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Wild Dreaming
by animefreak
Sakura looked around her. It was a dark and cold place, unlike any other she'd seen before. A very luxurious room. The tiles on the floor were black, and so were the walls. The only lighting came from the crystal dome ceiling, as the moon shone through. She then looked at herself. She was wearing some sort of white silk dress, more like robes, and she was barefoot. A vision, she thought. She dared take a few steps forward, afraid of what she might find there. As she walked forward, she noticed the black crystal pedestal in front of her, with an equally impressive throne on top of it. She suddenly shivered. There was actually someone sitting up there.
A young, dark haired man sat on the throne, legs elegantly crossed, a glass of some sort of liquor in his gloved hand. He sported the sweetest of smiles on his handsome face, and his head resting on his other hand.
"You came for your little wolf"
"What?"
He snapped his fingers and an elegantly dressed servant appeared with a covered silver tray. It was so shiny it nearly blinded her. He beckoned her with his fingers and she soon found herself climbing up the stairs that led to the throne, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. Her cards! On a diminutive tray by the throne were her cards, the ones she had fought so hard all these years to catch. He handed the covered tray to her with an evil grin. Her eyes went wide as she lifted the lid and found...
Sakura woke up screaming at the top of her lungs. Kero came to her, but had to quickly hide under the covers when Touya rushed in and kneeled beside a nearly hysterical Sakura.
"What happened? What's going on? Are you okay? Sakura, I'm here!" he asked her, trying in every possible way to calm her down "Where does it hurt? What happened? Sakura, answer me!"
It took her a long while to calm down. Kero was still under the blankets, stroking her leg for it was the only comfort he could provide while Touya was still in the room.
"What happened, Sakura?" Touya patiently asked her once again.
"It was just...just a nightmare, brother. I'm sorry I woke you up like this"
"I don't think so. I'm going to call dad at the dig and tell him to come back"
"No! It's not necessary, I'll just go back to sleep...trust me, Touya. I'm fine"
He gave her a reprobatory look and scratched her head. Then he got up and left. With that, Kero was finally able to come out and sit on his Mistress' lap.
"Was it a vision, Sakura?"
"I--I don't know. I've had visions before, you know, and I'm familiar with what they feel like, but Kero, this one dream...it felt like someone was sending those images directly into my brain..." she sobbed quietly as to not attract her brother's attention again.
"What was it about?"
"I was--I was in this awfully dark room...it looked like a throne room of a palace or something like that, like those you see in movies...the roof was clear and it was nighttime..." she started squeezing her hands at that "then I discovered the throne, and someone sitting on it, a...a man...a man with dark hair, I can't really remember anything else about him...he was holding a brandy glass, or a wine glass, or...just a glass" she gestured in exasperation "then he asked me if I'd come for my little wolf...I assumed he meant...Syaoran..." at this point she started sobbing again "he called me and I went, and he handed me this...silver tray...with a lid on it, and I saw my cards on a tray by his side...then I lifted the lid and there was...there was..."
Sakura burst into tears, not wanting to say the words. She didn't need to. Kero already knew what it was. He was trying to torment her, drive her crazy, make her unable to fight back. He was a respectable enemy, but he was sure Sakura would find a way to pull through. She had to. Or that horrible vision she'd just had would come painfully true.
"There's something I don't get, Sakura. What was he doing with your cards?"
"I don't know. Maybe they will be stolen. What the hell do I know!"
*****
Syaoran was woken up by loud banging on his door. Who could it be at this time of night? He straightened up his messy hair and yelled a sleepy I'm coming to his late night visitor. He couldn't believe his eyes.
"Sakura?"
He hadn't seen her since their date on sunday; four days had passed. He hadn't wanted to bother her, so he wouldn't call her or stop by. If she was on school break, she might as well enjoy some rest. Even from him. Despite everything they had been through and how good friends they had become, it was painfully clear to him that he in a certain way only reminded her of her parallel lifestyle. Her life as a Card Captor. They wouldn't have met under normal circumstances, like a regular boy and a girl get to know each other. Hadn't it been because of the Clow Cards, he would have never known there was such beauty and goodness in the world. He would have remained trapped in the golden cage the Li estate was back in Hong Kong, would have married the woman someone else would choose for him, and would have been content with the life he was supposed to lead from the day he was born: the powerful leader of the Li Clan, the one who would perpetuate the honor and pride of the family. Lead the Clan down the good path. Have a heir, and make him live the same gray, boring existence he had been raised for himself. No, Sakura had changed all of that. She had absolutely twisted his well drawn path and turned into an exciting adventure, a much more colorful path, at the end of which he desperately hoped to find the most precious of treasures: her heart. Her smiling face. Hearing from her adorable lips those three words he so longed to hear.
Now in front of him stood a defeated, terrified Sakura, her indescribable eyes downcast, her lovely face stained with the traces of a nightmare. He pulled her inside by the hand, his heart sinking at the realization her hand was cold, limp, like all the energy had been drained from her. He led her to his bedroom and sat her on the bed. He wouldn't ask her. She would tell him whenever she was ready for it.
"Syaoran..." she finally said, her stare desperately clinging to his, obviously looking for some hope. Silently begging, say it isn't so.
"I saw your head on a silver platter" she blurted out.
"What?" he asked. He was taken aback by that statement. Was she out of her mind? Had that monster finally succeeded in driving her crazy?
"I'm not crazy" she said, as if she could hear his thoughts "I just had this dream...and that's what I saw. I don't know if it will happen or if it's just been sent to torment me...but I saw it"
Syaoran felt his skin crawl. She wasn't kidding. Her voice was like a robot's, low, even, emotionless. He held her tight, as if that embrace could rid her mind of the horrible image she'd just described to him. What could he do to make everything all right? He instinctively kissed her head, not being able to refrain himself from keeping his nose buried in her golden locks.
"That won't happen" he whispered reassuringly.
"He had my cards"
"Your cards? How could that be?"
"I don't know" she answered, sniffing "I have to do something...I can't let this happen to you"
With that she finally threw her arms around him, tears streaming freely down her cheeks. He was still in shock from what he'd heard about her vision, but he had to smile, as he started stroking her hair.
"Don't worry about me. Nothing will happen. I will always be here with you. I promise"
*****
"What? In a silver platter? What the hell is that all about?" asked a shocked Tomoyo, who had managed to get Sakura out of her house, after having been there locked up for three days. Three days since her vision, three days since she'd spent the one peaceful night she'd had in weeks, at Syaoran's apartment. She felt so much safer when he was around.
"Please, Tomoyo, keep your voice down!" Sakura pleaded, smiling apologetically to all those people she'd bothered with her yell.
"Um, yeah, sorry" she whispered through the hand Sakura had clamped against her mouth in surprise "That must have been awful! And so you went to his apartment. What happened there?"
"I told him, and then I slept. I hadn't slept this well in so long...sometimes I think that monster will manage to drive me crazy"
"No he won't, Sakura. He has Syaoran, Kero, and myself to go over before he can touch you"
Sakura smiled at her and squeezed her gloved hand. Tomoyo had been her best friend for years, and probably would always be. They had shared so much, she was so happy that she had ever met her. She was the only friend she had that knew about her secret lifestyle, and not only did she accept it, but would also help her in everything she might need. And she would do exactly the same thing for her. More than friends, they were almost like sisters.
"Thank you, Tomoyo...although I wouldn't let any of you get hurt because of me"
"Oh, stop that. Your ice cream is melting"
She sighed when she realized the mess she had made. With patience worthy of a saint she started scooping all the melting ice cream from the glass. Tomoyo then kicked her gently under the table, and nodded indicating a spot behind her. Sakura frowned, and Tomoyo rolled her eyes, grinning. She could be the worst sometimes.
"Hey" came a voice she knew too well from behind her, making her stiffen visibly.
"Hey, Li!" Tomoyo replied way too cheerfully "Pull up a chair!"
And so he did. He sat by Sakura's side, who treated him to her sweetest smile, even though she was still startled. Oh, was that the most beautiful face in the universe! In any situation, even when tired, when sad, when angry. Shame he had to bother her with the news he brought. Sakura frowned as he gave her this I've got to talk to you look that she dreaded so much, because she always knew something really ugly was going on.
"How have you been? You know, since you had that--that..." his gestures were a lot more eloquent than any word. Both girls nodded.
"I'm fine, no more bad...dreams" she grinned at him "I presume you came in here to..."
It was amazing how they had gotten to know each other. The language of the eyes, if you will.
"Someone broke into my apartment this morning, while I was out"
"Oh? What did they take?"
"Nothing. That's what was really suspicious. Then I found out my place had been marked. As in...magically marked. The mark was unknown to me"
"What does that mean?"
"Well, I'm thinking...it's a warning. Because magic can't be used inside those marks. They're like...like magic seals, if you will"
"A warning...for me" Sakura said, lowering her head "Syaoran?"
"Yes?"
"You can't stay in that apartment any longer. It's too dangerous"
"I know, but...what am I supposed to do?"
"Well, Touya and his father are going away for the holidays this year" Tomoyo observed.
"What about you, Sakura?"
"I convinced them to let me stay. I can't leave you guys alone with this thing lurking around the corner. So I'll stay home"
"I'll be staying with her, and so could you. We would all be together whatever problem it may rise..."
"It's true, you know" Sakura pointed out, concern all over her voice "Tell you what. I'll just wait for you tonight"
Syaoran arrived in Sakura's home around midnight. He wasn't really thrilled by the idea of having to sleep in Touya's room, but he couldn't do anything about it. Sakura was being kind enough to let him stay over with her. And he could also protect the Card Captor. It wasn't really his duty, but he took it deadly serious. Not only because she was the woman he loved, but because he knew how important she was to the entire world.
So he laid in bed, unable to sleep. He was really tired, but for some reason sleep just refused to come. That happened to him sometimes, especially when he was worried about something, so he didn't pay any attention to it. He wondered if Sakura was asleep. He couldn't believe he was so close to her, and couldn't touch her, even watch her sleep. He smiled, and honestly hoped she would have a good night sleep, for weariness didn't suit her angel like face at all. He was thinking of her when he heard a soft knocking on the door. He sat up on the bed, almost instinctively knowing her late night visitor was her. Indeed, her auburn haired head popped through the door.
"Syaoran?"
"You can come in"
She came in with feather light footsteps, and gracefully sat down on the bed beside him. She was absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful. Soon he found himself fighting to refrain his instincts again. Sometimes he felt like just taking her in his arms and kissing her at the very least, and right then, it was being very hard not to. She slipped her hand into his, and lowered her eyes.
"Remember...Syaoran...that I said I had something I wanted to say to you?"
"I remember" he admitted, thanking Kami or any other deity for the darkness that was concealing his blush.
"What it was...was that...I--" she stammered, making Syaoran grin through his apparently never fading blush. She was so adorable when she was embarrassed. Sakura suddenly reached out to him and did the unthinkable. Oh, the shock.
His eyes flew open at the feel of her arms encircling what she could of his bare torso. It was the first time that she'd done anything like this. Ever. Her hands felt cold against his back, but he would never mind. He thought with a grin of how many times he'd dreamt of having her like this. Holding like this felt so good. Such peace, such comfort...he sighed into her hair, noticing much to his dismay that she was beginning to let go. He reluctantly loosened his grip on her, frowning in slight shock when she lifted her whole body, still in his arms, to reach his eye level. Why was she doing this? He had to concentrate hard on refraining from kissing her. It would be so easy. He swallowed hard, feeling as if she was physically pulling him closer to her. He couldn't hold it any longer. So he tried to let go of her...unsuccessfully. She had tightened her grip on him, and this time he did nothing to conceal the shock. She closed her eyes.
"I love you" she whispered, only loud enough for him to hear it.
Syaoran's eyes went wide in disbelief. Did she really mean what she just said? If he hadn't felt everything in vivid detail, her warmth, her flowery scent, her emerald green eyes shining from the moonlight that came in through the window, he would have thought this was a wonderful dream.
That was when she raised herself to her knees again, taking a deep determined breath. She was going to do it. She had just said those three words, those words that had sounded like a thousand choirs of angels, and now she was going to do this. Syaoran watched her close her eyes and bite her lip in the most disturbing fashion. This was a side of Sakura he didn't know. An expression he hadn't seen. In that fraction of a fraction of a second, he felt she was telling him the truth. He instinctively closed his eyes. She was really going to do this! Was it the heat of the moment? Probably. Did it matter? Not at all. He thought he would pass out when he felt her lips brush his. Oh, how am I supposed to resist her? he thought, a second before his mind went blank. He gently rid one hand of the tight embrace he was now sharing with the adorable sorceress for a second, to pinch himself. It hurt. This was the real deal.
That was probably why he didn't notice the thick smoke encircling them
as they kissed. Before he could notice it, he was on his back and she was
straddling his hips, just like...just like in that dream. He opened his
eyes and they went wide at what he saw. This wasn't his beautiful, gentle
Sakura. This was a hungry beast ready to suck all of his energy out. He
tried with all of his might to rid himself of her grip, only thinking that
he couldn't leave his Sakura alone now but the curtain of smoke closed
around them, suffocating him until he passed out. Sakura...forgive me.
That was the last thing he thought of before everything went pitch black.
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