Hidden Within
Li and Sakura had done what the entity had told them and followed the sun towards the East. Li glanced over at Sakura and noticed that she looked tired. They had packed last night and started off at daybreak. It was now dusk and Li could tell, time had taken it's toll on Sakura.
Li noticed the road they were on had taken them out of the city and they were now in the more country part of Japan. Li was worn out himself. They would have to find a place to rest and soon. It was not safe to travel in the dark, especially with Shaulin on the loose. Li looked around and found a small clearing by a stream.
"Sakura we should start to make camp. " He said. He pointed to the clearing. "Let's go over there."
Sakura nodded but didn't say anything. Now Li was sure she was tired. They slowly walked over and made camp. Eating what little snacks that he and Sakura had packed, they ate and made ready for bed. Li looked across the campfire at Sakura. She seemed to be looking into the fire, but not. Like she was seeing something that wasn't there.
Li had noticed that since the entity had first made it's appearence through Sakura, she really hadn't been herself. Li was worried. "Sakura? Are you Okay?" She didn't respond. "Sakura?" He asked again.
She looked up startled. "Huh? What?"
"Are you okay? You haven't been yourself lately." He said.
Sakura sighed at looked back into the fire. "It's her. The entity." Sakura looked up at Li. "I can feel her inside me. She keeps telling me how we have to hurry and how if I need her I can use her and she will help us. But...."
"But what?"
"Sakura looked down at the floor. "It takes a lot of energy and I don't know what it might do to me. I'm already tired from her just communicating through me. If we had to fight and I had to use her......Li I just don't know if I could take that much energy."
Li could understand where she was coming from. When Shaulin had possessed him, he was scared to. But it was his love for Sakura that gave him the strength to overcome that fear. That's what Sakura needed right now. "Come here." He smiled and motioned for her.
She looked confusingly at him, but crawled over. He wrapped her up in his arms and gave her a warm hug. "I don't want you to worry okay? No matter what happens, I'll be there with you."
Sakura broke the hug and smiled at him. "Thank you."
Sakura felt much better, knowing that Li was there with her. She felt so alone, but not. She was so confused because of the entity's feelings were going through her, she didn't know who's thoughts were who's. She was so mixed up, but at least she could count on one thing in her life right now that was crystal clear. And that was her love to Li. He would be her guiding light. She leaned on him and they went to sleep.
The next morning, Li woke up and looked around him. He found Sakura sleeping next to him. The fire had gone out a long time ago and all that was left was a pile of ashes. Li got up and made sure he didn't wake up Sakura. They had a long day of walking and they needed to get an early start.
Li decided he would make breakfast and pack up camp while Sakura slept. If what she said last night was true, then she would need all the rest she could get.
Li smiled as he looked down on her sleeping form. She was so fragile and vulnerable in her sleep. That made him want to protect her even more. Li started to clean up and make breakfast. According to his schedule, they would hit the Forbidden Forest by nightfall.
Sakura woke up to the smell of something cooking. She opened her eyes and saw Li had already packed up everything. She sat up and stretched. Li looked up and smiled. "How's my sleeping angel?"
She smiled and walked over to where he was. "I'm feeling much better. Thank you."
He nodded and handed her a plate of food. She ate and looked up at him. "So do we keep going East?"
Li nodded again. "It said we had to go for two cycles. I'm guessing that means two days. We should get to the forest by nightfall." Li didn't meantion the name of the forest 'cause he knew it would frighten Sakura.
She finished he meal and picked up her back pack. "Well, let's get going." She started walking.
Li smiled and started to follow her. Li was glad she was back to normal. He didn't like it when Sakura was sad or upset.
Shaulin watched all this with amusement. "Those little brats don't know what there in for. There's a reason it's called the Forbidden Forest." He said.
Shaulin was still seaching for the dark power he felt and he knew he was getting closer. He just had to make sure those brats didn't get to the temple first.
"I'll just have to make some kind of....distraction to slow them up." Shaulin said as he stood up.
"Powers of darkness
I call upon you now
Attack the Card Mistress
And descendant of the Clow!!"
Sakura and Li walked and had actually made it to the forest a couple of hours before dusk. Sakura had felt much better after a good night's rest. Now she would have enough energy to get through the rest of the night.
And you'll need all that energy. For danger is up a head.
Sakura stopped as the voice in her head spoke. 'Who are you?'
Li looked behind and saw Sakura had stopped walking. "Sakura? Is something wrong?"
Sakura looked up and smiled. "No nothing is wrong." She started walking again.
I am the entity inside you
Sakura thought for a moment. Then she remembered. 'You helped Li and me back in the cave a year ago. That was you wasn't it'
Yes. I helped you and another entity helped your friend
'If you're inside of me. Then is the other entity inside Li?'
No that's what we're after.
'You mean at the temple?'
Yes. After we helped you in the cave, we left for a time. Shaulin lived and hunted us down. The other entity was captured and brought to the temple.
'That's why you came to me. So we could get the other entity out and have Li help get Shaulin out of business for good!'
Yes, exactly.
'Do you guys have a name at all?'
You can call me Harmony.
'And your friend?'
He is Izeah
"Sakura?" Li asked.
Sakura looked up. "Huh?"
"I said do you think we should camp out here tonight?" He repeated.
Sakura looked around. She hadn't noticed how far into the forest they were now. There was very little light and it was a bit chilly. "This is fine. I guess."
Li nodded and took his backpack off his shoulder. Sakura followed and took off hers. Li began to set up while Sakura made dinner. When she was done, she and Li huddled close to keep warm and ate.
Sakura was just eating the last peice when a chill over came her. She shivered.
"Are you cold?" Li asked. Sakura shook her head. It wasn't because it was cold. She felt something out there. Something evil. She got up.
"There's something out there." She said.
It's Shaulin's forces. They found us
Li got up and reached for his sword. He closed his eyes and stretched out with his senses. She was right. It was small, but it was there alright. She must be getting stronger with the entity's powers joined with her own.
Sakura looked around and felt it getting closer. She turned her head and saw it right before it pounced. It came at her with lightning speed.
Sakura felt herself be hit to the floor and pain erupted from her upper forearms. She looked to see a wolf standing over her. It wasn't a normal wolf. No that wouldv'e been to easy. Shaulin had to send a transparent wolf. To be more specific.....
"A GHOST!!!!! Li help!!!!" Sakura yelled.
Li was there instantly. He threw one of his cards and it erupted on the creatures forhead. Flames burned on it's head and it jumped off of Sakura. She quickly crawled away and leaned against a nearby tree.
Li attacked the creature with his sword. He slashed, but the sword went right through. The wolf dissapeared, but Li knew it was there. He just couldn't see it.
Sakura reached for her key and made it turn into her wand. "Light card!! Release and dispell!!"
Light filled the area and Li could see the creature was making another run at Sakura. He ran at it. It turned and slashed with it's paw. Li was thrown back and hit a tree. He tried to get up, but pain erupted in his chest.
Sakura saw the creature and was frozen with fear.
'Why a ghost'
I can help you
'But I don't have enough power now'
Yes you do. You just have to concentrate.
Sakura looked over and saw Li trying to get up but he was hurt. Sakura was in her own.
'Okay, what do I do?'
Give me control
'Not all of it. Just give the power to defeat this.'
Very well, repeat after me
Li watched in horror as the beast made ready to jump on Sakura. Then he saw Sakura get up and start to glow. She held her staff in front of her in a defensive position.
"NO! Sakura, don't attack it! It's too strong!" He yelled as he closed his eyes against the light.
But she paid no heed. Instead she began to cast a spell.
"Power within me
Come to my aid
Destroy this creature
I must be obeyed!"
The creature punced but, light from Sakura's staff came forth and hit the creature in the chest. It screamed it's death cry and disappeared.
Li opened his eyes and saw the monster had disappeared. He looked over at the tree and saw Sakura still standing up. She looked over at him and gave a weak smile.
When Sakura saw Li had gotten hurt on his chest when the creature had swatted him aside. She walked over and knelt beside him. He looked at her with wonder. "What happened to you?"
She frowned and looked at herself. The cuts on her arms had healed.
'How'd that happen?'
I healed you
'Can you do the same to Li?'
No, but you can. Try
Sakura closed her eyes and focused on her powers.
Li saw she started to glow, but this time kept his eyes open. She reached down and held her hands above Li's chest. The glow transferred from her hands to Li. The glow covered the area. When the glowing subsided, Li looked down to see his chest had completly healed. "How did you do that?"
"Harmony told me how." She replied.
"Who?"
"The entity. Her name is Harmony. It's the same one from the cave. The one you had was Izeah. He's trapped at the temple. That's why we..."
Li caught Sakura as she feinted. All that energy use took it's toll. If Sakura had only part of her taken over. What would happen to her when this Harmony took complete control? Sakura would be powerful, but it would ultimatly be her downfall. And what did she mean by the one at the temple? Was this Izeah supposed to do to Li what Harmony has done to Sakura? He didn't know. He had to get some sleep. He pulled over a blanket and wrapped it around him and Sakura. He had a feeling, they were going to be left alone by Shaulin. At least for the rest of the night.
Shaulin would have punched a hole in the wall if he had his body. But unfortunally he didn't. How did the mistress do that!!! It was infuriating.
Then Shaulin paused from his temper tantrum. That light was the source. That little brat has bonded with one of the entities. The other Shaulin had stashed away at the temple.
'I didn't think the little twirps would make it this far.' Shaulin thought. But it was only a minor set back. They still had a ways to go and Shaulin was closer than ever to his power. Soon he would have his old body back and he would take care of these two nusances himself.
Li and Sakura had done what the entity had told them and followed the sun towards the East. Li glanced over at Sakura and noticed that she looked tired. They had packed last night and started off at daybreak. It was now dusk and Li could tell, time had taken it's toll on Sakura.
Li noticed the road they were on had taken them out of the city and they were now in the more country part of Japan. Li was worn out himself. They would have to find a place to rest and soon. It was not safe to travel in the dark, especially with Shaulin on the loose. Li looked around and found a small clearing by a stream.
"Sakura we should start to make camp. " He said. He pointed to the clearing. "Let's go over there."
Sakura nodded but didn't say anything. Now Li was sure she was tired. They slowly walked over and made camp. Eating what little snacks that he and Sakura had packed, they ate and made ready for bed. Li looked across the campfire at Sakura. She seemed to be looking into the fire, but not. Like she was seeing something that wasn't there.
Li had noticed that since the entity had first made it's appearence through Sakura, she really hadn't been herself. Li was worried. "Sakura? Are you Okay?" She didn't respond. "Sakura?" He asked again.
She looked up startled. "Huh? What?"
"Are you okay? You haven't been yourself lately." He said.
Sakura sighed at looked back into the fire. "It's her. The entity." Sakura looked up at Li. "I can feel her inside me. She keeps telling me how we have to hurry and how if I need her I can use her and she will help us. But...."
"But what?"
"Sakura looked down at the floor. "It takes a lot of energy and I don't know what it might do to me. I'm already tired from her just communicating through me. If we had to fight and I had to use her......Li I just don't know if I could take that much energy."
Li could understand where she was coming from. When Shaulin had possessed him, he was scared to. But it was his love for Sakura that gave him the strength to overcome that fear. That's what Sakura needed right now. "Come here." He smiled and motioned for her.
She looked confusingly at him, but crawled over. He wrapped her up in his arms and gave her a warm hug. "I don't want you to worry okay? No matter what happens, I'll be there with you."
Sakura broke the hug and smiled at him. "Thank you."
Sakura felt much better, knowing that Li was there with her. She felt so alone, but not. She was so confused because of the entity's feelings were going through her, she didn't know who's thoughts were who's. She was so mixed up, but at least she could count on one thing in her life right now that was crystal clear. And that was her love to Li. He would be her guiding light. She leaned on him and they went to sleep.
The next morning, Li woke up and looked around him. He found Sakura sleeping next to him. The fire had gone out a long time ago and all that was left was a pile of ashes. Li got up and made sure he didn't wake up Sakura. They had a long day of walking and they needed to get an early start.
Li decided he would make breakfast and pack up camp while Sakura slept. If what she said last night was true, then she would need all the rest she could get.
Li smiled as he looked down on her sleeping form. She was so fragile and vulnerable in her sleep. That made him want to protect her even more. Li started to clean up and make breakfast. According to his schedule, they would hit the Forbidden Forest by nightfall.
Sakura woke up to the smell of something cooking. She opened her eyes and saw Li had already packed up everything. She sat up and stretched. Li looked up and smiled. "How's my sleeping angel?"
She smiled and walked over to where he was. "I'm feeling much better. Thank you."
He nodded and handed her a plate of food. She ate and looked up at him. "So do we keep going East?"
Li nodded again. "It said we had to go for two cycles. I'm guessing that means two days. We should get to the forest by nightfall." Li didn't meantion the name of the forest 'cause he knew it would frighten Sakura.
She finished he meal and picked up her back pack. "Well, let's get going." She started walking.
Li smiled and started to follow her. Li was glad she was back to normal. He didn't like it when Sakura was sad or upset.
Shaulin watched all this with amusement. "Those little brats don't know what there in for. There's a reason it's called the Forbidden Forest." He said.
Shaulin was still seaching for the dark power he felt and he knew he was getting closer. He just had to make sure those brats didn't get to the temple first.
"I'll just have to make some kind of....distraction to slow them up." Shaulin said as he stood up.
"Powers of darkness
I call upon you now
Attack the Card Mistress
And descendant of the Clow!!"
Sakura and Li walked and had actually made it to the forest a couple of hours before dusk. Sakura had felt much better after a good night's rest. Now she would have enough energy to get through the rest of the night.
And you'll need all that energy. For danger is up a head.
Sakura stopped as the voice in her head spoke. 'Who are you?'
Li looked behind and saw Sakura had stopped walking. "Sakura? Is something wrong?"
Sakura looked up and smiled. "No nothing is wrong." She started walking again.
I am the entity inside you
Sakura thought for a moment. Then she remembered. 'You helped Li and me back in the cave a year ago. That was you wasn't it'
Yes. I helped you and another entity helped your friend
'If you're inside of me. Then is the other entity inside Li?'
No that's what we're after.
'You mean at the temple?'
Yes. After we helped you in the cave, we left for a time. Shaulin lived and hunted us down. The other entity was captured and brought to the temple.
'That's why you came to me. So we could get the other entity out and have Li help get Shaulin out of business for good!'
Yes, exactly.
'Do you guys have a name at all?'
You can call me Harmony.
'And your friend?'
He is Izeah
"Sakura?" Li asked.
Sakura looked up. "Huh?"
"I said do you think we should camp out here tonight?" He repeated.
Sakura looked around. She hadn't noticed how far into the forest they were now. There was very little light and it was a bit chilly. "This is fine. I guess."
Li nodded and took his backpack off his shoulder. Sakura followed and took off hers. Li began to set up while Sakura made dinner. When she was done, she and Li huddled close to keep warm and ate.
Sakura was just eating the last peice when a chill over came her. She shivered.
"Are you cold?" Li asked. Sakura shook her head. It wasn't because it was cold. She felt something out there. Something evil. She got up.
"There's something out there." She said.
It's Shaulin's forces. They found us
Li got up and reached for his sword. He closed his eyes and stretched out with his senses. She was right. It was small, but it was there alright. She must be getting stronger with the entity's powers joined with her own.
Sakura looked around and felt it getting closer. She turned her head and saw it right before it pounced. It came at her with lightning speed.
Sakura felt herself be hit to the floor and pain erupted from her upper forearms. She looked to see a wolf standing over her. It wasn't a normal wolf. No that wouldv'e been to easy. Shaulin had to send a transparent wolf. To be more specific.....
"A GHOST!!!!! Li help!!!!" Sakura yelled.
Li was there instantly. He threw one of his cards and it erupted on the creatures forhead. Flames burned on it's head and it jumped off of Sakura. She quickly crawled away and leaned against a nearby tree.
Li attacked the creature with his sword. He slashed, but the sword went right through. The wolf dissapeared, but Li knew it was there. He just couldn't see it.
Sakura reached for her key and made it turn into her wand. "Light card!! Release and dispell!!"
Light filled the area and Li could see the creature was making another run at Sakura. He ran at it. It turned and slashed with it's paw. Li was thrown back and hit a tree. He tried to get up, but pain erupted in his chest.
Sakura saw the creature and was frozen with fear.
'Why a ghost'
I can help you
'But I don't have enough power now'
Yes you do. You just have to concentrate.
Sakura looked over and saw Li trying to get up but he was hurt. Sakura was in her own.
'Okay, what do I do?'
Give me control
'Not all of it. Just give the power to defeat this.'
Very well, repeat after me
Li watched in horror as the beast made ready to jump on Sakura. Then he saw Sakura get up and start to glow. She held her staff in front of her in a defensive position.
"NO! Sakura, don't attack it! It's too strong!" He yelled as he closed his eyes against the light.
But she paid no heed. Instead she began to cast a spell.
"Power within me
Come to my aid
Destroy this creature
I must be obeyed!"
The creature punced but, light from Sakura's staff came forth and hit the creature in the chest. It screamed it's death cry and disappeared.
Li opened his eyes and saw the monster had disappeared. He looked over at the tree and saw Sakura still standing up. She looked over at him and gave a weak smile.
When Sakura saw Li had gotten hurt on his chest when the creature had swatted him aside. She walked over and knelt beside him. He looked at her with wonder. "What happened to you?"
She frowned and looked at herself. The cuts on her arms had healed.
'How'd that happen?'
I healed you
'Can you do the same to Li?'
No, but you can. Try
Sakura closed her eyes and focused on her powers.
Li saw she started to glow, but this time kept his eyes open. She reached down and held her hands above Li's chest. The glow transferred from her hands to Li. The glow covered the area. When the glowing subsided, Li looked down to see his chest had completly healed. "How did you do that?"
"Harmony told me how." She replied.
"Who?"
"The entity. Her name is Harmony. It's the same one from the cave. The one you had was Izeah. He's trapped at the temple. That's why we..."
Li caught Sakura as she feinted. All that energy use took it's toll. If Sakura had only part of her taken over. What would happen to her when this Harmony took complete control? Sakura would be powerful, but it would ultimatly be her downfall. And what did she mean by the one at the temple? Was this Izeah supposed to do to Li what Harmony has done to Sakura? He didn't know. He had to get some sleep. He pulled over a blanket and wrapped it around him and Sakura. He had a feeling, they were going to be left alone by Shaulin. At least for the rest of the night.
Shaulin would have punched a hole in the wall if he had his body. But unfortunally he didn't. How did the mistress do that!!! It was infuriating.
Then Shaulin paused from his temper tantrum. That light was the source. That little brat has bonded with one of the entities. The other Shaulin had stashed away at the temple.
'I didn't think the little twirps would make it this far.' Shaulin thought. But it was only a minor set back. They still had a ways to go and Shaulin was closer than ever to his power. Soon he would have his old body back and he would take care of these two nusances himself.