*~* Chapter Fifteen *~*

Author's Note: Okay, this is short, but only because I wanted to make sure my readers were still out there! I have a good reason for not updating- I was moving! I didn't have a lot of time to write and my phone service was just connected AND I just (as in around five thirty pm on Saturday) got another internet service provider. Please R+R.

*~*

Disclaimer: I don't own CCS.

*~*

*~* Chapter Fifteen *~*

The Savior

"You're not going to go through with this, are you?" shrieked Mei-lin once Alan was gone. She eyed the stone Syaoran held in his hands. "It could be a trap." And if it isn't, then Syaoran will save Sakura and my plan would have failed! Again!

Tomoyo shook her head thoughtfully. "I think we should trust him."

"Why?" asked Syaoran, turning to look at Tomoyo.

"Yes, why?! You weren't in Hong-Kong, Tomoyo, when Alan was up to no good. You don't know what he's like!" put in Mei-lin. She shifted her gaze from Tomoyo, to Syaoran, then back to Tomoyo. The two were staring at each other.

"Alan seems so familiar . . ." whispered Tomoyo, frowning slightly. "I can't put my finger on it."

Eriol raised an eyebrow, eyeing his descendant and the girl he secretly loved. What is going on in their heads? He didn't see how Alan was familiar. He'd never seen him before in his life.

"I know what you mean," Syaoran muttered as he lowered his gaze to the transportation stone.

Tomoyo began to pace.

"What did he mean when he said, 'She'll tell you. She's guessed it.'" wondered Eriol.

"Maybe he's gone crazy," said Mei-lin desperately. Please, please, PLEASE, Syaoran cannot go rescue Kinomoto!

"It was the way he said Sakura's name," Tomoyo said.

"WHAT? Maybe YOU'RE the one who's crazy," muttered Mei-lin.

Eriol sent her a warning glance. "What do you mean?"

"The way he said 'Sakura'. His voice got softer, gentler, kinder . . . hmmm."

The library was silent for a while.

Mei-lin was ready to bang her head on the wall. All of them are psychos! 'It was the way he said Sakura's name'. Ha!

"Sumitomo!" Tomoyo and Syaoran shouted in unison.

"Alan must be Sumitomo," replied Syaoran. "How else would he have know Tomoyo's name and where she lives?"

"And since he really cares about Sakura, he'd probably want to help her get back home," added Tomoyo. "Maybe he's not so bad after all."

Eriol turned to Syaoran. "Well, it's Syaoran's call. Are you going to use the stone or not?"

*~*

Sakura smiled approvingly at Mai-Tai who stood before the body length mirror in Sakura's room. "You look wonderful," said Sakura.

The younger girl just shook her head. "How are we going to pull this off? I don't think I can do it!" Mai-Tai began to pace around the room, wringing her hands in with the soft fabric of her red gown.

"Yes, you can. If you want Alan to notice you, then you'll have to do it."

The maid nodded. She stared at her reflection in the mirror. She gently touched her curled hair, then her clean face. "I do look beautiful, don't I? I mean, not to be vain or anything."

Sakura smiled. "Of course you do. Now go into the bathroom to freshen up."

When Mai-Tai had stepped into the next room, Sakura flopped down onto the large bed with a sigh. She wanted to see if Alan had been successful with the stone and when Syaoran planned to come and rescue her. Sakura missed her friends, her family and most of all her fiancé.

She allowed herself to think about her home for a while, but stopped when she felt tears well up in her eyes. Sakura pushed them away. There was no time for her to cry now. Soon Syaoran would arrive in Chiyo-Takura. Then a fierce battle would begin- and for that she had to be strong.

Sakura slowly got off the bed and called to her friend. "Mai-Tai, it's time to go."

*~*

Alan watched carefully as Sakura entered the ballroom. She looked beautiful as usual. He smiled wistfully, then shook his head. There's no use longing for something you can't have, he told himself.

Then his gaze swept over the young beauty who stood next to Sakura. The girl looked familiar. Where had he seen her before?

He pushed those thoughts out of his head and focused on his duty. He needed to inform Sakura that everything was going as planned.

Alan carefully approached Sakura and her mysterious friend, aware of the watchful eyes around them. He couldn't let anyone find out that they knew each other or else someone might become suspicious.

Alan sent Sakura a smile as he stopped in front of her. "You must be Lady Kinomoto. Yukio has told me much about you."

Sakura raised one slim eyebrow. "And who are you?"

She was a pretty good actor. "I am Li Alan, Yukio's second in command. I'm running the place in his absence."

"Really?"

"Would you like to dance? We could talk."

"Of course . . . but under one condition."

What is she up to? "What is it?"

"You must dance with my friend, Mai, when we are done."

Mai? Mai . . . Tai? What does Sakura think she's doing?

"Lady!" exclaimed Mai-Tai, her face turning red.

"Well?" asked Sakura.

"Okay."

Alan led Sakura out onto the dance floor and held her close. "What are you up to? Why do you want me to dance with your friend?" he whispered to her.

"Don't worry about it. Sooo . . . you talked to Syaoran? You gave him the stones?"

Alan nodded. "I set his stone to a specific destination. He'll be safe where he arrives."

"'Where is he going to go?"

"That's not important. Unless you tell me what you're up to."

"Then I guess we're both out of luck."

Alan chuckled.

"Oh, come on! Can't you just tell me?"

Alan cautiously looked around. "There are too many people around. They're all watching us very closely. Someone might overhear."

Sakura sighed in defeat. "You're right."

"Don't worry about Syaoran. You and I both know that he can take care of himself."

How can I NOT worry?

*~*

"BE CAREFUL, LITTLE BROTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!" wailed Fuutie, Fanren and Feimei as they threw themselves onto Syaoran.

Syaoran stumbled backwards, but managed not to fall over. "Jeez! I'm not leaving yet!"

"We know," sniffed Feimei.

"But we can't help it," added Fanren.

Fuutie wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. "It's so romantic! You going off to save the woman you love!"

This sent the girls into a frenzy of tears.

Xiefa rolled her eyes. "Are you SURE I'm related to them, Mother?"

Eriol, Tomoyo and the whole Li gang sat in the library discussing Syaoran's upcoming trip.

Sanori sent her daughter a look. "I can't help it if they're helpless romantics. But you have to admit . . . it is rather touching."

"Syaoran will be fine," added Eriol. "He's tougher than he looks."

Fanren sighed. "I'd feel a lot better if Eriol was going with you, little brother."

Syaoran frowned. "You don't think I can pull this off by myself?"

Fuutie shook her head. "Oh, it' s not that. It's just that . . . he IS the reincarnation of the great Clow Reed."

Eriol grinned. "I'm glad you ladies have so much faith in me. Why don't you let me come along, Syaoran? I could help you."

Feimei frowned. "Well, Eriol might not be TOO useful. After all, he's only half of Clow Reed."

Syaoran laughed at that. It felt good. "Look, I'll be fine alone. Don't worry."

As the family continued to talk, Syaoran worried about Sakura. What was she doing? How was Yukio treating her? He hoped that she wouldn't be hurt and that she would be alright when he got there to rescue her.

*~*

A young man stared up at the moon from his place on the ground. He then lowered his head and whispered a soft prayer.

Behind him, an older woman stepped out of a straw hut. "Please, Galen, come to bed."

The man shook his head and remained on his knees. "I cannot, mother. I had a dream that our Savior will come tonight and I plan to be here when he does."

His mother sighed. "But why hasn't our priest had a vision about him? Why you?"

Galen shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. Maybe it was meant to be this way. Even thought I do not have your support, I have many of our people standing behind me. They will wait with me for our Savior."

Galen's mother looked around. There were several other Maiyans on the ground in similar positions as her son. She shook her head. Were her people really that desperate for this Savior?

She looked up at the sky. Well, Savior, if it's really your time to come, then show us what you're made of.

Author's Note: Sorry for the delay. Please R+R! Oh, and that last part will be explained in the next chapter.