In the dark of the night, on a station cold and quiet, a girl of ten stood looking out at the infinite expanse around her. Her face streaked with tears of pain, and despair. Placing a delicate finger on the glass of the window, she leaned against it. Thoughts of the day returned to her, and she cried; striking the window with a closed fist. A few sparks erupted from it and a ball of blue light flew out from her hand, passing through the glass and traveling into space. Suddenly, the energy seemed to be drained from her, and she slumped down, crying weakly. The room began to spin around, and she stumbled to get up. There was a rustling in the adjoining room, and a boy of 18 years rushed in. He picked up the girl and carried her to a bed. Her eyes were glazed over slightly, and he immediately fetched a small bowl. Tenderly, the boy fed her a spoon of its content, watching as her eyes returned to normal.
" You all right?" She got up from the bed and walked a little, conscious of the light headed feeling she still had.
" Y-yeah..." She stuttered slightly. The boy smiled nervously.
" Are you going to tell me what happened now?"
The girl was silent.
" Please, Sakura, I need to know what happened. Did it have something to do with your magic?"
More silence.
" Sakura," the boy said sternly," You have to tell me what happened. There's nothing to be ashamed of."
The third time brought a bout of anxiety into the boy.
" Sakura, please," He pleaded," You have to. The doctors have all been asking what's wrong, and I can't answer them in any way without knowing what's wrong...please."
Sakura bit her lip. Fresh tears ran down her face. The boy put a reassuring arm around her.
" Who was it?" He asked softly.
" An...an old woman." The boy was surprised at this answer.
" What happened?" He repeated.
" I talked to her...and...I don't remember..."
" You have to...its important..."
" ...the old woman was talking to me...and she wanted me to give her my...power...and I said no...because I didn't want to...and she got mad..." Sakura was shaking,"...then...she wasn't an old lady anymore...she was a...a..."
" A what?" the boy did his best to keep himself from yelling.
" I DON'T REMEMBER!!! PLEASE Touya. I don't remember..." Her eyes pleaded with him to not ask further.
Touya bit his bottom lip in debate. He didn't want to hurt his sister, but she had to remember for the good of her health.
" You have to." The words seemed to just flow out.
"...she was a witch...and then I remember her grabbing my arm, and I felt this really weird feeling, and then she let go. She started laughing, and kept saying the same thing over and over again,' I've done it. The curse is laid, I've done it, the curse is laid...' I don't remember what happened after that."
" Curse..." Touya murmured. The word brought back memories from when he was small.
***Flashback***
" Touya," An old lady laying on a bed addressed the small boy next to her." Touya, watch over your sister for me. I can no longer fulfill the task your father set upon me."
" Okay." He made sure to pay good attention to what his aunt had to say. She wouldn't be with him much longer.
" Touya, I want you too," The woman paused," I want you to keep an eye out for a man. He means your sister great harm. Do not let him get her. If he does, she will suffer greatly. Watch out for him. If you don't, you will regret your mistake greatly. He has magic, and has the ability to change his face. Your father told me to turn to him when Sakura was ready, but I know better. The man was nothing more then a lying cheating thief, and Fujitaka knew it, he just wouldn't admit it. His name was S-..."
Suddenly, the woman's body went still. The heart monitor, which had been beeping a constant rhythm, ceased its pattern, and a longdrawn tone filled the room. The doctors rushed in.
" Goodbye, Aunt Kamiya." Touya whispered as he was ushered out.
***End Flashback***
" Oh, no." Touya muttered. ' It's happened. The man that Kamiya warned me about. He's done it. What to do?'
Sakura looked at her brother in worry. He looked a little bit dazed. Shaking his head, Touya looked at Sakura, and smiled reassuringly.
" Don't worry. I'll report the man. Anyway, there's nothing you should have to worry about. From what I can tell, the energy drain only comes about when you use your magic. Did you use it a second ago?"
" Well..."
" Sakura..."
" Yeah, I did."
" Don't use your magic unless you have to. It won't help you if you drain yourself to death."
" Alright, Touya."
" Now, get some rest, okay?"
" All right. Good night, Touya."
" Good night, Sakura."
*** Character Change***
On a planet, in a small town, a boy stands at the edge of a forest watching the sunset. But, this isn't a fairy tale. The planet is Earth, the town is Mirchest, and the boy is Li Syaoran. Kneeling down, the 10 year old quietly observes his target: a flock of grey geese, or in other words "supper". Checking his rifle, he cocks it, then takes careful aim. The geese move restlessly about, and Syaoran curses the wind. He couldn't get downwind of the stupid things because a patch of poison oak had grown where he would have had a perfect shot. Putting his gun down again, Syaoran looks over his supplies: a watch/compass, a box of bullets, and a canteen of water. His lunch had originally been in there as well, but that had been long since finished. He checked the clock: 5:58. Two minutes left. He had to make this shot, or they'd be having mushroom soup again. And that was something he wasn't willing to agree to.
He saw his opportunity when one of the geese stumbled and squawked in pain. ' So, its got an injured leg," Syaoran observed. That was all the more perfect. His rifle still cocked and ready, he took aim and...CRACK! BANG! Syaoran cursed as he looked around. Someone had scared his geese away. Looking back, his frowned turned to a grin. No matter, the goose he'd been after was down. Walking over, he picked it up by its neck and threw it over his shoulder. Getting back to his feet, he looked about for the person who'd scared his geese. He found him. It was a man of about 40, carrying a huge bulging sack, and a smoking pistol.
" Mr. Robert!" Li's anger was quickly forgotten at the sight of his old teacher," How's it going?"
" Well as can be 'spected, son. Looks like your aim is still as durn good as it used ta be, eh?"
Syaoran grinned at the compliment," Nah, its just mother needs supper, and mushroom soup isn't my favorite."
" Are you kidding?" Mr. Robert said almost sarcastically," Why your ma makes the bestest soup in these here parts."
" So, what brings you here, Mr. Robert?"
" Well, it just so happens that you're the reason, son."
" Me?"
" Yep. I got me a letter for you. It's from some big company out in the city, judging by the envelope."
Mr. Robert handed Syaoran the letter. He grinned.
" Thanks a lot, Mr. Robert. I got to go now. I'll tell mother you said 'hi'!"
" You do that, kid."
Syaoran ran, the goose body dangling behind him. He got home out of breath, and burst in. His mother was making a pot of mushroom gravy. He raced up to her and gave her the goose. Her face immediately lit up.
" Why, Syaoran, it's lovely! You'll make a fine hunter some day. Just like your father."
" That's not even the best part. Look! I got a letter!"
Syaoran's mom opened the letter carefully. She skimmed it, wiping one hand absently on her apron. Her mouth was open in a partial gasp. Syaoran looked at her anxiously.
" What does it say mom?" He was at the point of grabbing it and reading it himself.
" It says, ' Dear Mrs. Li: You are the lucky winner of our Grand Tour Sweepstakes, and have won you and your son, a home on the space station Crystalline Dream. Congratulations!"
" That's great, mom!"
" Hmmm, I don't remember entering any sweepstakes...Wait, its got a date here. May 1st. That's tomorrow!"
" What's it for?"
" It's the date that our plane leaves. And look! Two tickets! First class! And money! A check for..." Syaoran's mom had to sit down. " 1,000,000!!!"
" Well, what are you waiting for? Let's eat, then take the train out to the big city airport."
" Yes...that's what we'll do. I'll tell you what? Why don't we leave now, and purchase some fast food along the way? My treat."
" Wow, really?"
" Sure. Now, get your stuff ready."
" All right!"
Syaoran's face lit up with joy. Finally, an adventure! Running a hand through his dark brown hair, his amber eyes wide, Syaoran ran to his room to pack.
******
So, what did you guys think of the first chapter of the first of 3 series? Good? Bad? Stupid? I need opinions here people! I hope you like it, and keep a look out for the next chapter.
DragonLass
