A School Excursion

A School Excursion

Chapter 9

( All characters duly belong to CLAMP ! )

Author's notes :

Exams are finally over ! I hope to wrap up this story soon so reviews are really really KINDLY appreciated … T_T

~****~

" Tomoyo-san, Sakura, are you both all right ? "

" Hai … we're fine as rain … I think … "

Sakura focused her sadden emerald eyes onto the uncontrollable Tomoyo who was still sobbing onto her chest. Syaoran looked worried but he was truly helpless here.

" Sakura, look after Tomoyo-san … I'll figure out what happened around here. "

" Sure, do be careful ok ? "

" Right … "

Syaoran placed his rashinben near the area where Eriol had vanished but the needle did not move a single inch. Syaoran sighed mentally. Although it mystified him greatly why Eriol disappeared, his mind did not seem to want to consider the idea that Eriol could already be …

[ NO ! That's not going to happen ]

Syaoran decided to use one of his spells to trace whatever aura was left of Eriol. He closed his eyes in deep concentration and opened his right palm to summon a light green transparent flame. It flickered a few inches away from the surface of his palm and Sakura marvelled at the sight. Tomoyo had considerably softened down but her hands were still clutching onto Sakura's uniform tightly. Sakura placed her arms securely around Tomoyo in a bid to comfort her. It hurt her just as much to see Tomoyo as sad as this.

**

Eriol opened his eyes almost deliberately slowly, as though he was afraid that he was going to be blinded by some light from around him. He moaned softly as he tried to pick himself up, realising that he was lying down. His right hand had been tightly gripping his gleaming staff and Eriol felt as though some 40 kg of lead were placed on top of him.

[ Where am I ? ]

Eriol used his staff to support him as he shakily stood up, his violet eyes taking in his surroundings. With a start, he realised that everywhere around him was not the Kyoto-styled neighbourhood where he last stood. Eriol looked up at the big neon-flashing signboards with Chinese wordings and his mind finally clicked.

[ Hong Kong !? ]

**

Tomoyo looked at Sakura with tear-glistening eyes as she pleaded with Sakura to let her join in their search for Eriol. Sakura was adamant that Tomoyo should catch some rest but it's obvious that Tomoyo wasn't in the least mood to do so.

" Syaoran, could she join us ? "

The tall lad turned around looking rather pensive. The green flame had showed a slight vision of Eriol in a place which Syaoran knew very well. However, it also showed that the surroundings were watery-like and yellowish, seemingly very much like an illusion. Syaoran knew what this meant with all his magical training.

" Sakura, Eriol has been warped into a time trap. "

" Time trap ? Like what happened to us ? "

" You probably could deduce that way … but in a more accurate term, a time trap is a much more malicious form. "

" Meaning ? "

" Both of their powers were so strong that it triggered off a very malicious state of dimension. In their case, it was a time trap because it is the safest way to battle in there without destroying anything in the reality world and where time is frozen always. Everything is moving as per normal but nothing ever ages. It's also one of the worst places to be stuck in or sealed into. I seriously think the lady could have purposefully triggered it off … and even maybe Eriol himself … "

" Why ?! "

" Imagine if they hadn't … the whole neighbourhood would have been wiped off already. Such great powers had met with full force head-on. It would probably even lure some other uninvited guests which I shan't go into details. "

Tomoyo had listened quietly as Syaoran explained the matter to Sakura. She did not care what would happen now, all she wanted was Eriol back and in one piece. So she begged Sakura to bring her along … in which Syaoran grudgingly agreed since Sakura used her best Please-Syaoran-Just-This-Time-Look and Tomoyo looking exasperatingly devastated.

**

Eriol walked down the busy streets of Hong Kong, basking momentarily in the familiarity of the surroundings. People were shouting in Cantonese in the wet markets, bargaining prices and selling their well-known seafood. Young children were playing marbles in the streets, not giving a care in this world. Eriol then realised with a shock that this wasn't the modern Hong Kong scenario. This seemed to have taken place FAR longer …

[ Clow Reed's time perhaps … ]

Eriol looked at his dressing and wasn't very surprised to see that he was no longer clad in his white school uniform. He was grandly attired in a dark navy blue Chinese buttoned top and long matching silk pants complete with soft comfortable Chinese-clothed shoes. His glasses were missing and his hair was tied up in a fashion similar to Clow Reed's.

[ So I am Clow Reed himself or … ? ]

In a far-off corner in a small building forgotten by the people, he saw a young attractive Chinese girl reading a customer's palm.

[ Palm fortune-reading ? How interesting ]

As he walked closer, the young lady stood up and smiled as she received a red packet ( angbao ) from the satisfied customer. Tucking it preciously into her silk sash tied around her waist, she was about to walk into the building when her eyes caught Eriol's.

[ She can SEE me ? ]

The young lady held her gaze for a few good minutes before she smiled and bowed respectfully. Eriol returned her gesture just as quickly before he could even anaylze what was happening.

" Clow Reed-sama, I see that you've returned to our humble little shop. "

Eriol took no less than a few seconds before understanding the situation. He smiled back, almost expertly hiding his initial ignorance and revealing absolutely nothing on his expression.

" Would you like to come in ? "

" I would love to. "

**

" Sakura, I need you to use your staff in a way which you might not have used it before. "

" I'll try my best Syaoran. "

" I know you will. "

Syaoran lovingly pecked Sakura's cheek before turning solemn. He summoned a protective shield in the shape of a sphere around the two girls before chanting a spell loudly and with a certain element of command in it. Tomoyo clutched Sakura's hand almost nervously but she was ready to face any danger. Sakura pressed reassuringly back and smiled encouragingly. She knew they would bring Eriol back regardless of what would happen. Suddenly, white jagged lines of thunder surrounded the sphere they were in and Sakura noticed that Syaoran had finished his chanting. He smiled at her before Sakura realised that they were slowly disappearing from his view. She could see Syaoran's lips mouthing the words - Kiotsukete, Sakura - ( Take care, Sakura ) and she smiled almost lovingly and nodded.

Syaoran watched as his spell took effect and warped both girls into the dimension where Eriol was in. He was going to have to summon a different spell to transfer himself now. He peered at his watch to take note of the present time, knowing that time is of no relevance to the place where he was going to. He would need to gauge cautiously, knowing that if they stayed there too long, they might not be able to make it back at all.

[ Kami-sama, please bless us all with your benevolent heart … ]