Thanks for all the reviews, mina-chan!(Everyone) Nice to see some new readers! ^_________________^ (very happy)

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She fell onto the futon, exhausted, and in minutes, she feel asleep.

Shaoran looked at her when he sensed she was asleep. Their was no doubt about it now. He was defiantly receiving emotions from her. And they where getting stronger, and more frequent. Even with his mother, they weren't like this. He only got emotions from her when she very worried about something, or focusing of something that caused her great emotion. With Eriol, it was what ever he wanted to let him know. But with her... He watched her sleeping form, and wondered if she was getting and emotions from him. As far as he knew, it worked both ways.

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Cherry Blossoms and Magic

Chapter 8
Nightmares; Cause and Effect

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Shaoran jolted up from his sleep. Something didn't feel right.

"No. Oni-chan." Came the voice from the shifting figure on the futon. "Don't leave me. No."

She was having another nightmare.

"Stop!" She yelled, and within seconds Shaoran was next to her. When she yelled again, he started to shake her lightly, attempted to wake her up.

"Kinomotto."

"Let go of me!" She screamed, causing him to pull his arm back in shock, only to see she was still sleeping. His shaking had somehow made its way into her dream.

He felt fear suddenly surge from her. It was getting worse.

He lifted her up by her shoulders, and began to shake her, more forcefully than last time.

"Kinomotto!"

She began to scream again, trying to break loose of his grasp.

"SAKURA!" He yelled.

Her eyes flew open, and she looked at him with shock, then her eyes began to water.

He slowly let go of her, unsure of what to do as he looked at her.

"Shaoran..." She abruptly shot forward, knocking him back onto the futon, as she began to cry.

Awkwardly he lightly wrapped his arms around. She continued crying. He didn't know what to do. "It's all right." He found himself saying. "It was only a dream."

"No, it wasn't." She cried softly.

He remained silent, as she continued to cry.

"Do you want to tell me about it. Its a Chinese belief that if you tell someone what's troubling you, that they will help take the burden off you."

He could have been mistaken, but he thought at that instant he felt her smile.

"It's also a Japanese one." She said after a while.

"Well then, I guess it common knowledge."

She had stopped crying, yet she didn't try to move away as she whipped tears from her eyes.

"It was 10 years ago, when I was 6. I wasn't sure what was going on at the time, but

After a few more seconds, she began.

"It was 10 years ago, when I was only 6. I didn't know it at the time, but an unknown man had been secretly attacking noble families which had strong magical heritage." She paused for a moment. "He had been attacking the families in their homes at night, making it easier. One of those nights he attacked my family." He tightened his hold on her, sensing at that moment she needed it.

There was fighting. People where screaming. My brother came to my room, and led me to the backyard where there was a hole just big enough for me to slip through. He told me to go to Tomoyo's house, and I never saw him, or my family again." The tears started to slowly come back. "Two nights later, he attacked Tomoyo's house while her and I where away. Her mother had been my mother's cousin, making her considered to have magic.

Tomoyo and I are the only one's left of our families."

He continued to hold her.

"Are you all right?"

She nodded her head.

He began to take his arms off her to move away, but when she felt him doing so, she clutched onto him, locking him to her.

He looked down on her with surprise at the unexpected action. She didn't look at him.

"Please." She whispered. "Don't leave me yet."

He couldn't think of anything else to do but comply. "I won't." He promised as he settled down next to her, holding her close to him.


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BAMB!

Eriol slammed into the wall again.

He stepped back and watched as an electric current coursed through the walls, temporarily lighting up the room in red.

If the walls where under a spell, then it meant that the area, small as it was, did not have a magical neutralizer over it.

This was something he knew he could use for his advantage.

His usual smiled returned to his lips as the light dimmed out.


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Shaoran awoke to the sweet scent again.

She lay curled up to his chest, his hand holding her protectively on the small of her back.

Looking at her smiling serenely in her sleep, he didn't notice as a similar smile come to his.

He lights lifted a hand as he brushed dis-shelved strands of hair from her face.

'How could anyone want to hurt you?'

It was as he fell back into sleep, holding her close once more, that he promised to do what ever he could for her.


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Hours later, Sakura woke up.

She opened her eyes, and blushed as red as a tomato, finding herself in the muscular arms of the Chinese warrior/prince/sorcerer. (A/N: HE'S SO MANY THINGS! ^______^)

She ever so slowly began to attempt at raising his arm off her. However, he chose at that second to shift in his sleep, gathering her up in an even stronger hold.

"Hoee." She whispered lightly. "Look what I've gotten into now."

She had hoped to get up without waking him to prevent any further embarrassment that the both of them may feel. Now it looked like she would either have to wake him up so she could get up, or wait for him to either A: Wake up, or B: wait till his grip possibly loosens on her. She looked to him, and she decided to wait a bit. There was no rush to get breakfast, and she still had a bit till her powers where fully regained.

It was sweet of him to have held her till she feel asleep. 'He's really a nice guy after you get to know him for a bit.'

His hold on her suddenly loosened considerably, but she didn't bother to get up yet.

She slowly propped herself on an elbow, and leaned over his face as she continued to observe him. He looked like a little boy when he slept. His heavy, dark brown bangs fell attractively over his eyes, and she was beginning to find the mid-frown on his face adorable.

'Thank you so much for putting up with me.' She thanked as she leaned forward, and lightly pressed her lips against his slightly parted ones. After a few seconds, she sat up, looking at him, blushing at what she had just done.

She finally moved from him quite easily, and as quietly as possible, slid off the futon onto the wood floor.

She walked hurriedly to the door, prepared to get some food.

When she opened the door, a round, yellow ball rolled at her feet that looked vaguely like Kero.

"Ughhh... Ohayuo, Sakura-chan. The food here is good, you should try it."

She looked down a bit shocked at the condition Kero was in. "I plan to if you left some."

He smiled to her innocently as he began to fly up to her. "Can you please get me some plums. They're delicious here."

"Ayiee." She said a bit annoyed at the fact he could still think of food. "We'll see." She said as she closed the door behind her, Kero inside, listening to her foot steps fade in the distance.

He began to fly to the table when movement on the futon caught his eye. "Wha... its only the Gaki asleep on the futon." It was only when he landed on the table what he gave a double take.

'Wait a minute! He was supposed to sleep on the floor. Sakura was supposed to sleep on the floor!'

"GAKI! WAKE UP YOU STINKING INCONSIDERATE JERK!"

He flew right up to his face as he said this.

Shaoran's eyes snapped open as he woke to the shouting, only to slant in annoyance seeing it was only Kero, who was staring at him with veins popping out of his forehead.

"What..." deep breath, "ARE YOU DOING ON THE FUTON!?"

Shaoran didn't blink once.

"I was sleeping."

Kero's mood didn't change at all.

"HOW DARE YOU MAKE SAKURA SLEEP ON THE FLOOR! SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO SLEEP THERE!"

Shaoran looked to him with an eyebrow raised, and said something that only made it worse. "She did sleep here."

Kero's eyes bulged out at this. "You... futon... Sakura... sleep... you... futon..."

"Something along those lines." Shaoran added.

"Ohayuo!" Sakura greeted cheerfully as she entered the room carrying a tray loaded with food, a tea pot, and many plums.

She blushed slightly seeing Shaoran as he moved to the table. Kero noticed this as if it had smacked him in the face.

Sakura sat down on the cushion that was placed across from Shaoran, and instantly began pouring tea, red still evident in her cheeks.

"Arigato." Shaoran thanked as he took the cup she offered him, catching her gaze, causing her whole face to turn total red.

Inside, Shaoran smiled. She was embarrassed. He found it amusing, and even something else he wasn't sure of. 'Kami-sama. What's wrong with me?' he prayed as he began to drink.

Kero was still studying the two with the eyes of a hawk. This was the most he had ever seen Sakura blush. 'Could it mean that they-'

Sakura's face had turned to him, and a look of concern was showing. "Kero, is something wrong?"

Kero's face was unknowingly twitching, along with his veins still bulging out.

"You tell me, Sakura-chan." She said through a forced smile.

She looked confused at this.

"Nothings wrong Kero." her expression suddenly changed to a saddened look. "Nothing, except that we havn't gotten Tomoyo and Eriol back."

Kero felt guilt stab him, and his expression softened. He was worrying about the wrong thing.

He jumped into the air, and hovered before Sakura.

"Cheer up Sakura! Today we'll get them back!" He suddenly took on a very thoughtful look. "However, I don't think the day can start till you smile."

Sakura look at him for a moment, and slowly a smile crept on her face.

"Kero-chan." She cooed as she embraced him the best she could, squeezing him in a tight hug.

He beamed at her as he ignored the painful affection as best as he could, and turned his head to Shaoran, who was watching them. Kero mouthed "I'll deal with you later" and turned back to Sakura.

"So," he started when she loosened up on him. "Any idea's on how we'll accomplish this?"


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Invisible against the black sky of the night, they flew. (A/N: Ohhhh, so dramatic.)

It took much of Sakura's will to concentrate with Shaoran's hands planted firmly, but gently around her waist to keep balance, but after a few minutes she grew used to it.

The full moon lightened the view of the ground below them, and soon they came upon the massive fortress Mahoutsukai called home. (A/N: Oui! There I go again. Thats it, I'm not eating angel food cake, peanuts, and scallop potatoes, while watching Nights Tale in that order ever again!)

"We can get in through a window." Kero suggested as he flew next to her.

"Right. Li-san, hold on." As soon as she gave him waning, she sent the wand into a dive. Since her last experience on FLY, she had become quite experienced, and had confidence in controlling it.

With an almost terrifying swoosh, Sakura zoomed into a dark room from a window, and light got off the wand, Shaoran doing the same.

Through dim lamp light, Sakura saw they where in an empty room, a door not too far off. Shaoran brought a finger to his lips as took out a card.

With a swift motion, he hit the card with his sword, summoning the card's powers. "Illusion, keep us invisible to all who wish us harm. Illusion!" He yelled in a whisper.

After this was done, Sakura took out her silent card, doing a similar spell. Now whoever wished them harm couldn't hear or see them. Perfect for sneaking around a castle like this. That is, if they worked.

'Only one way to find out.' She challenged as she stepped out into the dark hallway.


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Eriol came out of meditating when he sensed them. They where here, where ever here was. Captured, or coming to rescue? 'Either way, its the perfect time as any to get out of here.' He thought as he threw himself once again against the wall.

"Arghhh..." The electric currents where painfully traveling through his body. His body wanted to throw itself from the wall, but his mind kept him there.

"Neutrious!" he gasped, focusing all his consciousness into the word. He wasn't sure if he had enough power to succeed without his wand to channel the energy, but that wouldn't stop him from trying.

His face was torn in agony as he forced himself to stay. He knew he would only be able to stand so much more...

Bitzzzzzzzz.

The walls flicked a few seconds before he feel to the floor.

"Eriol-san!" Tomoyo yelled as she ran to his side. "Are you ok?"

He smiled and nodded, forcing himself up.

"You took out the walls!"

"I thought it was past time we left." He looked to the door curiously, wondering if guards would come soon.

He was now standing on his own. The electricity apparently had a very temporary effect.

"What do you say we get out of her?" He said, bowing to her, and offering his hand.

She took it, smiling in agreement.


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They where running down the halls, 2 floors from their origin. Other than keeping Kero from playing tricks on guards they passed, they had no problems so far.

As they passed another room, Sakura froze, and went back to the door way.

"Li, Eriol's wand is in here."

The room was pitch black, but she could clearly see the outline of the sorcerer's wand next to the doorway as she began to reach for it.

"No!" Shaoran yelled at the last second, reaching for Sakura, but was too late.

As soon as she made contact with the wand, a force pulled them into the black room.

Sakura gave a little yelp in pain as she was once again thrown against a wall, dropping the wands. She tried to move, but some force had pinned her to it.

In the pitch black, not far off she could her the clank of a sword as it too feel to the ground.

An evil chortle was heard, and the room was suddenly lit up by hundreds of candles. In the center of the room sat Mahoutsukai, back to them.

"Have visitors, do I?" He asked darkly.

Sakura looked down to see the wands sprawled below her, along with the silent card. The impact had somehow knocked it out. She looked to Shaoran, about 10 yards away locked against a wall, card also next to his sword.

Mahoutsukai began to face them, an evil grin plastered his face. However, a glowing object behind him caught her attention. It had her on it, looking at Mahoutsukai.

He only smiled more seeing this. "Like it, it's another invention of Clow's. It enables the user to watch whatever, and whoever it wants, along with magical bonuses."

Anger came to Sakura along with the realization that he had been watching them from the very start, for who knows how long. He had been playing with them.

Mahoutsukai's dark robed figure slowly walked to her. He picked up her wand, and studied it. "So this is the legendary Clow card sealing wand?" He gave a little laugh. "It evident that it's been highly influenced by your aura." He referred to the pink color.

A growl came as Kero suddenly shot at of no where, and moved to Mahoutsukai like lightning. However in that split second, Mahoutsukai sent a burning ball of fire right at Kero, sending him thumping against the far opposite wall, falling to the ground, and making no sign of life.

"KERO!"

"Useless guardian beast of the seal." Mahoutsukai muttered, at the same time the Silent card flew to his hand. He studied this also, a frown coming to his face. "You wrote you name on it. On all of them I suppose." It was true, before they had left, Kero had advised them to do so, locking the cards to only them. Mahoutsukai looked a bit annoyed as he turned to Shaoran.

He walked to him, and stood before him for a while. Sakura cringed as she watched Kero's motionless form, fearing what Mahoutsukai had in store for them.

"Its come to my understanding that you are the most direct descendant of Clow Reed, no?" He questioned.

Shaoran kept his eyes fixated on Mahoutsukai glaringly, but made no other signs that her heard the question.

Mahoutsukai's expression became colder at this, and suddenly Shaoran was crackling with red sparks erupting from Mahoutsukai's hands, causing Shaoran to cry out in pain.

It went on for a few more minutes, and Sakura couldn't take it any longer-

"STOP IT!"

The energy suddenly seized, and Shaoran's head limped forward.

Mahoutsukai turned to her, malice written all over his body.

Shaoran suddenly lifted his head, sending her a look to keep out of it, and said "What is it to you that I might be it?"

Mahoutsukai turned back to Shaoran suddenly, his attention back on Shaoran, away from Sakura.

"What does it mean to me?" Mahoutsukai began laughing hideously. "Well, if you are indeed it, then you two are exactly what I need to make Aldrenta a reality."


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Was there good enough S+S mush?

Sorry if towards the end here it got poor in writing quality. Its past midnight, and I'm tired. *Yawn* Like it, hate it, don't care? Tell me so in a review, or you might not like what I write next. *Evil Laugh*

I'll work on Small Meets Big tomorrow.