you wanted to do something to help that country, I'd have thought, «That's what I'd expect of Sakura-chan.» But now, you're different."
"If you wanted to prevent tragedies," Fai continued. "You'd spend more time trying to catch Syaoran-kun, not going around trying to win prize money. So… there's something more than money. I think there must be something else keeping you in this country."
"There is something here that I want," Sakura replied.
"That something…" Fai said thoughtfully. "Would it anger the ones in the living room were they to know about it?"
Sakura thought a bit before answering. It wouldn't anger Tsukiko, who already knew as much as Sakura. But the others…
"I'm sure it would."
"But you want it anyway."
"Yes."
"…I understand. And it will be as you wish," Fai bent down to kiss Sakura's hand. "Because fulfilling your wish is what I wish."
Although…
"There may not be much time left though," he whispered.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Xiao Lang was sprawled on the couch and Tsukiko had also fell asleep, leaning against Kurogane.
"This Syaoran is a fun drunk," Mokona whispered as Kurogane gave her a refill. "But this Syaoran has too many worries. Asleep so quickly. Tsukiko too."
"Well, with the princess' attitude…" Kurogane replied. Everyone was affected by each other's feelings…
"Sakura has had painful times," Mokona shrugged. "With Syaoran gone and all…"
"That isn't the only thing. Something's being hidden from us," Kurogane said as he looked towards Sakura's room. He didn't know what exactly, but he had a feeling that it was something they wouldn't be happy about.
"Fai is? Sakura is?" Mokona asked.
"Both, I guess…" Kurogane lowered his head. "But the princess especially. Tsukiko might be hiding something too, but I'm not sure. It probably has nothing to do with them though." Since she was worrying about the mage and the people in Song Country. "Haven't you noticed anything?"
"Nothing when Mokona is awake, but Mokona can't tell when Mokona is asleep," Mokona replied. "Back when talking to Fai, Yuuko told Mokona to sleep, and even when Mokona was asleep, Yuuko and Fai talked. So if Sakura talked to Yuuko while Mokona was asleep, Mokona doesn't know about it."
"…"
"Even so…" Xiao Lang said, dazed. "I'll protect her… no matter what…"
Kurogane closed the boy's eyes. "Sleep."
"You sleep too," he told Mokona.
"What about Kurogane?"
"There's still some left," Kurogane gestured towards his bottle.
"With Kurogane awake everybody can sleep and feel safe!" Mokona said happily.
Kurogane made Mokona lie on her stomach, then Mokona went to snuggle under Xiao Lang's arm. After they fell asleep, Kurogane sighed as he looked towards Sakura's room. "First one, now all of them."
Fai opened the door a few minutes later before closing it gently. "Sakura is fast asleep now. Well, I suppose that everyone is. Except for Kurogane."
"Are you going to bring her to your room?" the ninja asked as Fai walked towards them.
"She's having a rough time lately," Fai carried Tsukiko in his arms. "She needs rest."
"Just what is going on between you two?"
"What do you mean?" Fai smiled.
"After she saved your life in Tokyo, you've avoided her," Kurogane declared. "Then a few worlds ago, you two came back together and you have been alternating between the princess and her ever since. You even suggested sharing a room with Tsukiko when we saw that there were only four rooms."
"…I owe her a lot. That's why I want to be by her side while I can."
"What if what you want and what Tsukiko wants are two completely different things?"
"…Good night."
"Good morning, Aniki," Tsukiko greeted from the kitchen. "Here, breakfast."
Staring at the plate of eggs and sausages, Kurogane frowned.
"Is the mage awake?"
Tsukiko nodded as she prepared another plate. "He went to Sakura's room just earlier."
Kurogane slowly ate his meal as his sister sat in front of him. Even though they weren't all in the same room, the atmosphere was still so tense…
"What's going on right now?" the ninja asked. "Between you and the mage?"
"Nothing in particular," Tsukiko shrugged. "It's the same as always."
"You mean the same as two months ago," he pointed out.
Tsukiko didn't disapprove his statement.
"Don't tell me if you don't want to, but I'll be watching," Kurogane declared. "If that mage hurts you, I'll handle him myself."
"Overprotective, eh?"
"…Shut up."
Tsukiko drank some coffee. "It's a hard time for all of us now. It can't be helped. We should be able to breathe easier… once we've overcome this obstacle."
"Obstacle?" Kurogane frowned.
"If we do, our bonds may yet grow stronger," Tsukiko ignored him. "Well, I hope so anyways."
"They won, huh?" Eagle commented as the match finished. "That means the final match will be your friends versus «her»."
"So it seems. They don't intend to lose the finals either," Tsukiko replied evenly.
"Where's Geo?" Eagle asked Lantis.
"He says that he refuse to come into this room."
"He doesn't like me anymore, does he?" Eagle guessed. "Well, while he' hating me, please ask him to do me a favor. I'd like him to invite… that young lady to dine with me."
Led by Geo, Sakura entered the greenhouse where the chairman of the chess tournament and the head of the Vision family was waiting for her. Geo had told her she would be alone, but it seemed that it was not the case.
"Sakura, I'm glad you came," Tsukiko smiled. "This is Eagle, the one who invited you. He had also invited me, yesterday and today, to view your matches."
Sakura bowed. "It's nice to meet you. My name is Sakura."
"I'm glad to have you. Please, have a seat," Eagle gestured to the empty chair.
After the three of them finished dinner, Eagle began his Q&A session.
"Do you enjoy the food of this country?"
"Yes," Sakura replied.
"Your manners are perfect," he commented. "That's what I'd expect from a princess… even if she is from another dimension."
Sakura flinched, only a tiny bit, at his words.
"I didn't tell him," Tsukiko sipped some tea. "He already knew when I first met him."
"…"
"You're after the prize money from the chess tournament, aren't you?" Eagle smiled pleasantly.
"I want that as well," Sakura told him as she drank some tea.
"By which you mean… that you also want something other than the money."
"I heard about it from a certain someone. That the winner of this particular tournament receives a special prize," Sakura put down her cup.
"And you know what that prize is?"
"Yes."
"I've been watching your movements ever since you people entered into the tournament," Eagle admitted. "And it seems that not everything is well between you and your fellow travelers."
"Do I have to answer to that?"
"No," Eagle let go of his cup. "But still… I wonder if that isn't the reason… that you desire that thing."
"Yes," Sakura closed her eyes. "That's why I want it. The other prize of this chess tournament. The ability to travel to another dimension by myself."
"You people had some method of coming to this world," Eagle pointed out.
"Yes, a method obtained by a price that all of us had paid," Tsukiko replied, surprising Sakura.
"The method of traveling universes that I offer has limits," Eagle added.
"I know that," Sakura told him as she recalled how she came to make her decision.
"From whom did you hear that there was another prize in the tournament?"
Tsukiko narrowed her eyes. Just what was Eagle playing at? Surely Yuuko must have already given him enough information about their situation. Or, could it be Yuuko instructed him to act as though he didn't know?
"Do I have to answer to that?" Sakura asked.
"No, but one aspect of secrets is that they leak out. If they didn't leak, they wouldn't be interesting," the head of the Vision family declared.
"The method is given to the winner. But is able to take one person to another place only once," Sakura stated.
"Exactly. Also, you have no choice in the world you are sent too."
Except if you paid the price which will enable you to do so. Tsukiko thought back to Sakura's wish.
"Are you that determined to be separated… from those men?"
Sakura's hand shook at the question.
"…Yes."
"A young lady going alone to an unknown dimension?!" Geo exploded. "That's far too reckless!"
"Very well," Eagle acknowledged as Lantis stopped Geo from interrupting further. "Then after tomorrow's match, if you are able to repeat your impressive string of wins…I'll hand over to you… her."
"Her?" Sakura repeated.
"Yes, she will take you to a different dimension."
Is it the same "her" he spoke of before? No… Eagle said that tomorrow, Sakura will have to defeat "her" to gain the prize. So someone, or something else, will take Sakura to that world she wants to go to.
I hear a melody
Fai stands back to the moon as wind blew past him with Kurogane sitting on a rock, facing the moon
Created by an ocean breeze
Sitting near Fai, Sakura looks down sadly as Syaoran glanced at her with concern
A familiar tune that I've forgotten
Tsukiko stopped playing her flute with Mokona on her shoulder
Memories of the body, memories of the mind
Chan and Watanuki appear back to back
Neither is more important than the other
Yuuko and Clow's magic circles appear behind Chan and Watanuki respectively
How many did I gain, how many did I lose ever since
Sakura and Syaoran (clone) lay on the ground, both grasping the same feather
That day long ago; I cannot recall
We zoom into the feather, then it shatters and vanishes
I don't want to forget anything anymore
Yuuko stands in front of her shop, dressed in the butterfly kimono
I don't want to go through that again
She reaches out for something solemnly
In this awful dark abyss of nothingness
Fai appears at the base of a tower and accepts an offer
I do not want to let go of that hand
Tomoyo sees Kurogane in Dreams and quickly grabs his hand
Let snow melt into spring as we move towards the light
Snow is blown away, slowly replaced by cherry blossoms
With all of our precious people
Everyone stands on a mountain, watching the sun rise
Once more a phoenix and a dragon are flying around the moon
A white phoenix and a silver dragon fly around a blue moon
I wonder who they were waiting for as waves crashed against the shore
Tsukiko, scepter in hand, stood on a cliff above the raging sea
A snow flower falls into my hand as the phoenix flew above me
Snow and white petals fell from the sky as Fai came behind her with a fur coat
It was blown away as the dragon followed its friend
Tsukiko turns around, only to have Kurogane ruffle her hair
Clow: There isn't much to be said about this chapter. All we can do is to wait for events to unfold by themselves.
Pure-chan: Thank you for hosting this chapter for us. As for you, readers, please continue to wait for our future chapters and post reviews. You may request hosts, as usual, but there is a chance that they cannot accept your request for a while yet. As such, Tomoyo-hime shall be hosting the next chapter with a mystery character. Please follow, favorite and review!