A School Excursion
Chapter 8
( All characters duly belong to CLAMP ! )
Author's notes :
Hopefully this is much better … revision really sucks … 0_o
" Sakura ! The forces are getting stronger … we need to hurry ! "
" I know Syaoran ! But … but … why is it that I keep feeling so cold ? "
" Cold ? "
Syaoran shot Sakura a concerned glance despite the both of them already running flat-out. Sakura's emerald green eyes were full of worry and anxiety and Syaoran knew something was troubling her greatly.
[ She's not going to be in the best shape to battle if this goes on ]
As Syaoran was starting to wonder whether he should proceed without her, a mental voice cracked in his head, momentarily putting him in confusion.
* Li, remain where you are now. Take Sakura-chan and leave. *
Syaoran didn't take long to figure out that the voice was Eriol's. He immediately stopped in his tracks and Sakura stopped in wonder.
[ Eriol ! What the hell are you doing ? We're coming to you now ]
* NO ! It's between me and her. Leave. *
[ Her ? Who's her ? Eriol ! I demand answers ! Eriol ?! ]
Syaoran knew that Eriol had already cut off the telepathic path between their minds.
[ He must be engaged in the battle already ]
" Syaoran ! Did Eriol try to contact you spiritually ? "
" Hai. He … he asked us to leave him alone. "
" Why ? "
" He said the battle is between him and a lady. "
" A lady ? "
" Um. No details. "
" I'm worried … Syaoran … what are we going to do now ? "
" Nowhere I guess. We have to stay around and see how the situation changes. After all, Eriol should be able to handle such a trivial matter … "
Sakura could see that Syaoran was actually lying. It was trivial … this was different. She was feeling goosepimples all over her body and she didn't like the situation one bit especially since Eriol took all the trouble to seal Tomoyo up and masking their scents.
" Syaoran, you might disagree with me … but I am going to help Eriol-kun. "
Sakura had a determined look in her eyes as she clutched her staff tightly. Syaoran couldn't help but admire her guts. Her eyes portrayed intense willpower and her shoulder-length hair blew lightly in the wind. Syaoran's facial expression turned mellow and he walked up towards the tall slender Card Mistress and embraced her lightly.
" All right Sakura, we'll go and help him. "
Sakura turned slightly red at the warm pressure Syaoran's body was giving to her. She loved Syaoran's affectionate side. It was always so reassuring and secure.
" Arigato Syaoran, you're always there for me. "
" With all my pleasure … "
Syaoran lightly kissed Sakura's forehead before freeing her from his hug. Taking her free hand, he quickly picked up speed and ran towards the forebidding area where sharp magical forces were at loggerheads.
**
" Take this ! "
The lady threw some fireballs which Eriol jumped to avoid. He was actually not fighting but only counter-attacking or shielding himself. This only drove the lady to near madness.
" Fight me Clow Reed ! Am I not worthy of being your opponent ? "
" My past incarnation refuses to leave you to destroy yourself. If not for him, I would not even give you a single glimpse. I am trying to help you. With our magic, we could actually save you from all those harm you had inflicted on yourself by practising those Dark Arts. "
" Stop your preaches Clow Reed. You know better than I do why I ended up like this anyway ! "
More fireballs were thrown even more viciously in his direction and Eriol waved his staff to activate his Shield again. He narrowed his eyes … this would take forever … and those two were drawing nearer …
**
" Sakura, get ready. We're getting closer I think. "
" Um ! "
Sakura gripped her staff tighter. She could feel the intense magical auras in the air. They were so much more stronger than all her experience in the magical field.
[ Guess it's time for me to experience such stuffs some time in my life … Clow Cards … please let me borrow your magic ]
Syaoran peered anxiously at his Rashinben and thoughts were rummaging through his mind. He wondered whether their appearance would hinder Eriol. He definitely told them to leave and he must have had a reason for saying so.
" Sakura, we're going to just peep at the battle and only help when there is a need. I think I want to analyse the situation a little before rushing into the scene. All right with you ? "
" Hai, wakarimashita ! "
**
Tomoyo laid in the marked spot where Eriol had left her some time ago. Sakura and Syaoran had just left her as well and she was feeling pretty left-out. After all, she should be out there to video-tape the entire situation.
" Well, I'm sure it really wouldn't hurt if I just tag along … "
Tomoyo gingerly stepped out the triangle and it disappeared like mist in the afternoon sun.
**
" Shimatta ! "
Eriol cursed aloud as he knew his triangular seal had melted. This had only meant that Tomoyo had walked out against his orders. His enemy noticing his slight distraction shot him a great blue fireball which Eriol was a little too late in counter-attacking. He wielded his staff just in time to stop most of the effects from the impact but it was still slightly too late.
Blood started to seep slowly from his left arm and his uniform was stained slightly darker. The dark liquid was also running down his golden gleaming staff as he gritted his teeth to stop the pain from coursing through his body. If he was distracted one more time, things could get worse.
" Eriol-kun ! "
Sakura ran up towards the injured magical wielder but Syaoran stopped her and shook his head.
" No Sakura-chan, wait for a while more. "
" But … "
" Trust Eriol. "
**
" How's that Clow Reed ? Tasting my power huh ? Does it feel good ? "
" You really enjoy doing this huh. "
" You put me in this mess … you deserve it. "
" I guess so. But I am not Clow Reed … "
" You tick me off by repeating that ! "
" ERIOL ! "
The new voice made the everyone turned around in shock. Tomoyo was looking very shocked with tears streaming down her eyes. It was clear that she was very pained by the blood which had soaked his uniform and stained the dark concrete. Not caring one bit for her own safety, she ran quickly towards Eriol, who had started to look pretty tired and fatigue was starting to wear him out.
" No … Tomoyo … don't come over … "
Eriol waved his staff again and an invisible barrier was erected between them. There was pain in Eriol's eyes as he looked away from Tomoyo.
" Eriol ! Stop it ! You're hurt ! "
" I want to end this. I want to end this with my OWN power, not with Clow Reed's. "
This caused Sakura, Syaoran and Tomoyo herself some surprise. It had never been known to them that Eriol wanted to be known as himself. Maybe they had been insensitive to his feelings all this while …
" I can't take this anymore ! Syaoran … "
" I … I'm quite confused Sakura … "
The lady who had been attacking Eriol was quiet all this while. Soon, she spoke … causing everyone to look at her.
" So Clow Reed, this is your … love ? "
" Don't you dare try anything funny to her. Your opponent is ME. "
" It's funny how quickly you forget your past loved ones. "
There was a surprised look from Eriol as he tried to stand up more properly. From what the lady was saying … could it be … ?
Tomoyo remained silent, knowing full well what the lady was implying. Sakura and Syaoran were standing on the far end speechless.
" Clow Reed … you heartless man ! "
Blue fireballs were lunging for Tomoyo before all of them knew it.
" Tomoyo-chan ! "
Sakura wielded her staff and her Shield was immediately activated around Tomoyo just in time. Tomoyo smiled gratefully to Sakura. Sakura sighed with relief comically. Syaoran decided that it was time to end the whole matter. He opened his right palm and an orange talisman magically appeared. Chanting some spells in cantonese, he threw the talisman … not at the enemy but right at Eriol.
" Syaoran ! "
" No, I'm not trying to kill that fella … I'm trying to heal him. It's the best I can do since he's so adamant that this is his battle. "
" Oh … "
Sakura blushed sheepishly as Syaoran sighed to himself.
**
Eriol found the warmth from the talisman very comforting. It immediately healed the open wound as soon as it touched his body and he found that all the blood and mess were all disappearing.
" Arigato Li. "
Eriol decided that he had to do something drastic. He could no longer do anything to persuade the lady. A new look of burning determination set in his violet eyes, he wielded the gleaming staff and closed his eyes for a second.
" Ready to accept death ? "
Eriol opened his eyes again and regarded the lady in a very regal manner, which caused the lady to suck in her breath.
[ Yes, he must be Clow Reed. That look in his eyes … it's unmistakable … ]
" For once, I can only wish I was only an Elementary School kid again. Then you wouldn't keep mistaking me for Clow Reed. "
[ What is HE talking about ? Why is he always denying that ? ]
" I do not know what relationship you used to have with Clow Reed. I do not care anymore either. You tried to attack MY Tomoyo and I cannot forgive that. "
Black winds started rising around Eriol as his eyes gleamed menacingly. It reminded the other 3 of the Eriol who had first wrecked havoc when he arrived during Elementary School.
" I'm sorry to do this to you … "
Great winds of powerful ancient magic which even Sakura and Syaoran could not understand started to gather around Eriol's staff.
" Good grief, Eriol's for real. "
" What do you mean Syaoran ? "
" He's going to … exterminate her … "
Sakura's eyes opened wide at the impending thought and she quickly turned her back, not wanting to witness what would happen next. Syaoran could only look on with anxiety. Tomoyo could only look on helplessly, since she was afraid of Eriol too when he was … pissed off …
The lady was also powering up to a great level of black magic and had already dived straight for Eriol. There was a great blinding light when both forces met head-on. Syaoran hugged Sakura and protected her from the little debris which was showering them. As the winds died down, they turned around again …
" YIKES ! "
There was a great hole where Eriol used to stand and Tomoyo was still standing there unharmed because of the Shield.
" Tomoyo-chan ! "
Sakura and Syaoran both ran up to the sobbing girl as she dived straight for Sakura and started weeping openly. Sakura gently hugged her and patted her back comfortingly. Syaoran looked around in wonder.
[ No auras of the both of them … this can't be … ]
