1 Chapter 10

Syaoran sat in the tree next to Sakura's room as the sun began to set. He watched Touya, tenderly holding his sister's hand, looking extremely worried. Syaoran could not help but feel a bit guilty. The guilt gnawed at his stomach. I knew that something was wrong, he thought, tears burning in his eyes. But I didn't do anything... He bowed his head and let the tears drip down onto the branch he was sitting on. Sakura...

Suddenly he jerked his head up. Wiping his face on his sleeve, he looked around warily. It's here.

Syaoran quietly turned the black orb into his sword and sat tensely, watching, waiting. Where is it?

Syaoran suddenly felt a blast of hot air pass right next to his cheek. He scrambled to his feet, managing to stay balanced on the branch. He whirled to see what had happened.

The tree was on fire!

Syaoran spun to see the dragon hovering just a small distance away. It seemed to be taking a deep breath. Oh no, it's going to do it again! Syaoran frantically tried to think of what to do. He did the first thing that came to mind.

"Wind! Come forth!"

A blast of wind flew from his sword, swirling all around. The dragon swayed a bit in the air but was otherwise unaffected. But Syaoran realized his obvious mistake when he saw the fire spread in the tree. He had to climb down- now!

The dragon seemed to realize its opportunity. With the fire reflected in its dangerous golden eyes, it unleashed another blast of its fiery breath- below Syaoran.

He was trapped!

Syaoran squeezed his eyes shut, gripping his sword as hard as he could. What do I do? he thought desperately. It can't end this way! If I die, what will happen to Sakura?

A bright light shone around Syaoran. He felt something coming from inside him... He couldn't explain it...

Syaoran heard the window open. "HEY! What's going on?!" Touya yelled. Then- "Sakura! What are you doing?!?"

Syaoran opened his eyes... and saw Sakura standing by the window. She smiled. Syaoran sucked in his breath. What is she doing?

She closed her eyes. Her voice seemed remarkably strong. "Oh key of the star, with power burning bright, surrender the staff and shine your light! Release!" Magical wind whipped about her as the key floated, glowing, and transformed into the staff. Sakura flung a card into the air.

"I call upon the power of my star, ancient forces near and far! Clow Card, discard your former might and draw your power from my light! Star Card!" The card glowed brightly as it changed from brown and red to pink. Then Sakura continued: "Watery! Put out the fire in the tree! Watery! Release and dispel!"

The Watery spirit rose from the newly transformed card and encircled the tree. Syaoran felt the water pounding on him as it put out the fire. Finally, when he felt as if his lungs would explode for lack of air, the Watery spirit left, returning to its card form.

Syaoran realized he was hugging the tree's trunk. He let go and looked around. The dragon was gone.

He sighed, then turned back to the window. Sakura smiled, then, looking exhausted, passed out. Syaoran rushed forward through Sakura's window, but before he could reach her, Touya caught her. He picked her up and laid her back on her bed. He turned to Syaoran, who cringed, anticipating some kind of beating.

Touya stepped toward Syaoran, who suddenly realized that the normal glare was not there. "Thank you..." Touya said softly. "Thank you for protecting my sister."

"How did you..."

Touya smiled. "I just know. Now you probably have something you need to do, so I'll leave you alone." Then the glare returned as he growled, "Just don't get any ideas, okay?"

Syaoran blushed a bit and nodded nervously. Touya left the room.

Syaoran knelt next to Sakura's bed and took her hand. "Sakura..."

Kero suddenly appeared out of nowhere. "Is she okay?"

Syaoran was about to answer when he saw Sakura open her eyes.

"Syaoran..." She smiled. "Thank you."

"I'm just glad you're okay." He smiled back. "I really should be thanking you. But how..."

"I don't know," she replied, knowing his thoughts. "I suddenly woke up, feeling strong, and I knew you needed me. So I helped you. The only reason I collapsed just now was because I was tried from transforming the Watery card."

"Right when I realized I was trapped, I was standing in the tree, trying to figure out what to do. I just knew I had to protect you..." He blushed. "Then I felt something coming from inside me... I think I started to glow... And then you came..."

Sakura looked up at him in awe. "The energy I got... that made me better... came from you..."

Kero seemed thoughtful. "It has been said that, when two people are very close, especially powerful magicians, they share a special bond that is stronger than just magic. As long as their motives are unselfish, they can do almost anything together..."

Silence filled the room as Sakura and Syaoran blushed. The word "love" was stuck in Syaoran's mind. The love he felt for Sakura made it possible for him to protect her, no matter what... He smiled.

"Sakura, how are you feeling?"

She sat up cautiously. "Actually, I feel fine. I'm not even tired anymore." She smiled. "Thanks to you."

The brilliant beauty of her smile warmed his heart. Before he had a chance to think, he pulled Sakura close and hugged her. "I'm so glad," he said softly. "We were all so worried about you..."

"How did it happen?" she asked suddenly. "I mean, what made me sick?"

Syaoran released Sakura and sat next to her on her bed. "I think the dragon poisoned your food to make you more vulnerable to attack. And that's what it did just now. It attacked." His expression grew serious. "Sakura, the dragon's getting more and more bold as it gets hungrier, and the bolder it gets, the more dangerous it is." He took both her hands, staring into her brilliant emerald eyes. "You've got to be more careful than ever now."

Sakura nodded, then smiled. "I'm not worried, you know," she said. "With you looking out for me, I know I'll be safe."

Syaoran blushed deeply and smiled. "Well, I'd better get home. It's about time for dinner. You should eat." She nodded. "Call me if anything happens, okay?" She nodded again, then smiled.

"Bye, Syaoran. And thanks again!"

AS he walked out of Sakura's room toward the stairs to the front door, he heard Kero mumble something about being perfectly capable of looking out for Sakura too. He smiled a little sadly. Right now, he thought, she needs all the help she can get.

Author's Notes: I hope you all like this chapter! Thanks for all the sweet reviews! I love you all! *huggles* I don't know when the next chapter will be up. Hopefully not too long! And again, feel free to e-mail me at amber_rules@juno.com with questions, comments, or whatever. After this, I won't post my e-mail anymore, so just come back to this chapter or the last one if you want it. Thanks again for reading my fic! Ja ne!