So, this is really chapter 12. I can't believe I've gotten to chapter 12. This has been a really fun story to write (Soul Hunter's on TV right now!), I've liked it very much so far. I really have nothing to say right now, before I start this new chapter, so I'm just going to say that these characters are just borrowed from someone way smarter and funnier than me, and go on with chapter 12. Hope you enjoy!
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Now Sakura knew she couldn't give up. That had been all it had taken to return all the lost hope and joy to her heart. She was confident now that she would get him back, she had to, to let him know that she loved him just as much as he did. Alas, she would show him. She would bring him home alive as a proof of it.
As much as he disliked the brat, it was obvious Sakura was madly in
love with him. It only took one look into her eyes at that moment to realize
he meant everything to her. He had unknowingly returned the smile to those
adorable lips, and if he could do that he deserved his approval. His approval
of the relationship that would probably blossom between them once she'd
rescued him. Because now he could feel the strength surround her. She was
really focused on this mission, she would rescue him at any cost. Love
is a wonderful thing, Kero thought a little sad. But hey. If he made her
happy he deserved her. If he ever made her cry, he would assume his original
form and tear him apart. He grinned to himself in satisfaction. He was
her guardian after all!!
Penguin Park was a very scary place at nighttime. even ghosts could be lurking around. For the first time in her life, Kinomoto Sakura would ignore everything and focus on the only important thought on her mind right then: find the monster and eliminate him. It had been about twenty four hours since Syaoran had disappeared, and time was running out. Her vision...
She sat on the floor by the swings, with Syaoran's magical tool in her hands. The pendant that now hung around her throat had kindly obeyed her command at a really significant time, but she couldn't expect the same thing from the rashinban. This was a tool she knew nothing about. She had only seen him use it to locate Clow Cards. She didn't know if it could pick up Syaoran's life energy, the one that he had tightly connected with hers...that bond had vanished from the moment he had been taken away. She hadn't noted any difference right after he'd put the spell on them, but now, with the spell broken, she felt empty, cold, incomplete...she had gotten so used to him. Kero knew nothing about the rashinban either. Only that it took a lot of magic skill to make it work.
Sakura closed her eyes, the only sound they could all hear was the dull buzz from Tomoyo's video camera. She focused hard on the board before her. I know you know I'm not your master. But I need your help. Please, give me something. Give me a clue. You are my last resource...
The board just didn't react. Half an hour later Sakura couldn't hold back the frustrated tears that slid down her cheeks. This was no good. How was she supposed to find a way to the monster if this thing wouldn't help her? She so desperately needed to save him...to get to him before anything horrible happened. Suddenly the board shot a strong beam of light towards the darkest part of the park. Thank you, she thought, tucking the board back into the pocket of her winter coat. She didn't wait a second to run in the direction the board had indicated her.
"Sakura, wait for me!" Kero said flying full speed after her.
*****
Sakura gasped in surprise and fear. None of them could believe their eyes. Before them was what couldn't be described as anything else but a black hole.
"Was this...is this where...where we're..." she stammered, feeling her skin crawl.
"Yes" Kero stated, amazed. All those years living with Clow Reed and he never even heard of such thing "That's where we're headed"
Sakura took a deep breath, and a step forward. Suddenly, she turned around to Tomoyo, and took both her hands in hers.
"I want you to stay here" she stated.
"You can't ask me that!" Tomoyo said, fear rising in her voice. Sakura smiled sweetly at her, not willing to give in on this one.
"This will be dangerous, Tomoyo" she started "I don't think a tape is worth risking your life"
"I don't want to go because of a stupid tape!" her voice was louder now, as terrified tears streamed down her pale cheeks "What if there was anything I could help you with?"
"This we're going up against, is a very dangerous person. What he could well do is use you to blackmail me into doing something for him. Remember I saw him with my cards. I don't want anything to happen to you, Tomoyo. I couldn't...I couldn't lose you too" she near whispered.
"Well, Sakura, I will go even if it's to act as a shield to stop a blow at you. I will go with you no matter what, because I...I couldn't stay safely here when I know you're putting your life on the line out there! I will go with you!!"
And she held her, crying. Sakura couldn't discuss with her anymore. She turned to Kero.
"It's time to go" he stated, almost solemnly.
"Kero..."
"I'm your guardian, Sakura. I don't want you to start another discussion" he said, arms crossed across his little chest.
"Thank you guys" she said, fear present in her voice as she stuffed Kero in her pocket, and turned to the portal before them "Let's go"
*****
Sakura regained consciousness in a snow covered field. The snow was coming down so hard she couldn't see anything before her. She turned around everywhere, desperately looking for her two friends. The last thing she remembered was entering the portal hand in hand with Tomoyo...the intense nausea that had followed, and then everything going black...
Tomoyo found her by chance, and clutched her hand hard as not to lose her again. The storm was increasing in intensity as the seconds went by, not allowing them to even talk to each other. The only contact they could have was their hands tightly clasped together. She felt her pocket and sighed in relief when she noticed the small bulge that was Kero. He was probably passed out. She needed to find a shelter, and quick, before they froze to death. A while after she managed to spot a cave nearby and literally dragged Tomoyo inside. It was freezing, and humid, but it was probably the only shelter from the storm in miles. That bastard wanted to wear them out before they could meet.
"What is this place, Sakura?"
"I know as much as you do" she answered to her friend in a near whisper, taking an unconscious Kero out of her pocket "I'm worried about Kero, though. He won't wake up"
"He'll be fine...probably just had a really bad...trip" Tomoyo said softly, for lack of a better term.
In that very moment Kero started to wake up.
"Kero!"
"Please, Sakura, use the Firey Card...I'm freezing!!"
Sakura nodded and did as he asked her, instant relief appearing on her friends' face. She sighed, feeling relieved that they were all together. Not all but...working on it, she thought sadly.
"Kero...any idea what this place is?"
"No, not at all" he said, rubbing his hands near the little fire Sakura had magically created.
"We can't investigate until this storm is over"
"I'm so sleepy" Tomoyo yawned.
Sakura was very tired too, but she could never sleep in a situation like this. Kero however decided to get some rest on her lap, and she helped him by absently stroking him. She grabbed Syaoran's pendant that hung around her throat. Just a little more, my love. I'll soon get to you. Even though she was sure they were really close, she still couldn't feel him. The spell had definitely been broken.
She decided to do another reading while she was there...it couldn't harm her. With Kero still on her lap, she whispered the words of the spell, and laid the nine cards. What the future withhold for her?
Change. So what she felt was really true...they were in a completely different world. She had thought so from the minute they had arrived there, but now she knew for sure. Great. Cloud, Dark. Apparently this weather wasn't going to improve. She sighed discouragedly...she didn't like the idea of putting Tomoyo through all of this crap. Illusion, dream...sword! Her beloved Syaoran was alive, but he was being kept unconscious. He had fallen into their deadly trap. A small grin tugged at the corner of her mouth. It was like her lost soul had returned to her body. She sighed, and turned the next two cards. Mirror and power. Mirror again? But what was Power doing here? If Mirror and power were together and Syaoran had been right, then this meant that she had a chance on beating him. For if he was her equal, she would be just as powerful. Her grin widened considerably as hope rose in her heart. But it suddenly turned into a disquiet frown. Flower. Big surprise there, she thought sarcastically. She was indeed next in line.
*****
The storm had receded when Kero and Tomoyo woke up. Sakura was silently watching over them, as if was her turn to protect them. She hadn't slept for a second...she didn't even know what time it was.
"Hello" she greeted them with a smile "The storm is over, I think" she pointed out.
"Then we should probably take advantage of that and move on" Kero said quickly.
"What if we don't find another shelter ahead?" Sakura said, thoughtfully "If this storm starts again we'll be as good as dead"
"We have to, Sakura"
"Believe me, I want to more than the two of you maybe, but I don't...I don't want to risk your lives. What kind of a friend am I if I..."
Tomoyo had crawled next to her and taken her hand in hers.
"You have to stop worrying about us. I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself, Sakura. All you need to worry is about getting Syaoran, beating that monster and go back some safe and sound. I know we will. Now let's get out there. The sooner we get to where we want to go, the sooner we get back home"
Sakura smiled at her and got up to go. Once outside, she pulled out Syaoran's rashinban one more time. She closed her eyes. Please, help me again. Just once more, we're just so close...to...
She didn't even finish the thought. The beam of light shot this time to the north, where the sky was at it's darkest. Sakura shivered, and silently thanked Kami the board had decided to help her, before stuffing it back into her pocket and turning around to look at her two awe struck friends.
"That's where we're headed you guys" she said "Let's go"
They walked for what seemed hours, completely unaware of the time. Tomoyo was the first one to stop.
"What's the matter? Are you okay?"
She couldn't speak because of the shock. Instead, she pointed her finger to a spot behind Sakura, making her turn around. Unbelievable! It was a huge castle, all black, right there in the middle of nowhere. No wonder it was getting colder...they were about to invade his domain!
Sakura felt like her legs would soon give up because of the excessive fatigue. But she refused to rest at this time, when they were so close to their goal. The more she walked, the more tired she got. She turned around to Kero and Tomoyo, who looked every bit as tired as she did. She couldn't do this anymore. Seemed like the monster had won this battle, and she was going to give up for now. Don't pass out, Sakura, she told herself again and again. Don't pass out!
But she couldn't do anything to fight this back. She turned around again, and saw Kero collapse on top of an already fainted Tomoyo. Don't pass out!
Bright spots flashed in front of her eyes. Oh, my God.
And she passed out.
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Well, guys, this wasn't a very long chapter, I know, but I'm feeling
tired tonight...I promise next one's going to be more interesting...if
I said everything I had in mind all at once I think this story would only
last like three chapters hehehehe. So I have to make chapters like this,
you know, somehow fill out the holes...I hope you guys have a great night,
and thanks everyone for the reviews...keep them coming please? Thank you!!