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   Chapter Eight - Por Una Cabeza

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   Shall we dance to the music?

   Shall we dance among the stars?

   Or should we just sit...

       ...and reminscence...

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    I found myself standing in front of a huge buffet table, wearing an evening dress. I examined myself further to find that my sword, the hidden katana, was gone.

          Looking around, I saw that I wasn't in Yumiko's home at all..

       ...I was in a huge domed ballroom...almost completly made of glass...

    Had Yumiko opened a Cosmos door? Was I stuck in another of Syaoran's dreams?

    One of the servants came with a tray and offered me a cup of wine. I picked it up and held it between my fingers, thanking him.

    'Madame, be sure to ready your mask for the party' the servant said to me, and handed me a small black bag. 'Do not open it until the master appears.'

    I thanked him again, and he walked away, serving the other guests within the glass ballroom.

    I started to see that most of the people in the ballroom were completly dressed up for whatever ocassion we were celebrating. Their hair made all nice...I'm not too used to being dressed up.

   Looking into a mirror, I could see I was. My hair let down as usual, but two thin curly strands running down the sides of my face. Very very untypical of me...

   Then, from the corner of my eye, I could see Yumiko walking around the room, confused. She wore a dress much like mine, with butterfly patterns with silk lining, and she walked with a black bag in her hand as well. It took her some time to notice me, and when she did, she walked over to me, her dress shoes tapping the marble floor gently, a confused look on her face.

   ...I thought that Yumiko was part of another dream...why would she still be here...

   'Kyoko, where are we?' she asked me. It took me a while to answer...I had no idea.

   'Its hard to explain Yumiko...' I replied, as she suddenly seemed interested. I took a drink from my glass, hoping it might make me feel a lot better.

   Then, I could hear the sounds of bells outside of the ballroom, as everyone in the room reached into their black bags. Reaching into mine, I could see that mine was empty. It appeared it was the same with Yumiko as well. Looking at the others, each person pulled out the same mask..

      ...a wolf's head...

                    ...more distinctly...Naroays' head...

    Then, everyone watched, as a man with a mask on as well, walked down the grand stairs, walking as if he were a conquering menace...arm in the air, as if to say that he controlled us...

                      ...much like fate...

   ...and as he finally took his step on the marble dance floor, the others began to dance...dozens of dancing wolves...as if taunting me...for my own foolish endeavor.

   The 'master' looked about the room, and took it that suddenly he just had to look at me and walk ... walk towards me too...

   'Angel...what are you doing here?' the 'master' asked me. I could tell that voice from anything...it was Naroays...

   'Kyoko, who is this man?' Yumiko asked me, as Naroays looked at Yumiko, as if he had known her before and hadn't seen her in ages. Yumiko seemed to take notice, and backed away slightly.

   'Akuras?' he asked her, as she shook her head. I guess he was trying to...see if she were merely a part of this dream as well.

   'Naroays...where are we...?' I asked him, as the music continued in the background. I could hear the people's laughter...behind their masks.

   'Sakura, welcome to the Dome of Souls. In this chamber lies the souls of those the Cosmos has consumed.' Naroays answered.

   'The Cosmos has consumed...?' I asked, as he nodded.

   'These men, women, and children have all fallen under the power of the Cosmos...and if you don't succeed, I'm afraid Syaoran will only have time for the dance floor.' Naroays explained to me.

   'Kyoko...who is this man...and wat is he talking about...?' Yumiko asked me in a confused tone. She also had a look of fear...and at the same time, her face gave me the impression that she had seen Naroays before.

  'Girl, what is your name?' Naroays asked Yumiko, as she cleared her throat.

  'My name is Yumiko Kinomoto.' she answered, as Naroays gave a big sigh. Was there something he was hiding from me?

  Naroays then looked at her neck, where her necklace sparkled with the brilliant light the chandeliers gave off from the glass ceiling. He examined her pendant, one that was whiteish...much like a pearl. It was set in a very ornate golden piece...one that was so intricatly modelled...you could only see the time put into it.

                       ...but how could a peasant girl have such a jewel?

  'You have a very special jewel there, Yumiko....I see that you are no ordinary girl...' he told her, as she looked up at him.

  Soon after, I opened my mouth. 'Naroays, she came from another dream....could this necklace be what's...'

  'Angel' he inturrupted. 'You have no idea at all.'

  He looked back at the dance floor, the people dancing with their masks still. Then, amongst them all, I could see a faint shadow of Li appearing...dancing slowly...as if he were all alone...

  'Angel, you have not much time left.' Naroays said behind me. 'I'd recommend you explain everything to Yumiko, for she could be of much help to you'

  ...and he disappeared.

  'Wait! Why would I be so important! Come back!' Yumiko yelled, as she passed through nothing more than air. She went down to her knees, and didn't look back at me.

  'Kyoko...I don't doubt you have much to say to me right now...' she said to me in a weak tone.

  I pulled out a chair near her, and sat in it. Clearing my throat, I started out my explanation as well as I could...

  'Well, to start.....my name isn't Kyoko'

    ~to be continued