Merry Chistmas! Happy Hanukah! And happy holidays to the things you celebrate if not those! ^_^'

Hahahahahaha (rubbing head wildly in embarrassed state) You know what. I AM SOO SORRY. I understand if people have lost interest in the story for my lack of updates. But if your willing to listen to my excuse, here it is. Remember when I said I got a new computer? For some reason that computer broke. I have the worst luck with computer. And the worst I did with it was getting an illegal operation while making Card captor Sakura clips of Shaoran for my upcoming site. And you know what's worst? I had this chapter more than half way done, and all my work on my site was deleted. We traded in the computer for a new one (those people at best buy kick ass!) oh and while there I got the Utena movie dvd! So something good came of it. But anyway, all of this chapter was deleted, and it was a lot of work, so I was very reluctant to rewrite it again so soon. But, ah here it is. For now on, it will be most likely for me to update this story once a month, or something like that. I need to put all my classes first now that I've seen my semester grade. I need to maintain a 3.0 if I want to get into the foreign exchange program, and I WILL be in it! So this will mean my updates will become somewhat uncommon, (like it isn't already?) but the chapters will be long, and hopefully well written.

Note to self) never give another excuse in fanfictions.

Oh yeah, note here on Tomoyo. I've begun to see I'm writing her a bit out of character. I'm sorry. The only cause I can have for this is 1) She's about 6 years older than the series Tomoyo, 2) Cameras weren't around then, and 3) She and Sakura went through a traumatic experience when they where children. Forgive me for messing up Tomoyo. -_-'

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"You sure said some odd stuff in your dream. I'm sure interested in what it was about." Kero said suggestively.

Sakura brought her knees to her chest, and blushed heavily.

"Me too, Sakura!" Tomoyo called from the fire where she was cooking.

Sakura only got redder when Eriol said "I think we all would. We all only heard bits a pieces, but it sounded very interesting. And Kero said you get premonitions in your dreams."

Apparently Eriol was able to hear what ever she had said all the way from where he stood packing the horses with Shaoran, who took a glance at her when Eriol said this. Everyone was aware of her dream now.

"It was just a dream." She responded in a loud whisper. "Just a bad one." Her gaze which she was trying to keep from everyone was drawn to Kero, who looked up to her with his arms crossed, clearly not convinced.

"It didn't seem like that to me from what words I picked up. Once, I think I even heard a name said."

"How long where you listening to her before you woke me?!" Kero was clearly upset at the possibility her could of heard more. He didn't notice that Sakura was at the brightest shade of red he would of ever seen on her.

Sakura was secretly hoping that it was only Tomoyo who heard it. She only remembered calling out one name. But even with Tomoyo hearing it, knowing Tomoyo, she would think of it completely different.

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Cherry Blossoms and Magic

Chapter 11
Dreams and feelings co-exist (o_O Couldn't think of a title)

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Tomoyo took an deep sigh of the sweet forest air as she rode next Sakura, who was tentivly awaiting the inquisition. Ever since they left the valley of the cherry trees, Tomoyo hadn't asked once about the dream. Kero was the same. Once in a while he would mumble something incoherently, but then he would reposition himself on her shoulder, which he chose to do at that particular moment.

"Kero, if your going to continue doing that, couldn't you go back in my obi?"

"And miss all the scenery as we pass? You don't know me enough if you'd think I'd miss this." He responded defensively.

Sakura didn't say anything to this, however she wondered that if this was true, how could he see everything when he had his eyes closed. She sighed, and them looked back to Tomoyo, who seemed to be enjoying the view of the ravine to their right. Tomoyo's lack of questioning was beginning to make Sakura feel very uncomfortable, but it wasn't only that. The dream she had was driving her nuts with her trying to decipher its meaning. To make matters worst, after she woke up she found the dream card next to her, when she knew for a fact that it was put away with the other cards before she slept. She refrained from telling anyone about this, even though she thought Eriol or Kero would have the answer. Maybe if I tell Tomoyo and Kero, they could come up with ideas what the dream means. But she hadn't had the chance to tell Tomoyo or Kero yet. Maybe what Tomoyo was waiting for was for Sakura to tell her willingly.

Sakura casually stole a look behind her as she pretended o stretch. Eriol and Shaoran where in the middle of a conversation, well out of hearing distance behind her. Even if they where in hearing distance, the plopping of the horses' hooves would drown out her conversation.

"Tomoyo-chan?" she asked with uncertainly.

"Hmmmm?" Tomoyo turned her head to Sakura, awaiting what next would be said.

"You know that dream I had this morning?"

"The one where you called out Shoran's name?" Tomoyo asked playfully.

"What! It was the Gaki's name she called out?!" Tomoyo obviously hadn't told Kero yet the name she hinted Sakura called out in her sleep. By his desperate manner here, it seemed Tomoyo just gave him the worst answer possible.

"Oh come on Kero, its not the end of the world." Sakura answered for Tomoyo, quite peeved at his reaction. What did Shaoran ever do to make Kero hate him so? Kero had no right to be like that to him. "And why we're on the subject, I want you to be more polite to him. You have no good reason to be so mean to him."

"Yes I do!"

"And what would that be?" Tomoyo asked.

"He's a Chinese gaki! And I don't trust him. That's why!"

"Why don't you trust him?" Sakura had totally forgotten the original topic of their conversation.

"Just because." He grumbled, arms crossed as he stood on Sakura's shoulder.

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Suddenly, in the middle of talking to Eriol, Shaoran sneezed.

"Are you getting sick?" His blue haired cousin asked him.

"I don't think so."

Eriol grinned the smile Shaoran disliked so much. "You know, here in Japan I've heard a saying. It goes that if you sneeze, someone is talking about you."

"How is it that I've been with you pretty much the whole time we've been in Japan, and yet you seem to know considerably more than I do about it?"

Eriol just grinned, eyes closed this time.

Why did he even bother asking?

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"Because why?" Sakura inquired further, wanting a more suitable answer from Kero.

"I have my reasons. Lets just leave it at that."

Sakura "hmmped" on her horse, who neighed slightly, sensing her mood. Sakura became instantly aware not to get to emotional on the animal.

"Sakura."

"Yeah?" Tomoyo was asking her something again.

"You where going to talk about your dream." Tomoyo was smiling slightly with her head tilted. She knew Sakura didn't purposely get off track.

Sakura chuckled embarrassed. "I was, wasn't I?"

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"So what does Xioa Lang, future leader of the Li clan, plan to do when he returns to China?" All knowing Eriol asked.

Shaoran looked rather surprised at the sudden, serious question. This was something he could add to the list of many things Eriol caught him off guard with. "I... I don't know."

"You don't?" Eriol seemed surprised at this answer too.

Shaoran knew why. He always considered himself someone with the future always in mind. He'd been trained like that since birth. 'Think of the now, but always consider the later with a clear mind. Its for the best of the Clan.' they would always tell him. "I don't" He admitted.

"Well, that is unexpected." That's all Eriol said.

"If your so smart, what are you going to do when we get back?"

Eriol grinned. "I plan on reading this extraordinary piece of work I've acquired her by a woman named Lady Murasaki . Its called The Tale of the Genji."

"How interesting." Shaoran replied with sarcasm. He being forced to read scriptures all the time when he was younger took away all the appeal to read for enjoyment.

"That and tell the elders I think your ready to be made Clan leader."

Shaoran chocked. He had to cough for a second to get a hold of himself. "What did you just say?"

"You didn't hear me wrong, cousin. I think its time I give my approval. On this trip you've shown your ready for it. So that gives you something to think ahead for. However, I'm sure though our dear cousin Meilin will be ecstatic to hear the news."

Shaoran grimaced at the mention of his most likely bride. Eriol knew how much Shaoran hated the idea of marring her.

"You know you could always show the elders someone who you think would be more of an appropriate candidate."

"Can't. The only problem they have with Meilin is that she can't do magic. Other than that, she's perfect to them." Shaoran stressed out 'perfect.' "No one in their eyes comes close to her. And anyway, I'd could never bring another girl before the elders. Meilin would probably get so jealous, she'd probably try to kill her."

"That is why you get someone who can stand her ground against Meilin. One Meilin couldn't touch so easily." Eriol smiled slightly, and Shaoran had the feeling he was trying to give him a hint about something. "Although it would take an extraordinary girl who can best Meilin, there are girls like that. You just have to know where to look. And if you find a girl like that, and have feelings for her, you shouldn't hesitate, or underestimate her, even if you want to protect her."

Shaoran watched Eriol as he considered what was just said. With Eriol you could never be to careful.

A yell of "Kero" filled the air and drew his attention. Ahead he could she the rest of their group as the rode in front. Tomoyo seemed to be laughing as Sakura glared at the guardian beast as he flew in between the girls. He assumed the yell came form Sakura, and he could understand why. If she ever asked him, he would be happy to teach that little fur ball a lesson in manners in respect. He was, after all,, supposed to be their guardian.

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Sakura had just finished telling her first half o the dream, and was relived to see Tomoyo had a thoughtful look on her face. Kero on the other hand still looked grumpy. She assumed this was because he had a small breakfast.

"I think," Tomoyo began "that your dream is a hint of something to come. Possibly not like that in exact detail, but something like that may happened. So if I'm right, and that this may happen, Li-kun seems to be-"

"In danger." Kero interrupted. "The Gaki's going to be in danger. Good riddance, I say. Then once he's gone, you can have all the cards."

"KERO!" Sakura suddenly yelled, Shaking him off her shoulder. He flew off and flew in between her and Tomoyo. "How can you be so mean? What did he ever do to you?! I consider him my friend now, and from now on I want you to be nice to him."

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Sakura couldn't say that from then on Kero at least wasn't trying to be... polite. She was upset with the fact that she didn't understand why Kero hated him. She'd get it out of him somehow.

For the next couple of days they traveled though more valleys without any interruption, and soon they entered an area of rice fields. Way off in the distance they could see the faint outline of mount Fuji, still days of travel away. However, seeing the great mountain brought a sense of comfort to Sakura. It looked like they where going to make it in time.

"Can you quit twitching for one minute!" a very agitated Tomoyo practically yelled at Eriol, who was currently trying to adjust his Samurai kimono, and sword for better comfort. At hearing Tomoyo, he stopped, put both hands on the reigns of his horse, and smiled innocently at her. As soon as she turned around again, no longer looking at him, Eriol was at it again.

Sakura smiled. She could just count the seconds till Tomoyo would catch him again. Five, four, tree, two-

"Hiragizawa Eriol!"

So she was a few seconds wrong. She looked towards them. Tomoyo was currently yelling at Eriol while he smiled that infamous smile of his. However her attention was soon brought to the figure riding off to Eriol's right. When she looked at him, she felt a pang of dread feel her. Seeing him reminded her of her dreams. Her dreams where getting worse.

It had been 3 nights since the first dream with the girl of the cherry trees, and every night she had the part of the dream where Shaoran was beside her. The swirl of cherry blossoms never came any more. That must of been caused by the prophet. Now the dreams went on. For the first two nights, he would take his hand from her, and she would instantly gab it back, afraid of what would happen. Then as soon as she had hold of his hand, she would wake up as if from a nightmare, which she was starting to consider them.

However, last nights dream was different. In last nights dream she decided to try something different. That time when he took his hand from her hand she stayed where she was. She didn't try to take it back. He walked about two steps, and then jumped. He jumped into the dark abyss. Then she woke up in a cold sweat, as usual. A cold sweat, and breathing heavy. Next she would do what was standard now; she would look to see if she woke anyone up, then return the Clow card that was in her hand each time she woke form the nightmare. The Dream card.

He's in danger. That's too apparent. I have to warn him.

Sakura only realized she was still looking at him when he met her eyes. She was caught off guard by this, and looked back surprised until she found herself and smiled, embarrassed, and then turned to face forward.

He must think something is wrong with you. That's what? The thirtieth time he caught you looking at him? It was most likely true, but she didn't know that out of those thirty, at least half of them where actually her catching him looking at her.

They where passing a new crop field when Sakura heard the all to familiar sound as Eriol adjusted his outfit again. At this Tomoyo brought her horse to a halt with a "THAT'S IT!"

Sakura was stunned. She knew Tomoyo could get angry, but she didn't think that she was THAT angry. Everyone stopped their horses and looked at Tomoyo.

"He..." She pointed to Eriol, who gave her a innocent smile. " CANNOT be a samurai!"

Not one person said a word, wondering what would happen next.

"No one will every buy it for a second that he is a samurai. He keeps twitching and messing with his clothes and sword! He doesn't even have the right body type! He's and insult to samurai everywhere! He's like a fox demon about to be caught in his trick!"

Sakura began to puzzle over this new expression Tomoyo used, and saw that Shaoran was giving a bit of a smile. Whether it was at the "fox demon" or Eriol being an insult to samurai, she didn't know. Eriol still managed to keep a innocent look on his face the whole time. Tomoyo continued on rambling.

"Anyone who looks at him could automatically assume that he's never had a day of sword training in his life. That, and again, HE'S TO SCRAWNY TO BE A SAMURAI!"

Sakura saw that Eriol's smile was unbelievable huge and stretched, like he was trying to contain laughter. "Well, Tomoyo-chan, I think it's safe to say that about sword training. When the elder's came to give us lessons, I always ran to the library."

Tomoyo went on as if she didn't hear him. "Make him a... a... a scribe or something! Anything but a Samurai! Please, I can't see that outfit being defiled by him." Tomoyo pleaded to Sakura. Tomoyo and clothes. That's what this is about.

"Would you like to be a scribe instead, Eriol-san?"

"Only if your sure it won't bother you."

Sakura stared quizzed at him for a moment. How would he being a scribe bother her? "It won't bother me." She finally answered while she took out the illusion, and began chanting the incantation to release the wand. Doing so, she brought the illusion card before her, and released it. As she did so, she was rather proud of her self, she had gotten the hang of this card stuff.

When she was done, Eriol sat on his horse (who was currently very skiddish for seeing a cloud of something coming after it, or more like his rider) in a newer, more formal men's kimono, except this outfit had no swords.

"Arigatou, Sakura-chan." Eriol thanked.

Sakura nodded in response, it was all she could do. As soon as she finished releasing the card, she was overwhelmed by a wave of exhaustion that felt almost like the time the tenju was attacking them. She tried to face forward before anyone would notice. It was suddenly a challenge to sit up on the horse now. Hoe... Why do I feel like this? Then Eriol's warning came to mind. Only if your sure it won't bother you.
Is this what he meant?

She turned her head when she heard someone coming up behind her. It was Shaoran, who was studying her very suspiciously. When his horse came up to hers, she made a larger effort of sitting up strait, and looking awake.

"Are you ok?"

She forced a smiled that turned out even more tired then she meant it to be. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You look tired." Was all he said in retort to her answer.

They rode on in silence, and she knew every few minute he was glancing at her. She couldn't help but let a smile of happiness pass through to her face. He really was concerned for her.

For a moment there she almost forgot how tired she was. But it overwhelmed her suddenly just like when it first came. Why was she feeling like this? Her eyes lids became very heavy, and it was begging to become a struggle to stay up right because she felt she no longer had the strength to support herself. Keep your eyes open! She told herself as her eyes voluntarily closed. She forced them to open, but seconds latter they began to close again to blackness.

"Sakura!" She heard Tomoyo yell from far away as she began to take on a slow, floating sensation, and sensed nothing more.

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Shaoran saw just in time when she began to fall off the horse. He at once seized her arm, and kept her up long enough for Tomoyo to come to a point where he helped her set her down on the ground.

"Sakura!" Tomoyo yelled as she knelt above her friend, trying to revive her. "Sakura..."

Kero came out from Sakura's kimono, shaken at the wake up call of almost being crushed by Sakura's fall. Eriol came next to them, and they where now all situated around her.

"Sakura..." Tomoyo called as she watched Shaoran place a hand on her forehead, and then felt for a pulse on her neck. "Is she alright?" she asked him, tears begging to appear in her eyes, never once taking them off her friend.

"She's in Zhou Yi Chi."

Tomoyo frowned at not being able to understand what these foreign words meant. "Wha-"

"You don't haven't to worry, Tomoyo." Eriol began to answer for her. "That means that her body, using all her magic energy, shut itself down and is now regenerating. Now to keep up the Illusion spell she has cast, her body is using her physical energy. But you don't have to worry. You would only have to worry if she used a powerful spell with her magic energy already that low. That wouldn't give her body a chance to go into this sleep state, and would take her very life energy to succeed in the spell." Eriol he gave her a small, comforting smile when he finished.

Tomoyo's eyes only grew wider at hearing this. "You mean she can die from using magic!"

Eriol looked down at her, shocked at this outburst, but also at himself for saying something so lightly. "Well... yes. The only time I know in history for that to happen would have been in my past life. A man conducted the spell as a desperation move to destroy an enemy, but he knew what I was doing. However I'm sure Sakura will never have to do such a spell, and If so I'm sure she knows not to do one with a low amount of magic energy."

Tomoyo looked only slightly comforted with this information.

"Why did this happen? She only used the Illusion card." Shaoran glared at Eriol, assuming he knew the answer. "Illusion doesn't take that much energy for the small spells she used."

"I'm not sure, but I suspect she's been using other cards without us knowing." After Eriol said this, all eyes turned to Kero.

"Cerberus," Eriol began "didn't you warn her about using too much of her energy?"

Kero was looking down a the ground, playing with the dirt, looking guilty. "It may of slipped my mind."

Eriol's expression didn't change at this. "Did you see her using any other cards?"

"No."

"Well, unless Tomoyo saw her using any other cards..." Tomoyo shook her head no "Then it looks like we won't find out until she wakes up." Eriol looked to the horses. "I don't think Tomoyo can carry her, and my horse can barely support me." He smiled to Shaoran. "Looks like you'll have to carry her and be sure she doesn't fall off."

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Sakura woke up once again in a strange room which was this time void of any people. 'This happens a little too often' she thought to herself in an attempt to calm herself. She swung her legs over the edge of the futon where her feet met the cool tatami mat. When she attempted to stand, her legs gave way beneath her and she feel back onto the futon. Her body was more exhausted than she thought. After about three attempts she was able to walk to the other side of the room, but had to use the wall to help her stay up.

She hoped the others where near bye. The last thing she remembered was riding a horse after using the Illusion card once again and then beginning to feel very tired. Could she of blacked out?

She slid open the only door in the room, and came face to face with a man who looked a bit startled. He bowed slightly to her, and disappeared down a stairwell without a word. From the stair well she could hear the sound of many voices talking at once. Perhaps they where down stairs. It seemed safe since the man didn't give her much regard.

Next to the door where her shoes which she slipped on, then she walked out to the hallway holding onto the wall. She began to descend down the stairs, and at half way she finally saw where she was.

It was a large rooms with several tables filled with people eating and a woman going around serving them. She was at an inn. At a table far off to a corner she saw Eriol, Shaoran, and Tomoyo eating and conversing. After a minute, she caught Tomoyo's eye, and her friend immediately ran over to her.

"Sakura-chan, are you all right?"

"I'm fine I think, I just feel a bit tired." She leaned against the wall with both hands, and began to slump.

"Thank goodness for that. I was so worried when you almost feel off your horse. You could of been badly hurt if Li-san wasn't there to take hold of you before you feel. They said you used up too much magic. And they said you could of died if you did more!"

Sakura's eyes grew round at this. She never thought that using the cards could cause her her death.

"You should go back upstairs to rest some more if your still tired."

Sakura smiled. "I will, but first I'd like something to eat. I feel like I haven't eaten in days."

"I'll bring something up to yo-"

"No, that's alright. I'd like to eat with all of you. And it's kind of refreshing being around other people again."

Tomoyo hesitated a minute thinking abut it. "Ok. But you seem to need some help to walk." Tomoyo offered Sakura her hand with a sweet smile, and Sakura grasped onto it as she began to stand without the help of the wall.

They walked across the room and once in a while someone would look towards them, but only for a second or too before looking away and getting back into their conversation with their companions. As Tomoyo and her approached, she was both Eriol and Shaoran where watching them. She gave them a "Kongbanwa," seeing that in a window it was night, and they each politely returned it. Tomoyo helped her sit down before taking a seat next to her. As she sat, a movement into her back from her obi told her Kero had been with her the whole time. How useless could he be?

"Ah, I see the young lady is up." An old women in her forties approached with a tray of tea in her hands. Sakura immediately got the impression to like her by the kind, gentle smile which added more wrinkles to her already creased face. "You gave me quite a worry seeing this young man carrying you in here." She motioned to Shaoran as she said this. He was watching her with his usual look, casing Sakura to blush slightly. He gaze was only diverted when he begun to poor some tea for himself.

"No no, no!" The woman scolded him taking to tea pot from him, obviously surprising him. "It's not proper for you to poor the tea. You have to let me do it for you." Sakura smiled as the woman began doing just that. Shaoran still had that look on his face. "Any way," the woman began to poor tea in the rest of their cups. "As I was saying. Seeing this samurai carry you in like that made my heart skip a beat. Thought you where dead or something, a lovely creature like you. I was so relived when they told me you only fainted." She finished pouring tea into the last cup. Sakura was a bit happy with herself Illusion's disguises where working so well. "I hope you like the room your in. It's one of the best, and has a great view of Mount Fuji. On a night with moonlight its beautiful. You two will love it."

Shaoran choked on his tea, and Sakura looked up to the old woman with confused look, not knowing what the woman meant. Tomoyo was begging to giggle.

"Did I say something wrong?" The woman asked concerned. No one answered. "You mean you aren't.... Oh my, I'm so sorry. It just that I thought you two were... Oh my." The woman placed her hands on her face in embarrassment. "Please excuse me. In my old age I assume to much."

"Don't worry, It's quite alright." Eriol said. "It happens all the time." Shaoran shot him a glare which as usual, did not alter the impish smile on Eriol's face. Tomoyo just began to giggle out loud as she attempted to stifle them by placing her hand over her mouth.

"Again, I'm sorry." The woman gave a deep bow. "Now if you excuse me, I have to go serve tea to the other costumers." The woman then hurried off to another table without looking at them.

"Oh well, we can't blame her." Eriol said watching her walk off. "Perhaps she saw Shaoran carrying Sakura as we rode up on the horses."

Sakura blush grew deeper with a "hoe."

"Putting that matter aside," Eriol continued. "We need to talk about something, Sakura."

"Nani?" Sakura asked, lifting her head, blush gone.

"The subject of why you fainted. Or more likely went into Zhou Yi Chi."

Tomoyo answered her friend's confused look. "It's what happens when you use up too much magic, Sakura."

"Yes." Eriol continued on. "And it's very dangerous to go into. Its a process that puts your body into a regeneration while the spell takes up your physical energy. If you where to go on beyond that, you could take your very life energy. Meaning it would be taking your very life."

Sakura only stared on in shock. My life? So what Tomoyo said was true? I could die from using the cards.

"However, for you to use up all your magic that is needed for Zhou Yi Chi, you would of needed to use much more than the Illusion card. Or have a continues drain of magic. Has any of these happened to you?

They all looked on in silence waiting for her answer. She nervously began to play with the hem of her kimono. "Yes."

"What is it?"

"In... in the past couple of nights, since we where in the cherry valley, I've been having dreams..." They waited for her to continue. "Every time I wake up, I find the... I find the dream card out of the deck near me."

"You don't call upon it before you go to sleep?" Eriol asked seriously. Sakura shook her head in response.

It was a minute till Eriol said anything. When he did, it was carefully. "What does the dream card show you?"

"What does it show me?"

He nodded his head. "Yes, what it shows you can be very important, especially if the card acts on it's own. Dream only shows what is most likely to happen"

"Premonitions?" She responded with more worry in her voice then she meant.

"Yes." Eriol's eyes became cold and serious. "Why? What has it shown you?"

Her eyes flickered on Shaoran, which in seeing so caused Eriol to ask another question. "Does it involve Shaoran?"

Sakura hesitated before nodding, eyes on her hands which resided in her lap.

"What happens in it."

No answer.

"Sakura, I understand you may not want to reveal something so personal like your dreams, but it may be important."

"I know." She whispered.

"Then will you tell us what you saw?"

She took another glance at Shaoran and saw he was studying her. She quickly returned her gaze to her hands. "I..." another look to Shaoran. "I saw...Li-san's death."

Everyone at the table except Eriol was silent, stunned. This was different from what she had told Tomoyo earlier. "Are you sure?" Eriol questioned.

She nodded, not daring to look at Shaoran. "I... I couldn't see it... but I could feel it."

"Can you tell us how it happens?" He gently asked.

Sakura sat in silence, again taking pauses between statements. "I can't figure out what the place is, but we're standing there in... in the darkness. Sh... Li-san is standing next to me, but something's wrong and he begins to walk away from me. Not far from us is the only thing I can see in the darkness. A... a deep rift or something. And he... Li-san, he..." Sakura becoming upset was beginning o strain on her voice, making it painful for her to talk. She had to say it though. She had to get it out. "He jumps into it." She barely whispered the last part, but she knew they all heard it. She couldn't bear to look at Shaoran at the moment. She felt that the vision was all because of her. She felt that it was possibly her fault he was going to die.

"THE GODS ARE ANGRY WITH US!" The yell caused Sakura to jump suddenly, and all eyes went to the source of the disturbance; a dis-shelved man in the doorway. "The gods. The gods send a monster to punish us for our sins and evil deeds!"

A woman now ran in beside him, crying hysterically. "Run! Run for your lives! It comes from the sky!"

At this many people stand up and curiously begin to head outside to see for themselves, not really sure in believing the people.

"I'll go see what it is." Shaoran announces as he stands. Sakura continues to looks at her lap as he leaves. A minute later he returns.

"They are right about something, a monster does come, however I have doubts about any gods being involved in it because what's coming is a tenju.

Sakura felt a chill travel up her spine. Was it Mahoutsukai's? And if it was, did that mean he was near?

By now, the room was almost empty, everyone gone. Noises came from out side of people panicking about what to do.

"Lets get to the horses." Shaoran said as he watched the tavern mistress begin hurrying about to blow out all candles. Even when compared to monsters, fires where the biggest dangers with wood and paper houses.

"Do you think we'll be safe from it on the horses?" Tomoyo asked as she began to help Sakura up.

"As long as it doesn't see us." Shoran responded. Eriol didn't make any objections, and they began to head to the door. Shaoran removed his pendant, and it instantly expanded into his sword for what she thought to be 'just in case.' He must of really not liked the katana he wore at his hip. Sakura noticed she could feel the magic radiating from his broad sword, and suddenly received a bad feeling.

There where yells coming from outside, and a second later the sound of splintered wood and ripped paper filled the air, and a mass of black feathers tackled Shaoran, and sent him sprawling halfway across the room with the tenju.

"Whatever you do, do not use magic!" Eriol yelled to Shaoran as he managed to kick the tenju off of him.

"Do you think I don't know that!?" He replied as he dodged the tenju's talon. They had seen what the tenju could do with magic. Absorb it. Did that mean it was also attracted to it?

"Just being sure."

Shaoran called back to Eriol. "If you aren't to busy, I could use a hand!"

Sakura's grip on Tomoyo tightened they watched the tenju jump onto Shaoran. Sakura's felt her other hand go to her necklace.

"Sakura! You can't use magic no matter what!" Tomoyo told her in a harsh whisper, not wanting to attract the tenju's attention.

They saw Eriol go for the katana that had fell from Shaoran's sash when he had been attacked by the tenju. The sword neither was used to using.

"Tomoyo, take Sakura and yourself somewhere out of harm, the staircase maybe." They his eyes went back to Shaoran who was still struggling with the tenju on the floor. Eriol pulled the sword from it's sheathe with a metallic hum. "Sakura, if you use magic it won't work, and you could kill yourself in the process."

They watched as Eriol ran to the tenju, sword raised, looking like he knew exactly what he was doing. Maybe he lied about not being able to use a sword.

The tenju hadn't seen him yet, so he had a open swing at it's back and took it. There was a shrill yelled mixed with the screech of a bird that gave off the impression Eriol had hit his mark.

If the tenju wasn't enraged before, it was now. With on solid movement, it stuck into Eriol with it's arm/wing and he went flying to the wall.

"Eriol!" Tomoyo yelled next to Sakura. They had made it to the stair case, which unfortunately had a perfect view, and it looked like the fight wasn't going so good. A second later Sakura realized Tomoyo was no longer next to her and was currently running to where Eriol had been thrown.

Sakura saw movement form the corner of her eye and now saw that Shaoran had taken the opportunity of Eriol distracting the tenju. He slashed towards it with a series of expertly placed swings, however none of them hit for the tenju had excellent reflexes, and was ably to jump and duck out of the way of each of them.

With it's last move at avoiding Shaoran's sword, The tenju had slipped right into taking an attack at Shaoran, which caught him off guard, but not completely. Shaoran was able to block the talon with is sword, but now he was being forced back on the defensive. The attacks where becoming more and more frequent and the tenju was even attacking with it's beak now. Sakura felt that if it continued like this, Shaoran would tire very soon.

Sakura winced as she saw the monster finally make a hit. and her hand grasped her arm to her. Shaoran had been attempting to block, and it unluckily had left his arm open, and the tenju made another strike, and cut into Shaoran's arm. Her arm was searing with pain as if she was the one who was cut, and she tried to ignore it. It had to just be her mind.

She was relived to see Shaoran was still standing, but he was now holding the sword with his uninjured arm. Could he fight like that?

The tenju charged forward. Shaoran tried to jump out of the way, but tripped on one of the seat cushions, and was once more on the ground. Shit. She had to do something. But what? Eriol said that using magic would be useless. It could even kill her to do so in her state. But maybe... would changing her key into a wand kill her? It seemed like to tenju's attention was automatically diverted to anything magical. Perhaps if she did so, it would be distracted to her and give Shaoran enough time to get back up and possibly even make a hit.

There was no more time to think. The tenju was just feet away from Shaoran and getting closer. She untied her necklace in one swift motion, and instantaneously began to process to change it.

"Oh key of Clow..." She began, instantly feeling weaker.

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Shaoran was on his back, arm wounded, and practically defenseless if it wasn't for his sword still being in his hands. But in his position he's be lucky to block the tenju's attack let alone attack it.

Suddenly there was a warm glowing feeling from the corner of the room, and it didn't go unnoticed by the tenju. It looked in the direction of it as well. Magic.

He looked expecting Eriol, but was surprised to see Sakura sitting on the steps of the stair way, her key out before it. What the hell was she thinking? She was too weak to use magic, and magic was practically useless against this thing anyway. If the tenju didn't kill her first she'd kill herself casting a spell. He thought he saw her eyes look to him for a second as she continued the charm for unlocking the key. Then again she looked to him, eyes pleading. Was she using magic to distract the tenju from him? The tenju was beginning to stand up strait, preparing to move towards her. Shit.

It was begging to take a step to Sakura as he began to struggle to stand up. He had to bury the pain coming from his arm as he did so. As he was lifting himself with the sword, there where soft, hurried steps coming near him, and he jerked up his head to see the source. Tomoyo was running at the tenju with the katana positioned low to her right, ready to make a blow.

A quick look at the birdman and he saw that it didn't know she was coming, but the flexing he saw in it's legs told him it was about to make a charge at Sakura. He wouldn't let it have the chance. With his unhurt arm he reached into his robes where his charms should be. Even if his clothing looked different it should only be a illusion, and not physically changed. His fingers met what he knew by the feeling o be a fire charm, and pulled it out and it immediately ignited on his will. It was a small charm, useless in combat, but magic was magic. And with magic being so close to it, the tenju couldn't possibly resist. It began to turn towards him. Good, he had it's attention again.

At the moment Tomoyo was there, and in on fluid upward movement, slashed into it side. Blood and feathers filled the air, and the tenju yelled again. It stumbled forward, and was beginning to shake. Tomoyo took another step forward, ready to attack again, but as she lifted the sword again, a bright flash came form the tenju, and in it's place was a small crow. It cawed, and shot out the door into the night before any of them could blink.

No one moved for a minute. It was sinking in that the fight was over. But would it be for long.

"Sakura!" The killer look on Tomoyo left as if a ghost that was possessing her removed itself from her. She dropped the sword which clanked on the floor as she ran to her friend's side. "You weren't supposed to use magic."

Shaoran was beginning to sand up.

"I know, but I'm ok." He heard to girl say as the dark haired one began to lift her up. "Is Eriol-san ok?"

Eriol. Shaoran turned so sharply that it hurt his arm more, but there sat Eriol with an amused look on his face. Only Eriol would find the situation amusing. Shaoran began to walk towards him and took in the scene. Eriol had been thrown against the shoji wall hard enough to break it. Eriol couldn't of gone through that and not be injured. He took a knee next to him, and at the same time both the girls plopped down to the floor near Eriol as well.

Shaoran took a glance to see how bad of a condition Sakura was in. She was still holding the Clow wand. It was stupid of her to of tried to use magic while she was so weak, even if it was to save his life. However, he was still alive, probably thanks to her, and she looked like it didn't take too much of a toll on her.

"Are you ok, Eriol?" Shaoran asked.

"I could, and have been in one word better."

"How bad?" Shaoran asked. He knew if he let him, Eriol would continue on like that, and he'd never get a strait answer out. Shaoran was currently ripping off his own bloody sleeve to make a bandage for the cut on his arm.

"I think he has at least one crack rib, and I'm pretty sure his arm is broken." Tomoyo answered for him.

"Oh the joys of a fight." Eriol began jokingly.

"Shut up. If you talk, your broken rib will hurt like hell, and may even make your injury more worse." Shaoran commanded. Eriol obeyed with a smile.

"We won't be able to leave with Eriol this badly injured, will we?" Sakura asked quietly as she handed Eriol a bowl of water that was on a table nearby. He smiled and accepted it.

Shaoran was mad at himself for almost forgetting. As they spoke Mahoutsukai could be ridding into town that very minute.

"You all go on. You have to get to the mountain, and you don't need me. Not really. I'll just stay here." Eriol announced a bit too happily before he took another painful sip of water.

"We can't leave you here all by yourself, especially injured like that. And not with Mahoutsukai coming." Sakura interjected.

"He won't be alone." Tomoyo interrupted. "I'll stay with him."

Sakura looked shocked, and not knowing what to say.

"Besides, you two don't really need me. And like you said Sakura, Eriol can't stay here alone. I'll stay and help him recover. We can find a place to hide from Mahoutsukai."

Sakura looked like she wanted to say more. Shaoran did too. Now they where loosing two members of their party.

"Your welcome to stay here." The kind old woman who owned the bar walked into the room. No telling how long she had been listing to their conversation. "I'm willingly hide you from that bastard. I'll do anything to get any type of revenge for my husband."

"You would really do that?" Tomoyo asked in what Shaoran assumed was her sweetest way. He was wondering what had happened to the woman's husband, but thought better of asking.

"Of course. I even have some hidden rooms you can stay in, or there's always a friends residence. Many people in the village despise Mahoutsukai. He has done much damage through all of Japan." No one said anything to this.

"You two have to go." Eriol finally said.

"But..." Sakura began. "How are we supposed to know what to do when we get to mount Fuji?... What is Mahoutsukai finds you here?"

Eriol smiled again. "He won't."

"How can you be sure of that?" Shaoran asked curiously, yet knowing he'd get no answer.

"I just am." Eriol replied in his 'all knowing' and not to mention 'smug' way. "And don't worry Sakura. I don't know exactly what to do on mount Fuji myself. All I can tell you is you'll know what to do when you need to." More useless advice from Eriol. Ok, maybe not completely useless. "Plus you'll have Kero, and he probably knows as much about the subject as me."

At the mention of him self, Shaoran saw Kero sleepily peek out from the giant bow on Sakura's out fit. It wouldn't of surprised him if the stuffed toy had slept through the whole fight.

"you two should take one horse. It will be harder for Mahoutsukai to distinguish your tracks if he thinks we're still all moving together." Eriol suggested seriously. And as far as Shaoran could tell, Eriol was being serious about it. Why should he purposely try to make fun of him at Sakura right now?

"Will you be here when we are done? If we comeback, will we find you here?"

Eriol looked back at Shaoran. "When you comeback, we will be here. Now I do believe it's time for you two to head off. Cerberus, take care of them."

Kero was out of the obi, and already flying out the door. Shaoran bet in 20 minutes the thing would be asleep again.

"Don't forget the Illusion card, Sakura."

Sakura's wide eyes told the she almost did forget. Joy. He wondered if she had lost any of the cards already. She began to raise the want, uncertain.

"Its aright." Eriol reassured her. "Ending the spell and having the card come back doesn't really take any magic. At least not enough to be worried about."

She nodded. "Illusion, return to thy power confined, Clow card!" After a swirl of mist that appeared around himself and Eriol went to Sakura and turned back into a card, Shaoran was happy to see he was back in his usual Chinese robes. Only his sleeve was ripped.

He caught sight f the old woman who was looking at them with wide eyes.

"Bye." Sakura said as she hugged Tomoyo goodbye. "Please be careful."

"I will. You have t promise to be careful too. Remember, we still have a lot to do. I want to be able to make the clothes of what ever children you have with some lucky man who make you happy."

"Tomoyo." Sakura nearly wined. Tomoyo smiled slyly at Shaoran, he ignored it. Did that girl try getting her friend married to every eligible bachelor she came across. Was didn't she bug Eriol about it? Scratch that. He'd get pissed if that happened., even if he didn't like to admit it, he was somewhat attracted to Sakura. Besides, he thought he had the answer concerning her leaving out Eriol. If he wasn't mistaken, during the fight he remembered seeing a very concerned Tomoyo running to his injured cousin. Maybe if he was lucky, he could use that against Eriol sometime in Eriol's little games. That is if he's ever see Eriol again.

"Are you sure you'll be alright." He asked his cousin , and what he considered to be on of his closest friends, even if he didn't like to admit it.

"Yes. Now go. I don't know how long you have."

Shaoran nodded in agreement. He stood, picked up his sword, and offered his other hand to Sakura. She still seemed to weak to walk on her own.

She nodded and took his hand, but her legs seemed to break out beneath her. She stumbled slightly, and he offered his arm to hold onto. It was either that or he would have to carry her, and he didn't think his other arm was up to that right now. She hesitated a moment before taking hold of his arm and leaning against him as they walked.

He began leading them outside to one of the horses that waited for them. He only took one look behind him only to see two cheerfully smiling people. Correction, the old woman look like she was probably smiling too. Dammit, why did they do that?

If he looked at Sakura that instant, he would of seen her face hot red at having to cling on to his bicep to walk.

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Yeah! (pats herslef on the back) I finished the chapter! Wohooo! I've goteen waaay to lazy in my writing lately. But you wanna know something? This story is almost done. I estimate 5 more chapter at the most before it's done. You wanna know a secret? I'm already planning a sequel. Man, and do I have it planned out. I've told my friends about it, and some of them can't get over it. I'm rather proud. I'll give more info on it later. For now you'll get China, and possible E+T on the side. (You should see how much reseach I'm doing on China. I know ledgens now, history, some traditions. Oh yeah, if you ever want good Chinese culture books with feminist kick, try Amy Tan. She wrote The Joy Luck Club and The Kitchen God's Wife. I liked the later best.) But it might be a couple months after this story is finished till you see the first chapter of the sequel, because I plan on going back to my badly abused baby, Small Meets Big. See, see! I plan on going back to the story! Man, I am such a dolt a updating my stories!

Oh yeah. Heres a hint on the next chapter. Hehehehe. I don't want to say too much. But, ah. Shaoran and Sakura discover a BIG hint to what happens if they are "one." And I think alot of you will be quite pleasantly pleased with it. I know I am. ^____________^

Lookie atthat. I finished the chapter here late night, and I see that it's been Christmas eve for 3 hours now. o_O Oh well, Merry Christmas agian. May peace on earth come in our life time! Oh yeah, if you ever get the chance, speak out for the Afgahn women! And all Islamic women! Equal rights between the sexes! Just because women are women, it does not mean we are property!! (snaps out of it) Hoee, how did I get on that subject? I need sleep. But YEAH! GIRL POWER! (so what if it was spice girls? you have to admit, they kicked some butt, and I'm the type of person who doesn't go wakko and has no fave band)

Please make a review! ONEGAI?!