Hey everyone. I'm glad you liked the first chapter. Yes it was a background chapter. From now on we'll get into more familiar territory but you might need to reference with me if you get confused.
To Monique, yes I did come up with this in my dream. I really want to take the opportunity to thank you for the support and to everyone else who had reviewed with some encouragement to keep writing. If it wasn't for you guys I probably wouldn't have even gotten up to chapter two of forever in one moment.
Well anyway. Here is chapter two. I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer. I own the plot and ay character that is not in the series. Sakura, Syaoran, Eriol, Tomoyo, Meilin and any other character that is in the CCS episodes or manga belong to clamp. So if you want to use one of my characters ask me first. Not that anyone would want to. The poem at the beginning is mine too.
***
The shadows whispered warning as the night begins to rise
The falling sun shines its last raise of light and all protection is gone
The dark full moon begins to burn the pitch-black sky as mortal footsteps come so nearThe blood of the innocent
The blood of a lamb
The skin of a maiden so lovely so pure
He watches her silently no need for breath
She is fragile slim but beautifulThe beautiful young lamb
The night shines on her as if she was not of this world and he's had enough
He walked silently without a warning
Stalking her slowly with her unaware
He desires her,
He desires her innocence
She now feels a presence, a feeling of dread but yet excitement
He follows her quietly wanting her
Yearning for her
As if to answer his calling she stops and he is so close to her fragile but beautiful skin.
Her delicate neck.
She is afraid but will not run
She can't now
She has become the lamb of the night and he will feast on her life
He holds her gently
Embracing her skin before he takes her
She shivered trembles knowing her fate
But he wants more from her than a meal
The night becomes still as he embraces her life, her blood
In frenzy he feeds on her flesh
She becomes lifeless in the darkness
Now drifting from this life,
This world that she once knew
He has finished but the night yearns for her still
The wind sways on her lifeless body as he goes to revive her
As he lets her embrace him in turn
She returns from the light back into the dark night
No longer innocent but still she is pure
Seeing two worlds she cries in agony
For despair
She has allowed her embrace and her cries echo with the wind
Her sobs are driven in the darkness
And what was once is no more
The voice spoke softly and soothingly to the children around him. The words so dark but so real that they could not help but listen. They were not afraid.
They couldn't be afraid because it was real and one day they would face the darkness like anyone else would.
The boy sat at the far corner of the room listening as the little girl with jade eyes sat in the arms of the soothing voiced man. Her eyes full of innocence and the boy couldn't help but think the poem was written about her. How the darkness could consume things so chaste.
He watched as she giggled and cooed in her father's arms and listened to him read to the children. The boy could only fear the worst for this child because he sensed great challenges ahead.
'I have to protect her.' He said in his mind. A cloaked figure stood beside him and placed his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"In the end there will be nothing you can do. It is their destiny to fight alone." The man said. The boy looked up with anger.
"I'll protect her." He knew that man. From where though?
"No. You can't protect her because she needs to face it alone. When the time comes you will understand."
"No I won't accept it. I can't let her get hurt." He cried out. No one else in the room flinched. As if he wasn't even there.
"You don't have a choice. She chose her path and she must follow it. Gentle creature, so pure and full of life. She is the hope of this world. Protect her while you can and then let the damned one take your place as her defender." With that he disappeared.
"Wait, what do you mean?" The boy called out. He was alone now. No one was there. Only an angel.
"Please help me. I need to find my way." She said. He couldn't see her face.
"How can I help you?" He aside desperately.
"Show me the way." She whispered and grabbed his hand.
***
Touya woke up in a cold sweat. He was shivering as he remembered the dream. How vivid it had felt. So real. So terrible. Always the same. They always said the same thing. Protect her until the damned one claimed his right to be her champion.
Who was the damned one? Why couldn't he protect her? Who was she? She was a beautiful child and he always saw her like that. A child.
Looking out his window he saw that it was near dawn. A little too early for his training but maybe he'd be able to see his father and the other men training.
He got out of bed slowly and walked to his parents main bedroom. He peaked inside and saw his mother sleeping soundly her hand protectively on her swollen belly. It was December. Nadeshiko was five months pregnant and was showing.
Walking quietly up to the side of the bed he leaned over and gave his mother a kiss on her forehead then leaning against her stomach he kissed where the baby was.
"Good morning Okaa-san. Imouto." He said in a low whisper as not to disturb them. He walked out of the room and ran towards the training areas which were in a separate section to the main house.
He went into the main living area and opened the large glass doors that lead to the separate areas. The servants house, the training area, the arena, the shrine, the gardens and the forests.
The forest was what connected the seven clans. Each clan had a vast piece of land but it was all connected with the forest. It had rivers and waterfalls. The trees were strong and tall and it was truly a sight to behold.
He took a glance towards the training area and saw all the men ready for their morning training. Boys his age were trained later in the morning.
After that he'd be taken to school and spend the day there. After that he'd come home and eat then do his homework and then he'd have time to play with the children from the other clans. After that it was an hour of training and then bed. It was a daily routine that only changed on the weekend.
He walked up towards the swarm of men and sat down on a flat rock that overlooked the training area.
They all were concentrating on the fight that was going on at the moment. It was between his father and another of the dragon clan warriors.
His father was a skilled fighter but wasn't interested in war. The scorpion clan had that reputation.
Non of the other clans were interested in war really. There had been too much blood shed in the past to revive it. The scorpion clan wanted power. It was never a good thing to get on the wrong side of a scorpion.
Touya focused his aura on the fight and watched every magical move the two fighters made. He was young but he held magical powers. He could feel things that others couldn't. See things no one would ever believe except his mother. He'd told her once that he'd seen his grandfather who had passed away only a year before and when he told her things he couldn't possibly know she believed him.
They continued to fight gracefully Each move looking more like a dance rather than a fighting technique.
The weather was rather cold and the young heir was glad he bought a coat to wear. The mornings were too cold and he thought towards Christmas. His little sister wasn't due for another four months so he wouldn't need to get her anything yet.
He didn't know why he knew he was having a little sister he just knew. He was glad. He wanted a little sister just like his father wanted a little girl. Someone who would look up to him for guidance and protection.
'Protect her while you can and then let the damned one take your place as her defender' The words kept ringing in his head. He didn't understand. He wasn't even seven yet and he got these dreams. Were they talking about his sister? He really didn't know and he doubted he could tell anyone except Yukito.
Yukito was his best friend. He was part of the hawk clan. They'd known each other forever and had always been partners though they were complete opposites.
Touya had a defensive manner to him. He usually didn't trust many people and would scowl at anyone he didn't like. He also liked to tease the girls.
Yukito on the other hand always had a smile on his face. It didn't matter what was happening he always saw a bright side. He was a gentle boy who was kind to everyone he saw.
He also had the tendency to eat a lot for a boy his age. He ate as much as a full grown man. He was only six.
"Kimoto-san your son decided to join us this morning." One of the men said when he noticed Touya on the rock. Fujitaka had finished his duel and walked up to his son.
"Ohayo Tou-san." He said looking at his father tower over him.
"Ohayo Touya. What are you doing up so early?"
"I just woke up early." He shrugged. No need to tell him about the dream. No one would believe him so what was the point.
"Well if you're up early might as well start training. Go get changed."
He bowed and ran off to change into his clothing.
***
"Xiao Lang, no." Yelen called out as her son tried to run towards his father's swords. Yen walked in at that moment and picked the small child up before he could get to his destination.
"Are you causing trouble for your mother again little wolf?" He asked looking at the boy straight in the eye.
He shook his head and looked at his father with his piercing amber eyes. He wasn't even a year old and he was already walking. He wouldn't talk much though.
He was constantly running off towards the weapons and trying to imitate his father. His curiosity would land him into situations he shouldn't have been in. When he started walking he would try to follow Yen to go training and would end up with a bump when someone accidentally tripped over him because he was so small.
"You know you shouldn't go near the weapons. You'll get hurt again. When you're older I'll let you train with me but for now go play." His father said. His son didn't have enough fun. They tried to get him to play with the other kids but he wouldn't
The only children he'd get near were Eriol and his cousin Meilin. Everyone saw Eriol and Xiao Lang together. They saw them as best friends. Though they really didn't get along that well. Eriol liked to be naughty and Xiao Lang didn't but somehow the older baby seemed to convince the little wolf to get into trouble.
Meilin was born two days after Eriol and though she still didn't talk she could scream louder than anyone and was constantly at Xiao Lang's heels. That really annoyed him. Wherever Xiao Lang and Eriol went Meilin had to follow.
Yelen grabbed Xiao Lang out of her husband's arms and sat down with him in her arms. His sisters came up and started to coo and talk to him.
"Little brother's always getting into trouble and its so kawaii." Fei Mei said with a squeal.
"Look he's frowning. How cute." Fuutie said giving his cheek a little pinch.
He wasn't very happy as he glared as his sisters. By now Xie Fa could talk enough to keep up with her sisters babble and it was just another person to annoy him.
"Aunty Nadeshiko!" Fan Ran called out when she saw the mistress of the dragon clan walk towards them with Sonomi and Yang.
"Aunty Sonomi can we see Tomoyo?" Fuutie asked looking at the small bundle in the woman's arms. Daidouji Tomoyo had been born on the third of September and Sonomi had gloated about winning the bet.
"Of course." Sonomi said sitting across from Yelen. Tomoyo had short black hair with big dark blue eyes that sparkled.
"KAWAII." The girls squealed when they saw the little baby. She was small and at the moment she was asleep. Well that was before all the noise woke her up.
She opened her eyes and saw all the girls looking at her. She smiled at them and reached out to grab Fuutie's long hair. She didn't pull on it she just played with it.
"So cute and pretty." She cooed as she caressed the baby's hand. Tomoyo was actually as excitable as the girls themselves. She would always giggle and laugh at anything the girls though was cute and she was only four months old.
Eriol stood close to Sonomi still holding his mother's hand. He looked at the baby who was only a few months younger than him with curiosity. His ever present smile plastered on his face.
Xiao Lang sat on his mother's lap and watched his sister fret over the baby. He didn't really understand why these girls did that. At least it drew attention away from himself.
Eriol looked up and smiled at the little wolf. He let go of his mother's hand and toddled to the other side of the table to greet his rival/friend.
Xiao Lang looked up and only scowled as his greetings while Eriol gave a big smile. It was always this way. It was their own little way of talking since they still couldn't talk.
"I felt it move." Fei Mei said snapping the two boys out of their gazes. They turned their little heads to see the girls paying attention to Nadeshiko's stomach. Fei Mei had a big grin on her face as she felt the little baby move inside.
"I felt it too." Xie Fa exclaimed happily.
Though still very young Eriol understood a lot and he was very curious about the new baby. He could feel the aura coming from it and it made the whole place feel warm.
"Xiao Lang, Eriol come and feel the baby." Yang said calling them to feel Nadeshiko's stomach. Touya stood beside her with a scowl on his face when Xiao Lang came closer out of curiosity.
Eriol happily placed his hand on Nadeshiko's stomach and waited a few minutes till the little baby kicked his hand. He broke into a big grin and grabbed Xiao Lang's little hand and placed it next to his.
He had a scowl of concentration because he couldn't feel anything. Why was everyone so happy about this? What was so great about some baby kicking? He used to kick when he was inside his mother's stomach. All babies did it. Big deal.
He was about to let go of his hand when he felt something. It wasn't a kick though; it felt as if the baby was reaching for him. It was a very gentle movement.
He kept his hand there and looked at his aunt's stomach with shock and wonder. Everything just disappeared for a moment and only that feeling was left.
He took his hand away abruptly and stalked away a little shaken by the experience. Touya had felt the brief energy pull and he didn't like it. If he hadn't liked the Li clan's heir before he hated him now.
Everyone thought it was sweet that Xiao Lang had kept his hand there but Nadeshiko had felt the baby's change of mood when he'd felt the baby's movements. What was going on?
'That felt strange. What did you feel my little one?' She thought to her baby.
"Nadeshiko are you alright?" Yang asked when she didn't respond to any of their questions.
"Yes I'm fine. Just got a little lost in thought that's all." She said. Luckily no one noticed the far off tone of her voice.
"I was saying that your son looked so adorable when he felt Nadeshiko's stomach Yelen, but he always looks so serious. Is something wrong with him?" Sonomi said as she fed her daughter.
"No. He's just like that." She said with a sigh. Her son was always so uptight and serious.
"Little brother is very kawaii." Xie Fa said happily as they watched Eriol trying to get Meilin who had just appeared off Xiao Lang.
"He doesn't talk yet does he?" Nadeshiko asked. Yelen shook her head.
"Neither does Eriol. He likes to be quiet. It will take them some time but at least they walk around." Yang said. They watched the children play until the other women came to join them.
Sachi, Umeko and Xiu Mei greeted the group along with their own children.
"Hello minna." Sun Umeko said politely. Her eleven year old daughter and her two year old son stood beside her. The girl had a brilliant smile but the boy just looked arrogant.
"Hello Umeko. Sachi where are your children?" Meng Sachi had three sons and one daughter. Today she had left the boys at home. One was almost ten and the other two being twins were seven.
"Hao wanted them to stay home. I bought Yukito though." Yukito was Sachi's nephew and since he was Touya's best friend she decided to bring him.
Xiu Mei had three daughters and two sons. The girls were in their teens but her two sons were six and one and a half.
"You are almost there Nadeshiko." Umeko said sitting down. She smiled and nodded.
"Yes. I really hope it's a girl." She said softly. The others looked at her in sympathy.
"Don't worry Nadeshiko. Like our ancestors blessed Yelen they will bless you." Xiu Mei said softly.
"I hope so."
***
Sun Wang stood in the center of the arena and breathed in slowly. He wasn't fighting. He was meditating. Soon the dragon clan would have a new child in their midst and he for one wanted it to be a girl.
Clan tradition said that the daughter of the dragon clan would HAVE to marry one of the other clans heirs. A tournament would be held after she turned eighteen to determine the strongest warrior. The winner of this tournament would marry her. Whether she liked it or not.
He was going to make sure his son Yu got that position. He didn't care what he had to do. Who he had to bribe. Who he needed to kill to get what his clan deserved.
The dragon clan had been chosen by Clow Reed himself to rule over the others. He had left it in the hands of his daughter who passed it on to her descendents. It was unfair. His clan had always been strongest and Clow had chosen the dragons.
"Well once my son has control that will all change." He muttered to himself as he concentrated.
"What are you muttering Wang?" Umeko asked as she walked in with Yu in her arms.
"Don't carry him woman. He needs to learn to do things on his own. He can walk." He complained. She set her son down and sighed.
"I wish you'd be less harsh with him. He's only a baby." She was getting tired of the way he treated her and their children.
"He's not a baby. He's growing and he needs to train now so he can be strong when he's older." He growled. "Or do you want a weak son?"
"No of course not but he's not even three. You don't let him play, you make him wake up at excruciatingly early hours to have him concentrate on things he doesn't even understand."
"He's a smart boy. He'll learn." He said grabbing his son's hand and taking him away from her.
"Oh why do I put up with him?" She mumbled and went back to the main house. Wang was always like this. Ever since they'd met. Her marriage had been arranged to him and over time she'd grown to love him even with his bad temper.
She walked in and thought about everything that was going on. Everyone was having children and she had been glad at first. Her son would have someone to play with. To be normal with but her husband refused that. He wanted to control his son so that he could become strong.
Umeko didn't want that for her son but what else could she do. She couldn't fight him because he'd just push her away and most of the clan agreed with him.
The scorpion clan wanted something that could only belong to the dragon clan. Supreme power. Reed had given dragons that power and almost all scorpions resented it.
She didn't. She didn't care about all that. It was pointless politics. Something her children didn't need. She tried to teach them to get along with the others but everyone would just fill their heads with ideas.
Her daughter didn't listen because she was older but her son was very impressionable and was picking up a lot of things that scorpions held. Arrogance and rebellious spirits. They looked out for their own.
"Stupid traditions. Has him blind." She said and sat down in the small coffee room.
***
Winter ended and march brought forth the spring. The clans prepared for the spring festival and the birthdays of some of the children.
Eriol and Meilin would have their first birthday and Nadeshiko's second child was due also.
"Okaa-san." Eriol called out happily. It was two days till his birthday and he was very excited. Everyone had been doting on him and telling him how special that day would be.
He had recently learned to talk as had Meilin and Xiao Lang but they still had trouble saying a few words.
Yang turned away from the people she was talking to and extended her arms out to pick up the young boy. He was very playful but very insightful and she loved him dearly.
"What's wrong my sweet?" She said as she held him in her arms. He smiled happily and snuggled up to her.
"Birthday." He simply said. He couldn't say proper sentences.
"Yes I know it will be your birthday soon. What about it?" She asked.
"Tomoyo." He stated happily. Yang smiled at this. He had become quite fond of the snake clan child and he would always try to help her when she tried to crawl around.
"What about Tomoyo?" 'Maybe an arranged marriage wouldn't hurt. No what am I thinking.'
"She come?" He asked. His voice full of hope.
"Of course she's coming . She wouldn't miss the birthday of Eriol Hiirazigawa for anything." She said lifting him into the air. He giggled happily as she played with him. Yang was always very playful.
"Really?"
"Really. She wouldn't miss it I promise." She said
He smiled and she placed him back on the floor where he ran off in search of something.
'Now where is he off to?' She asked herself.
"What are you thinking of love?" Shin asked from behind her.
"Oh. Eriol has been acting a little strange lately. Especially about Tomoyo. Always asks for her. He just asked if she was coming to his birthday."
"I'll call Hung for arrangements immediately." He teased. Yang rolled her eyes and hit him playfully.
"That's not funny." She said.
"I thought it was." He said with an innocent smile. Something she noticed her son had inherited. Whenever he had something up his sleeve he used that smile.
"What are you planning?" She asked narrowing her eyes.
"Nothing." He said charmingly. He gave her his full attention and bought her close.
"Shin please. You didn't do anything that I asked you not to? Sonomi will have your hind along with Hung's if you've planned something." She warned.
"I haven't planned a thing. Just something I have up my sleeve, but it's not and arrangement between our son and Daidouji's daughter."
"Then what?" She asked suspiciously.
"Oh curious?"
"No. Well yes." She said. He came closer to her and kissed her nose.
"Don't worry love. You'll find out soon enough."
"I hate it when you do that. Tell me." She pleaded.
"No. You'll find out on Eriol's birthday. It's something that I've been working on."
"Please."
"No."
She pouted and walked away. He didn't try to follow her because she'd probably convince him to tell her if he did. This way she might forget about it.
'Eriol will love his surprise.'
At that moment Eriol came back holding a little shoe box and looked around for his mother. He saw his father and ran up to him.
"Otou-san? Where Okaa-san?" He said in his own baby tone.
"Your Okaa-san has gone off to sulk. So don't disturb her." He said with mirth in his voice. "What's in the box son?"
He saw his son fidget a little. As if he was debating with himself whether or not to show his father. In the end he opened the little box and pulled out a few things. Most of them things he'd made.
"What's all this?" Shin asked looking at the drawings and the little hair ribbon that was made from purple ribbon. "Where did you get this?"
"Okaa-san friend." He said trying to find the words. "Let me have."
"Why would you want a hair ribbon? It's not long enough yet and besides this looks like it's for a girl."
Eriol sighed and looked at his father as if to say. 'Try to keep up.' Then he placed the box down and sighed again.
"Tomoyo." Was all he needed to say His father caught on. The hair ribbon was for Tomoyo. The drawings were for Tomoyo.
"Tomoyo? Ok. Well then you like Tomoyo?" He said with a tone that was teasing.
Eriol shook his head. No he didn't like Tomoyo. She was just different. Special.
"You don't like Tomoyo? Then why are you giving her a hair ribbon and drawings?" Shin asked looking at the drawings. They were not very detailed since he was only one. Well almost but they were good for his age.
That confused him. He didn't like Tomoyo but he was giving her these things. He shook his head trying to figure it out.
"It's ok. You like her; you don't like her. Give her the things. She'll like them." He said and got up.
Little Eriol look very confused. He didn't know about things like this. He was only one. Though he didn't dislike Tomoyo. On the contrary. He thought highly of her but why was his father making fun of him?
Adults were strange.
***
It had been decided that since Meilin and Eriol's birthdays were so close they'd have a large birthday for the both of them in the forest. Every member of the clans was to attend so it would be a very large event.
The children were screaming with joy as they followed the dancing lion around. Birthdays were the times children could be just that. Children and their parents couldn't stop them.
Xiao Lang sat close to his best friend Eriol as they played another game. He didn't want to play but so much insistence. He wasn't used to saying no. Just glaring.
"Little brother, Eriol come on. Get in the circle." Fei Mei said. Most of the other children were already in a circle. They just needed to birthday boy and girl.
Tomoyo sat on Sonomi's lap. Being too little to play. Eriol and Xiao Lang got in the circle. They had no idea how to play they'd just been told that Eriol and Meilin would need to start blowing when they got into the middle.
There were at least thirty children in total. Everyone between one and twelve had to play. The others were permitted but only if they wanted to.
The children started to walk inwards till they were more or less in the center. Eriol and Meilin started to blow and then everyone else moved out still holding hands.
Eriol kept blowing as they moved out and he realized that it was getting harder to hold Xiao Lang or Fei Mei's hands.
The further out they went the harder it was to hold on. Just like a balloon. He started to enjoy himself and took deeper breaths making the children go faster until they couldn't hold on any longer.
Giggling and screaming they all fell onto the floor. It was silly for the adults to watch but the children were having an amazing time just enjoying their innocence.
The older ones seemed to enjoy more. They'd all been training for so long and this precious time was essential to keep them stable.
Xiao Lang didn't understand why they did all this but he was enjoying it. It was different than the other celebrations.
Fuutie had been placed in charge of games and she was enjoying it immensely.
"Alright I'll put you into groups." She announced. She handed each group a piece of paper and a map.
The groups were not split according to clan. Things like this could never be done that way. It created rivalry so they just split at random. There were mixed ages. That way everyone could play.
Eriol, Xiao Lang, Yu, Fei Mei, a girl named Sandra and a boy named Yamazaki were placed in one group. The point of the game was to solve clues to get to the prize at the end.
"What's our clue?" Sandra asked Fei Mei. They were the oldest and also the only ones who could read.
"It's a picture." She said. Everyone looked and saw a picture of a large stone dog. "What could it mean?"
Eriol looked at the picture. It looked familiar. He smiled when he remembered where it was from and started to waddle off towards the house.
"Eriol!" Xiao Lang called out and followed him. Yu sulked behind while the others ran after them.
Eriol raced along as fast as his little legs could take him. Xiao Lang not far behind with the others still keeping up.
They all stopped when they saw a large dog statue in front of the shrine. Eriol remembered passing by one day when he was playing with his father.
"Is this it?" Sandra asked looking for the next clue.
"Must be." Fei Mei replied.
"Look." Yamazaki cried out seeing a piece of paper hanging out of the dog's open mouth. Fei Mei climbed up and got it. It had the word cherry blossom with a picture of a bird next to it.
The boys were stumped right there. They didn't know how to read or understand cryptic riddles.
"Hmm. Cherry blossoms and a bird. There are so many cherry blossoms here. We'd never find the right one."
"Bird." Xiao Lang said looking at the sky.
"No little brother that's a kite."
"BIRD!" He said pointing his chubby finger to the kite. The others looked up and saw the kite was in the form of a bird and it had…
"CHERRY BLOSSOMS. Oh little brother you're so smart." Fei Mei squealed and she grabbed their hands and raced off with Sandra running after her with Yu and Yamazaki.
They continued to play the game until it was almost dark. Then they were allowed to eat a very large dinner and the fireworks went off to celebrate the festivities.
No one really noticed Shin come out with a very large box that held Eriol's gift.
"Eriol come." He ordered when all the presents had been opened. "This is especially for you."
Eriol looked at the box curiously and with a cheer he started to rip the paper apart. Everyone else laughed at his enthusiasm and he opened the box to reveal something that made everyone gasp.
There floated a little kitten with wings on his back that looked like a toy. Next to him sat a small girl that had a very big smile on her face.
"Hello little master." The kitten said floating to Eriol's face. Eriol smiled and said hello back.
"Eriol this is Spinel sun and Ruby moon." Shin explained. "They'll be your guardians."
Ruby moon hugged Spinel sun very hard and screamed out. "SUPPI."
Eriol giggled and called out "Nakuru."
"Where did you hear that?" Yang asked her son. He'd never heard the word before. Eriol just shrugged and said Nakuru again as if he was naming her.
"Well I guess your name is Nakuru." Shin said to Ruby moon who was still hugging Spinel.
"Yes master." She said happily. She let go of Spinel sun and looked around. She seemed uninterested at first but then noticed Touya and got even more excited than she'd been at first and ran up to him and latched onto his arm.
"Ah get off me." He protested.
"Hello. I'm Nakuru." She said with a big smile on her face.
"Touya." He said with a frown. Yukito just chuckled. "This is Yukito."
"Hello." Yukito said politely. She didn't take any notice.
"Will you be mine? I like you."
"No. I don't like you."
"Please."
***
"Yen your son has a liking for soccer I see." Kuang commented as the little wolf watched the other boys play.
It was the first of April and that meant the spring festival. The entire city was in festivities. Each clan was in charge of one part of the festival and the wolf clan had been in charge of the sporting entertainment.
"Yes. I hope he grows to enjoy it." Yen said. Xiao Lang liked watching the older boys play. Liked watching their tactics. He would sometimes mimic them but end up in a bundle on the floor.
""He seems to enjoy many sports. Especially when it comes to fighting. Will be a good thing for when he grows older. Don't you think?" Wang said from behind them.
"Hai. It will be. Though right now he's too small for that sort of thing." Yen said. He got an instant chill up his spine when Wang was around.
"You should start training him soon. Yu started training around his age and he's two now." He said smugly.
"It's a little too young. Xiao Lang will start his training when I think he's ready. He's nowhere near that."
"Pity. You could have had a strong son. He'll be pretty pathetic if you don't train him young."
"Thank you for your concern Sun but I think I know how to handle my own son's training." Yen said coldly.
"Just a suggestion." With that the scorpion leader walked away.
"Don't listen to him. He's just an arrogant fool." Kuang said. No one really trusted Sun sometimes.
"I know. He's just so determined to show off his son. Poor child doesn't even play."
"I've noticed. He's only a baby too."
"OTOU-SAN!" Four high pitched female voices called out. Yen turned around to see his four daughters running up to him.
"Your girls are hyperactive." Kuang said with a chuckle.
"That they are."
"Otou-san. Aunty Nadeshiko." Fuutie panted.
"What's wrong with your aunt?" Yen said concerned.
"Where is uncle Fujitaka?" Fan Ran asked.
"He's over there." Kuang said
"What's wrong?"
"BABY." Was all the girls said before running of in search of the dragon leader.
Touya having heard their screams ran off the field and towards the place his mother was.
Yen picked Xiao Lang up and raced after Touya in an effort to find out what was going on.
"What's going on?" Fujitaka asked when he ran beside him.
"I don't know. Just something about your child." He responded. Xiao Lang was a little shocked about all the excitement. What was wrong with his aunt's baby?
"AHHHHH." A loud scream was heard from the balconies along with someone calling for a doctor.
They ran faster until they reached the bottom of the balconies.
"Too many stairs." Yen said and making his son hold onto his arms he gabbed onto the nearest railing and leaped up. Grabbing Touya, Fujitaka did the same.
A crowd of women was huddled in a circle looking very worried.
"What's going on?" Fujitaka asked placing Touya back on the floor. The moved away to reveal Sonomi holding Nadeshiko's hand as she cried out in pain.
"It's too soon. It's not time yet." She said holding her tummy.
Fujitaka went to her side and tried to comfort her. It was too soon. A whole month too soon.
"Where's the doctor?" He cried out when another contraction hit.
"We don't know. Don't worry. We'll try to get her into the house." Sonomi said. Grabbing his wife Fujitaka carried her to one of the bedrooms but Nadeshiko was finding it hard to breath.
She screamed in pain again. Why was this happening? Why were the gods punishing her baby?
"Please don't let anything happen to my baby." She whispered to the heavens. "Please. Don't take it away from me."
"Nadeshiko no one will take your baby away." Sonomi assured placing a wet cloth on her forehead.
"It hurts so much. Why does it hurt so much?"
"Oh no." Yelen said when she checked if the baby was alright.
"What's wrong Yelen?" Fujitaka asked panicked.
"We need the doctor now."
"We can't find him." One of the attendants cried out in frustration. This was a serious matter. The baby was a whole month premature and by the looks on Yelen's face it was in danger.
Xiao Lang watched from the corner of the room not knowing what was going on. Touya stood on the other side his eyes full of worry and dread. His Imouto and Okaa-san were in danger and he could do nothing to help.
Everyone was too panicked to worry about kicking anyone out of the room. The attendants raced in and out of the room with blankets and more water.
"The baby's caught with the umbilical cord. It's suffocating." Yelen whispered to Sonomi.
"Can't we do something?" She said in a rushed tone.
"I don't know. Maybe we could try to unwrap it." She suggested and tried but her hand was too big to reach the baby's neck.
"Let me try." Sonomi said. It was no use and Nadeshiko's cries became louder. She was praying to the heavens to end the pain and save her baby.
Sighing Yelen looked over to Touya. Then to her son. A small child's hands would be small and could easily reach a baby's neck.
(Now I actually have heard of this. A little kid's hand is small enough to unwrap a baby's umbilical cord if there isn't a doctor to do it.)
"Touya, Xiao Lang come here." She called. Touya walked over quickly and she checked his hands. They were a lot smaller than hers but his finger nails were a little too long.
Xiao Lang was more hesitant. What was going on?
"Xiao Lang come here." She said sternly. He raced over to his mother and she looked at his tiny hands. She sighed. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to let a one year old do this.
"Touya go wash your hands." He did as he was told and Yelen told him what to do. His mother cried out as another contraction hit her and being very careful Touya tried to get the rope away from his sister's neck.
Xiao Lang hadn't moved. He was too afraid to even flinch. He could sense a faint aura. Something he'd felt only once before. The day he'd placed his hand on Nadeshiko's stomach. It was a little stronger and he could feel the baby's anxiety and need to breath.
Too young to understand anything he raced out of the room. He didn't want to see this. He didn't want to understand. He was still a baby and he wasn't meant to understand.
Why was he so upset though? Why did he care what happened to the baby? The baby wasn't anything to him but something at the back of his mind told him otherwise. A flash of an image passed through him and he started to breath heavily and then began to cry.
"Son what's wrong?" Yen asked. His son didn't usually cry and he looked very distressed.
He shook his head violently. He didn't know what was wrong. He didn't know why he was crying. He wasn't sad or angry. He just felt the need to cry.
"It's alright little wolf. Everything's fine. The baby will be fine." Yen assured presuming that's what had Xiao Lang so upset.
He stopped crying and looked up to his father. Somehow the words soothed him even though it wasn't the reason he was upset.
Yen was about to say something else when a loud cry was heard from the room. It was a mix of Nadeshiko's cries and a loud wail from a baby.
"See I told you." Yen said with a crooked smile and picked up his son and went into the room.
Touya was sitting on the side of the bed a little dazed from the whole experience of helping deliver his sibling. Fujitaka was comforting Nadeshiko as she cried in relief.
Yelen and Sonomi were cleaning the baby up as it wailed. It was a small baby. Its eyes were closed but Xiao Lang could see it had auburn hair that spiked up and it was a very red baby.
"Are you alright?" Yen asked looking at the family.
"Yes. Is my baby alright?" Nadeshiko asked panicked.
"She's fine" Sonomi said carrying the little bundle towards the bed.
"She? It's a girl?" Fujitaka asked a little awed.
"A beautiful little girl." Yelen said cleaning up. Sonomi passed the baby to Nadeshiko and she ceased her crying.
"Okaa-san? Is my Imouto alright?" Touya asked coming closer to his mother after washing his hands.
"She's fine. Come and see her Touya." She said. Touya came closer and took a look at the small bundle that was his sister.
She still had her eyes closed and her lips were making a small sucking movement. She was pretty cute. If you didn't notice that she was all wrinkly.
Xiao Lang was curious. Who was she? Why couldn't he see? He wanted to see the little person that caused such a fuss with everyone. He wanted to see and he wanted to see now.
"Impatient aren't we?" Yen said placing his son on the bed. He crawled up to Nadeshiko ignoring Touya's glaring and looked at the baby.
"Would you like to see?" Nadeshiko said unwrapping the baby just a little. Xiao Lang leaned forward and saw her little face. She looked so familiar to him all of a sudden. He didn't recognize her though. She was small and he couldn't resist the impulse to reach over and touch her little cheek.
The baby sighed happily and leaned into his hand. Her eyes fluttered a little bit as she got used to the light. He stared curiously at her and watched as she opened her eyes. She looked around for a moment until his eyes met hers.
Her eyes were green. Emerald green. Like the jewels his family had in the house. They were pretty and he saw how happy she was.
Her eyes didn't leave his for a long moment. They just stared at each other as if to understand who the other was.
She gurgled and reached her hand out and grabbed his fingers that were moving away form her cheek. She grabbed his finger and placed it in her mouth and started to suck on it.
He was alarmed. He tried to pull his finger away but she kept going. The other's laughed at the sweet scene they made. Except for Touya who was not happy at all. The little brat shouldn't even be in here. This was his little sister.
"I think she's hungry." Yelen said. Nadeshiko nodded and helped Xiao Lang get his fingers out of the baby's mouth.
"What will you name her?" Sonomi asked. She had a camera in her hands and was filming the very kawaii moment.
"It's the cherry blossom festival isn't it?" Nadeshiko said. "Sakura. Her name will be Sakura."
"Sakura. I like it." Touya said trying out his little sisters name.
"Saku…" Xiao Lang tried to say. He couldn't quite get it right so he kept saying 'Saku.'
"No little wolf. Sa-ku-ra." Yelen tried to help him say it.
"Saku." He said again. "Saku-chan."
"Let him say it. He seems happy with saying it that way." Fujitaka said happily. He finally had his daughter. "Beautiful cherry blossom."
The room went silent for a moment as little Sakura started to suckle on her mother's breast. The only sound in the room was her suckling and the light breathing everyone had.
No one noticed Sun watching this from the door and the dark look in his eyes.
'Finally. The time will be very soon.'
***
Ekk. Hehe. I don't know if you all like it. I know Eriol and Xiao Lang seem a little older than just a year but I've noticed that a lot of children seem older than they really are. I learned how to walk when I was a little older than one but I could talk by the time I was ten months old. Well baby talk anyway.
I'll get into more details about them growing up as I go but I was wondering. You all want pictures to my stories. I can't draw animation but I was thinking. If anyone out there can or knows someone that can draw animation I would love to talk to you because I will have some drawings for the stories. I'll probably make a web page about card captor sakura and put it all there.
So if you want some pictures for the stories let me know and I'll arrange something if I can find someone who can draw.
Well remember to review. Ja ne.
Kang