Together Again (2)



Syaoran and Sakura walked home, hand in hand like two people in love, which they were. But they both knew that their love went down further than words. It was a feeling that was eternal, and with two people as special as Sakura and Syaoran, they knew to appreciate that.

They finally reached Sakura's house, and Syaoran was so shocked by the difference from 4 years ago, he had to do a double take. The beautiful neat garden was no more, the lawn was brown and severely needed a trimming, and there seemed to be a constant gloomy cloud set above the house. 'Sakura is right. Everything sure feels awful.' Syaoran thought sadly. 'Well, Sakura doesn't have to be lonely anymore.' He silently leaned over to Sakura and kissed her on the cheek. It was only a quick peck, but still, it happened. Sakura was certainly surprised. This wasn't the right time for a kiss. Yes, the timing was all-wrong, but, despite everything else, it felt right and magical. Neither of them bothered to mention out loud that that was their first kiss, because they both noted that in their new set of memories, with each other.

They walked up the dull gray walkway and entered the dark gloomy house. Now this is what Syaoran wanted to see. Everything in here certainly looked the same, soothingly familiar, except for the lighting. Sakura quickly fixed that though. She hurriedly walked through the rooms, turning on every light fixture, lamp, and lit every candle. Then she walked toward the kitchen and gestured for Syaoran to follow. As Sakura made tea, she happily glanced at Syaoran every second. This was like a wonderful dream she noted again, and especially one she didn't want to end.

"Where is that dumb stuffed ani- I mean Kero?" said Syaoran, noticing his mistake a little too late.

"He is with Eriol. Said his old master needed him more than the most powerful sorceress does. He said that even though he was meant to protect me, I have learned to do so on my own, and that showed signs of a true and great scorceress. But he promised to visit." Said Sakura with an air of phony gladness.

"And Tomoyo?"

"You didn't get the letter?" Syaoran shook his head. "Oh, she moved to America. Yeah, she's an actress. I thought she would most likely become a director, but there she is, living a dream." Sakura slowly put down the teapot and glanced up. Her eyes were glassy and the corner of her mouth was twitching. Syaoran rubbed Sakura's arm in a comforting way. He searched around for something cheerful, and thought about the Sakura Cards.

" Do you still have your cards? It would be nice to see them again. Boy, those were great adventures, huh?" They both grinned at each other, and Sakura dropped the teapot back on the stove. She hurried up to her room, and opened a side drawer in her dresser, Syaoran following. There, in her hands, was the book that started it all. If it weren't for Sakuras' mistake in opening the book, she and Syaoran would have never met. They knew that and were very happy about it.

Sakura looked at these cards every night. She knew them by heart, and felt they were inside her rather in her hands, but opening the book now, sharing them with someone she loved, it was different. Her hands trembled as she reached for the latch, Syaoran looking anxious. But before Sakura's fingers touched the cold metal that was the seal, a cold wind blew. They both looked at the window, but it was closed. With a mysterious glance, Sakura and Syaoran hurried over to it. The window was flung open with such force, it shattered, but neither of them was paying any attention to that. Their eyes met with another's. Something so evil, it was painful just looking at it. Cold burning eyes loomed in and out of the shadow of the tree. One was an icily blue, one that could turn your insides to ice, and the other was a flaming red, one to melt the ice away, your body with it.

The glaring gaze was only broken when the searing eyes were narrowed, and Sakura was hit with a pain, a force so strong in her right shoulder she buckled and lay there sobbing. Syaoran was flung downwards also, hand smacked over his forehead. Both lay there, not noticing the eyes glow unusually bright for a moment and then disappear.

One look at her, and he knew he had found the card mistress. The magic she possessed, though dim now, made her glow. It made her noticeable in a crowded room. 'And' he gleefully thought, as he drifted away from the shattered window and dank house, ' Easier for her enemies to find.'