Chapter Five-On Cue
Li again, was the first one to wake up. What time is it? He thought. Li looked over to the clock behind Sakura. 4:40…it's been that long?! Jeez…better wake her up.
"Sakura…hey, love,"he whispered into her ear. He kissed her and as she awoke, she returned it full force. What a way to wake up, she thought.
"I love when you wake me up like that,"she said.
"Hmm…well I love doing it…and you. I definitely love you."
"And I love you, Li." They kissed again, this time Sakura rolled on top of him.
"This is better than t.v…."
Sakura and Li separated, realizing that neither one of them spoke and then both turned to see not one, but two sets of camcorders recording their actions.
"Meilin…"Li groaned.
"MADISON!"Sakura squealed as she ran to her best friend and hugged her.
"Sakura!" Li called after her. "You're on the wrong side!" He stared at their reunion for a moment then collapsed onto his bed. "That's it…I give up."
"Oh, Li,"Meilin chimed, sitting next to him. "Don't gripe."
"Okay I was wrong before,"he admitted. "We got, oh…"he looked at the clock. "Five hours alone without being tormented…but honestly Meilin…what is so interesting about watching us?"
"Well, look for yourself,"Meilin offered, rewinding the video so Li could watch. He did and when it was over he was blushing and smiling a lot.
"Yeah, she is captivating."
"It took seven years to finally get you two together and now…it's beautiful, Li. I promise that tomorrow morning you will not wake up to a camcorder."
"I better not, or I seriously…wait a minute…how did you get that back?"
"Oh? This?!" Meilin said, lifting it. "Um…gotta run!" She took off to the living room downstairs to escape Li's wrath.
Li turned to the two girls who were talking a mile a minute.
"How did you get here so fast?"
"The Concorde. It only took four and a half hours,"Madison explained. She looked over to Li and smiled. "Hello, Li. I see you've made some progress within the last twenty-four hours. A girlfriend who happens to be the love of your life. How lucky!"
"Hello, Madison." Li stood and walked behind the 'love of his life' as Madison had put it and wrapped his arms around her. "I guess we finally came to our senses."
"It's about time!"Madison said, all smiles. She turned to look into Sakura's eyes. "Meilin told me about Jason. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just got cut up, but the wounds have healed and…"
"So, is there going to be a big fight?"Madison said casually, like it was no big deal or anything.
"Um, probably…Jason's dangerous and he needs to be stopped before he hurts anyone else,"Li explained.
"Well, we have to talk to Kero first…"
"Nope, taken care of!"Madison said, interrupting again. "Kero will be here within the hour. He's been updated on the current situation as well, thanks to Meilin."
"Wow…um…thanks,"Sakura said. Her and Li exchanged looks of relief and confusion at the same time. Sakura then realized what Madison was getting at. "Madison, did you make…"
"Costumes?"Madison said.
"Yeah, did you…"
"Of course! And thank God I had my portable sewing machine with me or else this would have been a complete disaster!" Madison ran out of the room to retrieve them supposedly.
Li and Sakura turned to each other in their embrace.
"This is a little…"
"Strange?"Li finished.
"Yeah. But, it's like the old days Li. I'm glad we get to do this one more time. I know this may sound silly but…I miss capturing cards together. The last time I saw Yue was eight months ago. I used to see him every week."
"It's not silly, Sakura. I miss it too," he stood there, holding her and thinking of what was going on. "Sakura, this isn't weird. I think it only seems that way because we're not used to this anymore."
"Yeah, you're right, Li. But there is one thing I don't miss,"Sakura said, getting closer.
"Oh? And what's that?"
"The fact that I never could do this,"she said leaning in. Right as their lips were about to touch…
"Sakura! Hey, Sakura! Oh!…sorry…am I interrupting something?"Madison asked upon returning.
"Well as a matter of fact…"
"No! Of course not, Madison,"Sakura finished, elbowing Li in the ribs.
"Good!"Madison squealed with delight as she opened a black garment bag and lifted up not one, but two costumes.
"Aren't these the cutest?!"Sakura admired her work. Madison had only gotten better within the last few years.
Sakura's outfit was a dress, a tight, light pink top without any sleeves that hugged the curves of her upper body. The lower half was composed of dozens of strips of long red, pink, and white cloths hanging from the upper half.
Li's costume was a tight green t-shirt for the top that became long in the back for some sort of cloak type of deal. His pants were just a solid green, a little lighter than the top.
"Very Medieval huh, Sakura?"Madison said, admiring her own work. "Not my best work but considering the time frame I had…pretty damn good, wouldn't you say?"
"Of course, Madison. They always were great,"Sakura smiled, trying to hold back tears of the memories. Changing the subject, "So, how was the flight Madison?"
"Horrible!"Madison said in disgust. "The only good part was the stupid pudding they served…"
"PUDDING?!"
"Stupid stuffed animal,"Li muttered as Kero came flying in.
"Shut up you Chinese gaki…I will have none of that spoken to the all powerful guardian beast of the seal!"
"Whatever, Kero…anyways, did you find anything about this Jason guy?"Li asked.
"Well,"Kero said, crossing his tiny arms. "His name is not Jason. It's Alexander Whitman and he's one of The Seven Rising."
"You mean there's more?!"Sakura shouted.
"Well there was, but they're all dead…except for Alexander…he's centuries old. He's very wise…well, most of the time."
"What do you mean?"Madison asked.
"Well you see, each one of The Seven Rising challenged Clow Reed way, way back. Alexander was in the middle, the fourth one to fight with Clow…but he chickened out."
"Why would he do that? And who are The Seven Rising?"Sakura asked.
"First of all, The Seven Rising is seven brothers born from an evil sorcerer and a good witch. They were all born with extreme magical powers but after the last brother, Alexander was born she died and they all converted to the evil ways of their father. Anyways, when Alexander's turn came to fight, all his previous brothers had fought and lost so he ran away. Abandoning his brothers who not only wanted to kill Clow Reed, but him now as well,"Kero explained. "So of course Clow beat them all and searched for Alexander to end the war but Alexander was no where to be found. It was like he had disappeared off of the earth."
"Why did The Seven Rising want to hurt Clow Reed? Wasn't he the most powerful magician?" Li asked.
"Yes he was…but the brothers not only wanted the title of being the best, but they wanted the cards as well. That's why Alexander is after Sakura. She is the new mistress after all. Alexander thinks that if he can get the cards and defeat Sakura, his brother's deaths will be avenged and will gain the trust back from his brothers in the netherworld."
"You mean…his dead brothers? G-g-ghosts?!"Sakura said, clutching onto Li. He held her back and softly kissed her on the forehead.
"What-what-WHAT?! What is this? Why is there kissing?!"Kero demanded.
"Kero…Li's sorta kinda…no, he IS my boyfriend now. We confessed our love to each other."
"Damnit, Sakura! Now you really owe me! I want that Playstation 2 or else Tori will 'accidentally' find out."
"Kero…"Madison started sweetly. "Sakura is really happy now…don't you want her to be happy? After all, she is your mistress and above all your friend. Right?"
"Of course she's my friend! I do love her…but if that idiot hurts her…"
"Kero,"Madison warned. "You know he wouldn't."
"Well, she owes me some pudding now…at the least,"Kero muttered. "Anyways, we have to track down Alexander and defeat him once and for all. If he gets the cards…there's no telling what will happen to this world."
"Again…explain yourself stuffed an….Keroberos,"Li asked, correcting himself. Better make nice to my girlfriend's guardian beast, Li thought.
"Well, anyone who regains the cards that is not appointed the new mistress or um…master I suppose…they will be released and you will go back to how it was before the cards came."
"Like the Final Judgment, Kero?" Sakura asked.
"Exactly like the Final Judgment. All the cards will be set free and you will be brought back to when you were in the fourth grade. That is why it is so important that you win. Sakura…you would lose everything. Madison would be just another face and Li…the only reason he came here was to capture the cards so…he might never come to Japan. And if he did, he might become the ruler of the cards instead of you. Anything is possible." Kero said, saddened. "Your past as you know it would be rewritten."
Sakura sat down on Li's bed, taking it all in. "Then I can't lose. There's no other option, I have to beat Alexander." Li sat down next to her and they hugged like there would be no tomorrow. Who knows, there might not be, Li thought. Well, at least the tomorrow that I expected…I don't want to wake up tomorrow and this to all change. Everything is going great in my life; I'm not going to let it change.
"I'll help you, Sakura…the best I can," Li whispered to her. "Come what may…we're doing this together." He smoothed the hair away from her face as they looked at each other.
I guess Madison was right, Kero thought. They belong together. And she's…she's happy with the Chinese…I mean….Li. She's happy with Li. I don't know how she's going to win but she has to. There is no other choice. But the thing is…Alexander has been roaming the planet for centuries now, fighting and getting stronger. What if he's too strong? Sakura's been out of practice for a while…what if she's not ready yet?
Meilin came running through the door just then, pointing out the window. "Look! Outside! Something strange is going on! I don't even know where to begin to describe it!" Madison ran up to the window first and took out her camcorder, watching in awe. Li and Sakura were right behind her, holding each other while Meilin just stood at the door. "What is it, Kero?"
"I don't…I don't know,"he said, flying up to the window.
"Some sort of storm, maybe,"Meilin suggested. She slowly approached the rest of the group, standing next to Sakura.
"No,"Madison said, shaking her head. "We never get storms like this. Never."
The five of them watched the black and gray clouds swirl together like an eye of a hurricane, only in slow motion. There was a hole in the middle that appeared to be blue, like the sun was fighting back to stay from being swallowed by the clouds. But it slowly disappeared, and the blackness ensued.
"It's Alexander,"Sakura said. She didn't know how she knew it…just did. "He's calling me. This is it. It all ends today." Although it didn't feel like it had begun, she knew that what Alexander wanted was something that no one should tolerate. He was an evil man that thought nothing of the wants of others. Men like that, shouldn't exist. People like that, should understand they're misdemeanors and become better human beings. Alexander did not fall in this category. He would never understand or admit any wrongdoings.
Madison stopped recording and turned around to look at Sakura who had her eyes closed. She couldn't help but walk over to her friend and kiss her on the cheek before she grabbed Meilin and Kero and left Li's room.
As the door shut softly, Sakura opened her eyes and turned to Li, "You think we can do this?"She asked, unsure of her own answer to the question. All Sakura knew, was that Li would say the right thing, he would never lie to her.
He looked into her emerald eyes, and then traced her facial features with his left hand. "Honestly…I don't know." Her eyes started to well up with tears as she thought of her future or past, whatever the outcome of the battle was. But before Sakura could shed a single tear, Li spoke, "But what I do know, Sakura…is that I love you. No matter what happens tonight, or tomorrow or hell…even what may happen if we go to yesterday, I will love you. All we can do is try our best. No one can ask any more from us. I won't ask any more from you."
She nodded her head and released him slowly from her grasp, "You're right, Li." Sakura gathered up her dress in her arms and walked towards the bathroom that was adjoining his room. When he heard the door click shut, Li undressed and put on his battle gear.
Well, at least Madison got the color right, Li thought. It was a little uncomfortable on his chest since it was so tight, but he ignored it and finished buckling his green boots and looked at himself in the mirror. Not bad, he thought. As he admired Madison's handiwork, he turned at the sound of the bathroom door opening.
"Oh, Sakura,"he said, approaching her. "You look beautiful." He noticed that she was wearing a pair of combat boots that were a dark crimson red that reached right below her knee.
She smiled at his comment and then turned around and lifted up her hair so that he could zip her up. He was stuck in a trance though, staring at her beautiful back. Li slowly reached his hands to her skin, caressing her back and her sides.
"Li…"she started, but as soon as he heard his name, he snapped back to reality and zipped her up.
"I'm sorry…I shouldn't have,"he apologized.
Sakura turned around, her long hair swirling towards her face. "No…I liked it." She approached him slowly, putting her hands on his chest, rubbing the length of his upper body. "You didn't have to stop, Li."
The truth was, he didn't want to. He wanted so much for her. He wanted her to forget the way that Alexander had touched her and then make her enjoy the way he wanted to.
She stepped a little closer and wrapped her arms around him, lifted up his shirt and caressed his lower back. He watched her face intently, enjoying the moment completely. Her hands moved to the front of him, stroking the lower part of his abdomen. She could feel his hard stomach from the years of training.
Li brought his hands up to her shoulders and then slowly slid them down to her hips as he picked her up and hoisted her onto him. Sakura completed the action by wrapping her legs around him.
"Oh, Sakura,"he moaned as she kissed his neck and ears, then put her hands to his face and kissed his lips. Uncertain of where else to put his hands, Li placed them on her lower back and couldn't control himself as he slid them down to hold her better from underneath.
She smiled through the kisses as she tightened her hold on him so that they could feel each other's bodies as close as they possible could to each other. And as their kisses became more passionate, his body ached to do more but he knew this wasn't the right time and slowly made the kisses become less frequent until they stopped and looked at each other. "Sakura, this isn't the right time. We're both not ready for this." It was kind of lying, because he would have taken her right there and made her memories of Alexander become empty spots in her mind, but he didn't want to right now.
Sakura nodded her head as she gently kissed him one more time. "Yeah, I know,"she said. Did she sound disappointed? He thought to himself but shook them away. "Not now…don't get me wrong, I love you very much and…I know we've only been together for a day or so…but that's not true. It feels like we've been together ever since you moved back here from Hong Kong. But,"she said, her voice was very slow and soft. "We should be thinking of something else right now. We're not the only two people on the face of this planet, Li."
He smiled and kissed her before talking. "Now that's the girl I know and love. But you must know Sakura Avalon, you haven't seen the last of this,"he said playfully. "I want to show you a part of me that no one else has seen and no one else will. You already have my heart and my mind…but I will give you my body. One day, I will make sweet love to you, I swear it."
She grinned happily as she jumped down from him, "Oh, I don't doubt that, Li Showran. Don't think you can get rid of me that easily,"she smiled as they held hands for another moment, savoring the time they just had together. Her smile faded but she still kept that look of determination in her eyes as she let go of his hands and stepped away from him. Reaching into her dress, she held out the key. "Key of the Star, with powers burning bright, reveal the staff, and shine your light. Release!" A bright light overcame the room as the key transformed into her staff, the harnessing tool of her very own star.
Li grabbed his sword and strapped it on his back and then together they emerged from the room, making their way down to the living room where Kero was now Keroberos and oddly enough, Yue was there as well.
"Yue?!"Sakura yelled in happiness as she made her way towards him and leapt into his arms. "Oh, Yue! I've missed you!"
The guardian just stood there, holding her back. He had been treating her more like a sister than the mistress of the Sakura Cards as of late. He loved her very much and liked to show her how much she meant to him. Yue finally realized why Tori was always so protective of her.
"How did YOU get here so fast?" Li asked approaching him, a small smile on his face.
Yue released Sakura and crossed his arms, "I am the guardian of this young lady…nothing would stop me from coming to her aid." He moved towards the door with Sakura and Li in tow. "I could feel Alexander's presence through Sakura and I knew she was in danger."
"Well, now that we're all here, we need to leave," Keroberos walked over to Sakura who was now standing outside along with Yue and Li. "Come…it's time."
Sakura nodded as she took out a card and held it up in front of her, "Fly card! Release and dispel!" She pressed the tip of her staff against the card and started to hover as the wings sprouted from her back. Li couldn't help but make the analogy of her looking like an angel, well…minus the halo…and adding a pair of red combat boots to the mix.
Glancing over to Yue, he shook his head in protest, "THEY shouldn't be coming," he declared, motioning to Meilin and Madison. Sakura thought about whether Yue was right, but then smiled when she knew the answer.
"No, Yue. They have been here since the beginning, and that's the way it will continue…or end."He didn't say anything at his mistress's statement, just looked away to where the moon should be, but it wasn't. The clouds were covering it.
Keroberos knelt down and Sakura motioned to Madison and Meilin to get on. As soon as they did, she looked over to Li. "Your turn,"she said as she pulled out The Windy, a gentle card that would carry him.
"No,"he said, putting his hand up in protest. "Save your energy, Sakura. I don't need your help…well, as of yet." He took out something that she knew all too well. "Element! Wind!" Green streams of wind enveloped him and he started to float a few feet off of the ground.
She smiled, of course he can take care of himself, she thought. I need to save my energy and not to worry about him. He is a young man now. The words echoed in her mind as her wings lifted so they were outstretched far over her head, "Let's go!" she yelled confidently as her wings lowered to the ground and she jumped off, flying towards the sky. Li followed directly next to her with Keroberos and Yue directly behind.
He had noticed the transition that was all too familiar. Sakura was the girl he fell in love with but The Mistress of the Sakura Cards was someone he respected a great deal. She was powerful and had a strength of the heart beyond her years that he knew would only continue to grow. Sakura transformed from an average girl to this form of energy and above all, she was inspired and moved by the people she loved.