Daphne: "Hello! I will make this short because I know that you are eager to
read the story…"
Kero: *snort* "Yah, right!"
Daphne: "Ahem?! Anyway, I just want to remind you that CCS doesn't not belong to me, it belongs to Clamp! But please R+R anyway! I would really appreciate it! Well, on with the story!"
~*~*~*~
Palace of the Wolves
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 4.
*Dream*
"…you must be joking! Please tell me you are joking!" A shaky voice begged.
"NO! I am not! It is true. You were never meant to live here in the first place you belong…" Another hissed, this voice much older.
"But…if we don't belong here, then where do we belong, Mattock?" Asked another voice, sarcastically.
"Not during this…" The voice paused. "They are coming for you!"
"What do they want us for?" Asked the first voice.
"They think we are witches, Landon! Just because of that stupid soothsayer…" The third hisses bitterly.
"She was speaking the truth! She only told what she saw!" The second voice insisted.
"Well what are we supposed to do about it now, Sorcerer Mattock?! They are going to kill us!" The third shouted.
"I can put a spell on you. The people who save you will be of the time where you belong! But they must help you willingly, and this will not be easy."
"Why?" The first asked, curious.
"Because, you will only have the power that ghosts do. No more than that. You will be at the mercy of the mortal people until…" Outside there are shouts and crashes heard. The hiss of burning torches follow and cries of "Witch" and "Killers" are heard outside the room.
"Hurry! We have no more time! We must work quickly. Go stand over there! Good, now close your eyes. This will be over before you know it!"
There is a bright flash of light, and two figures can be seen. The whole room fills with light, and when it dissipates, the room is finally visible. Two bodies are lying on the floor, lifeless, and a third figure is crouching against a wall. Suddenly, the door bursts open, and a torch is thrown inside. "Witch! Killer! Give us our children back!" Came the shouts. Many armed men enter the room and look around, spotting the lone figure. They immediately gang up on him and…
"AGHHHHHH!!!!!!" Came five simultaneous screams. Eight people sat up in their beds, horrified, and then three of them jumped out of bed and hurried into other bedrooms. Eriol hurried to Tomoyo's room, where the poor girl sat shaking violently in her bed. Touya had heard the scream in his corridor and hurried to see who it was. One of Sakura's friends, Naoko, sat in her bed, silently crying.
"Naoko…come on. We are going to make sure everyone else is all right." Touya whispered, pulling the girl out of bed and leading her into the Li's wing. Touya felt a terrified aura, and immediately made his way into Ellanora's room with Naoko on his heals. A sobbing Meiling was already there, laying beside her shaking cousin. Naoko quickly hopped into Nora's bed and pulled the covers up to her chin, cowering beside the other girls.
"Something is wrong…" Nora whispered. "They had the dream too." Touya nodded, and then felt for his sister's aura. It was strong and fearful, but another aura was there.
"Gaki…" Touya mumbled.
Sure enough, when Syaoran heard Sakura's scream, he rushed into Sakura's room, and found the girl sitting up in her bed and shaking. She turned haunted, tear-filled eyes towards him, and met his eyes.
"The voices, Syaoran! The voices!" She sobbed. He climbed up on her bed and pulled her into his arms.
"I know Sakura. I had the dream too."
"What does it mean?" She asked shakily.
"I don't know."
"They had it too. Meiling, Eriol, and Tomoyo, Touya and Ellanora and…" Sakura gave a gasp as she felt a weak, but distinct yellow aura. "Syaoran! Naoko had the dream too! How could she…" Sakura wondered out-loud.
"I have a feeling that this is going to involve her too, whether we want her or not. She must have some important purpose in this…" He mussed.
"But what is 'this', exactly? What are we facing? I don't feel any evil…only sorrow." Sakura said, snuggling deeper into his arms.
"I do too. I…I have felt it before, once when I was little. It reminds me of something…" He stopped as Eriol led a terrified Tomoyo into the room, by way of the bathroom.
"Sakura…can we stay in here, tonight?" Tomoyo pleaded, tears still falling down her face. Sakura nodded, and watched as Touya, Ellanora, Meiling and Naoko entered the room as well.
"I guess we are going to have a party, then." Syaoran said, as Nora and Naoko crawled in between Sakura and Tomoyo. The bed was so big, that it fit all six of them across it. Syaoran and Eriol, who were on the edges of the bed, pulled the blankets of Sakura's bed over them all. Touya grabbed an extra blanket and settled down at their feet.
"I think that I will sleep in my own room, tonight." Meiling said shakily, and walked out of the room. She had realized that the only clear spot on the bed was next to Touya. They all watched her leave, and then tried to go to bed. It took them all quite a while to fall to sleep, and when they finally did, it was a very uneasy sleep.
~*~*~*~
"They had the dream…now what?" Asked figure number one.
"Now, we begin to show ourselves to them, a little at a time. First little flashes at the corners of their eyes, and then small glimpses, and then we will completely reveal ourselves and hope for the best." The second said.
"I don't want to scare them again. I hate doing that."
"You are so dull, Landon! We have to get through to them."
"Yes, but why not just one of them?"
"That was the plan…I don't know why it didn't work. Instead of one, we got eight, but I suppose that is better."
"Tryon, you really are mental! How can we take seven people back in time…?"
"We will manage." The second stated. The first gave a disgusted sigh and then they vanished.
~*~*~*~
Sakura woke up the next morning with Syaoran's protective arm around her waist. Nora's head was on Sakura's shoulder, and when Sakura shifted, the other girl woke up.
"It was real." Nora whispered, as though she still couldn't believe it.
"What do you think it meant? I know that it was trying to tell us something important, and even Naoko had the dream." Sakura whispered back. Nora nodded.
"Are you going to tell your other friends about you being the Cards Mistress?"
"I really don't know. Naoko at least, will need to know, if this progresses any further. She is part of this now, whether she likes it or not." Sakura answered.
"We may need her help in the long run, and it will be nice to have her with us…" Nora mussed.
~*~*~*~
*Naoko's POV*
I woke up when I felt Ellanora stir beside me. Keeping my eyes silted, I peeked out at her. Nora had her back to me, and she was talking with Sakura, who was up, surprisingly enough.
"…even Naoko had the dream." Sakura was saying. Ellanora nodded.
"Are you going to tell your other friends about you being the Cards Mistress?" She asked. I felt stunned. Sakura rarely ever kept secrets from her friends…and what was the 'Cards Mistress'?
"…She is part of this now, whether she likes it or not." Sakura finished. After those words, I heard no more. Sakura had said that I, Naoko the Loner, was one of them! What the group was based around, I had no idea, but it didn't matter. I was one of them!
~*~*~*~
*Normal POV*
Nora felt Naoko stir beside her, and she and Sakura smiled at the girl.
"Good Morning!" The three girls said in unison. Then they fell into planning their day. Syaoran woke up soon after that, and instinctively tightened his hold on Sakura.
"Are you all right?" He asked softly in her ear. She gave a delighted shudder and nodded. Her eyes then shifted down to Touya, who was watching the couple with a small smile on his face. Sakura looked at him in surprise, but her just shook his head and looked away.
"OH NO! Syaoran, we have training!" Nora cried, crawling over Sakura and Syaoran and jumping off the bed. It was quite early, only about six 'o' clock. Syaoran sent his sister an alarmed look, and then pulled away from Sakura. The brother and sister raced out of the room, only to come back minutes later in their battle costumes. Syaoran was in his usual family robes, and Sakura looked at him proudly. Ellanora was in a costume similar to Meiling's, (a/n: You know, long scoop sleeves and thigh-high skirt), except Nora's was green. Suddenly, Meiling burst into the room.
"Hurry! We are going to be late…" Meiling trailed off, and a blush colored her cheeks when she caught sight of Touya. He grinned at her, and started to leave the room.
"Nice costumes." He commented, and then disappeared to his own room.
"I have to speak with Yelan. I will catch up with you later." Eriol called over his shoulder as he too, left the room. Nora looked at Sakura, Naoko and Tomoyo.
"Would you like to join us at the training grounds?" She asked. Sakura nodded and Tomoyo gave a squeal.
"Goody! Something for me to tape!" She shrilled. Sakura sweat dropped, but then she got an idea.
"Tomoyo, come into the bathroom with me for a minute." Sakura called. A few moments later, she and Tomoyo came out, dressed appropriately. Sakura was in a battle uniform identical to Nora's except it was pink. Tomoyo was dressed in a purple dress, similar to the one that Nora had worn the day before. Sakura held a similar dress out to Naoko and smiled.
"This one is for you. Hurry and put it on!" Naoko hurried into the bathroom with the yellow dress.
"I used the Create Card." Sakura explained to the others. When Naoko finished changing, the six friends headed down to the training grounds.
"Take this camera and catch as much footage as you possibly can." Tomoyo instructed Naoko, handing her an extra camcorder. Naoko nodded, and then the two girls ran to catch up with the rest.
~*~*~*~
"Sakura, you were so KAWAII!" Tomoyo cried, running up to her sweaty friend.
"Thanks…that was fun…" Sakura panted. She had been fighting against Nora, who was a surprisingly good opponent.
"You were…good Sakura!" Nora complimented her. Soon, Syaoran came up beside the five girls and shot Sakura a gentle smile.
"A cold shower will help with the cramps, Sakura." He said, helpfully. She shot him a grateful smile and allowed herself to be led away to a small bathing house by Meiling and Nora. When they were through with their showers, they dressed into dresses just like Tomoyo's and Naoko's. Sakura's was light pink, Meiling's was wine-red, and Ellanora's was celestial blue. They met Naoko and Tomoyo outside the bathhouse, and then continued on to meet Syaoran by the entrance to the Dinning Hall. His hair was still wet, and his cheeks were flushed pink from the warm water. He was wearing a Chinese-style, high necked, black-silk shirt, with black-silk pants to match. He looked incredibly handsome, and even a bit dangerous. Sakura gave a delighted shudder when she caught sight of him. She shot her a smile, and then, as an afterthought, put his arm around her waist.
As the group walked in, everyone looked up and gaped.
~*~*~*~
*Sakura's class's reactions*
'Wow! Who'd of thought that Naoko could look like that?' Chiharu thought.
'I've never seen Syaoran wear clothes that formal! By the way, I wonder if they know that formal wear originated in…' Yamazaki started.
'I wonder if I can get Tomoyo-chan to make my bridesmaids gowns in that style…' Rika wondered.
'Rika would look good in one of those!' Terada thought.
'Late as usual, but my, Daidouji-san is looking lovely this morning…Wait! What the heck are you thinking, Eriol?!" Eriol chided himself, feeling a blush steal up his face.
'Boy! Meiling sure has changed since I last saw her in Japan! She has gotten so much more woman-like…" Touya thought. (a/n: I know that he is not a classmate, but I just had to put him in!!!)
Needless to say, everyone else in the class was speechless.
~*~*~*~
*Normal POV*
"Welcome back, children. Did the training go well?" Yelan asked, standing up.
"Mama! I fought Sakura, and she was wonderful! You should have seen her!" Nora cried, bouncing into her seat. Yelan smiled at her youngest daughter.
"Was she now? Well, I congratulate you, Sakura. Now, we have a busy day planned for you. My children, as you know, are home-schooled here in China, so you will be as well. Terada Sensei will teach you your basic lessons, but you will have private tutors for the rest of your lessons." Yelan said. Everyone nodded. As soon as breakfast was done, they headed off for their first class. The six young people who had gone to the training grounds did take a short detour to change into their school clothes, though.
~*~*~*~
"…So then I called Syaoran and told him that he had better *not* come back, or else I would kick his butt to kingdom come!" Ellanora said, glaring at her brother a few hours later, while the others laughed. He glared at her. They were out in the gardens, and Nora was telling them about a phone call that she had gotten from Syaoran a few months ago.
"It was our Birthday, for heaven's sake! The least I could do was visit you!" He snapped. Sakura smiled.
"But then you wouldn't have been there for your party!" She reminded him, gently hugging him around the waist. "And you wouldn't have wanted to disappoint me, now would you?" She asked cheekily. He sent her a guilty smile.
"I suppose not…" He whispered, returning her hug. Naoko and Tomoyo elbowed each other, and Nora, Meiling and Eriol smiled knowingly at the couple.
"Hey I have an idea. Syaoran, you said that you used to pretend that there were ghosts in this castle, right?" Nora asked. Sakura gave a sharp gasp and buried her head in Syaoran's chest. Syaoran nodded, but shot his sister a glare.
"Good! But why did you?" She asked slowly, as though she was getting an idea. He shrugged.
"I don't know. I guess I used to believe that they really *were* there, but now I know that it isn't true." At his words, Tomoyo jumped.
"Wait! Wait just a minute! I think I understand where Nora is going! We all had the dream, but Naoko and I don't have magic, and Touya supposedly gave all of his to Yue!" Tomoyo cried, as if this explained everything. Naoko frowned in confusion.
"Magic?! Who has magic?" She asked, looking eagerly around. Tomoyo's eyes widened and she clapped her hand over her mouth when she realized what she had just revealed. Eriol groaned.
"I'll explain. You see, Naoko, Sakura owns a special deck of cards called the 'Sakura Cards'. Each of the cards confines a powerful magical force, such as weather, wind, elements or flying. There are two 'Guardians' protecting the cards. Their names are Cerberus and Yue. The cards and the guardians were all created by a man named Clow Reed. I am the reincarnation of this man. Syaoran has grown up around magic, and even has some of his own. Touya, Sakura's brother, used to have magic, which we thought that he gave it away to one of Sakura's guardians, Yue. It seems that it wasn't all given away, though." Eriol finished. Naoko frowned.
"But what about Meiling, Tomoyo and Ellanora?" She asked.
"Well, Meiling grew up training with Syaoran, so she knows all about magic. Tomoyo found out about Sakura accidentally, when she taped Sakura flying with the 'Fly Card'. After that, she taped almost every capture that Sakura made. And Ellanora…" Eriol stopped, and looked at the girl. Nora smiled and stood up.
"I have a very different power that anyone else. I don't usually show it…" She said hesitantly, looking at Eriol.
"She hasn't even told me what it is, and I am her twin brother!" Syaoran said, frowning at his sister.
"How come Eriol seems to know, then?" Naoko asked. Eriol grinned at her.
"Because I am the reincarnation of the most powerful wizard in the world! Plus, I can read minds." He explained. Nora finally nodded, and looked away.
"Fine. I will show you…" She said. She closed her eyes in concentration, and then held out her hand. She pointed at the ground and then slowly curled her finger back towards her hand, in a beckoning motion. Suddenly, a small, delicate vine popped out of the earth and twined itself around the girl's outstretched wrist. With her other hand, she gently ran her fingers down the length of the vine and tiny blue flowers sprouted where she had touched. She opened her eyes and smiled. Everyone except Eriol watched her in shock. She sent them a shy smile.
"Watch." She commanded. Then she closed her eyes again and sat silently, not moving, or doing anything. They waited for a few seconds, and then the group started to get antsy. Suddenly, Tomoyo let out a tiny shriek.
"Kawaii!" She cried, taking out her camera and pointing it at something. The others looked over to see what she was doing, and then they all gasped. On the path next to Nora sat a fluffy snow-white rabbit, and five tiny balls of fluff.
"A rabbit and her babies!" Tomoyo whispered, looking awed. Nora grinned.
"Everyone, I would like to introduce you to Blueberry and her five babies. They were only born a few weeks ago." She said softly, gently patting the mother rabbit. It looked up at her with trusting eyes, and then looked around at the group.
I am pleased to meet all of you! Came a sweet voice in their heads. Eriol grinned.
"It is nice to meet you too, Blueberry!" He laughed.
"Nor…Nora, how did you do that?" Sakura stuttered, looking at the rabbits fearfully. Ellanora grinned.
"Oh, that is my other power. I can communicate with animals." She said. "I talk to them, and they talk back. I can also transfer what they are saying, to other people." Nora explained.
"Like you just did. But I still don't understand something! What does magic have to do with having these dreams?" Naoko asked, looking confused. Nora grinned at Tomoyo who looked back with a growing smile on her face.
"It doesn't! That is the whole point! Syaoran, you have the training to sense ghosts, but you haven't sensed any lately, have you?" Nora asked. Syaoran shook his head.
"Then there are no ghosts here…but there is something that is definitely in that same category! Remember the dream?" Tomoyo asked, excitedly. Everyone nodded.
"The man did something to those boys…not a bad something, but something that would help them. The question is…what was it?" Nora asked. No one had an answer to that.
"I think that the best thing that we can do, is to search the castle for some clues. There has to be something, one or all of us saw, that sparked off the dream, but what was it, and where is it now?" Tomoyo asked.
"Syaoran, when you used to pretend that there were ghosts, where did you usually pretend it?" Sakura asked, her eyes suddenly lighting up. Syaoran caught onto what she was saying.
"Normally, it was in the third-floor somewhere." He answered. Sakura smiled bravely, but her mouth quivered a bit.
"Then that is where we will start." She said. With a united nod, the group of people went back inside to find Touya.
~*~*~*~
"This is different. They are smarter than I thought." Stated a white figure, looking out an up-stairs window at the group down below.
"Then are we changing the plans?" Asked the other hopefully, collapsing down onto a chair. The first shook its head.
"Not really, Landon. I think the only thing that we will change is how we show ourselves. I know for a fact that they will split up into groups. The first group that comes in here, will be the lucky winners. I will decide then whether or not the others will see us." The first answered. The second frowned.
"You are so lucky that you are older, Tryon, or else I would whip you right here and now!" It hissed. The first simply chuckled.
~*~*~*~
D.L:
Daphne: "Did you like it? I tried not to make it confusing, but…I suppose it is anyway. Don't worry, though. Most of the story will be explained in the next chapter, (I hope!) So hold your horses."
Kero: "What if they don't have horses, though?"
Daphne: *Sweat drop* "It is an expression, Kero!"
Kero: "Oh…Ok then!"
Daphne: "Anyway, please R+R! I really want to know what you think about the story! Thanks!"
Kero: *snort* "Yah, right!"
Daphne: "Ahem?! Anyway, I just want to remind you that CCS doesn't not belong to me, it belongs to Clamp! But please R+R anyway! I would really appreciate it! Well, on with the story!"
~*~*~*~
Palace of the Wolves
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 4.
*Dream*
"…you must be joking! Please tell me you are joking!" A shaky voice begged.
"NO! I am not! It is true. You were never meant to live here in the first place you belong…" Another hissed, this voice much older.
"But…if we don't belong here, then where do we belong, Mattock?" Asked another voice, sarcastically.
"Not during this…" The voice paused. "They are coming for you!"
"What do they want us for?" Asked the first voice.
"They think we are witches, Landon! Just because of that stupid soothsayer…" The third hisses bitterly.
"She was speaking the truth! She only told what she saw!" The second voice insisted.
"Well what are we supposed to do about it now, Sorcerer Mattock?! They are going to kill us!" The third shouted.
"I can put a spell on you. The people who save you will be of the time where you belong! But they must help you willingly, and this will not be easy."
"Why?" The first asked, curious.
"Because, you will only have the power that ghosts do. No more than that. You will be at the mercy of the mortal people until…" Outside there are shouts and crashes heard. The hiss of burning torches follow and cries of "Witch" and "Killers" are heard outside the room.
"Hurry! We have no more time! We must work quickly. Go stand over there! Good, now close your eyes. This will be over before you know it!"
There is a bright flash of light, and two figures can be seen. The whole room fills with light, and when it dissipates, the room is finally visible. Two bodies are lying on the floor, lifeless, and a third figure is crouching against a wall. Suddenly, the door bursts open, and a torch is thrown inside. "Witch! Killer! Give us our children back!" Came the shouts. Many armed men enter the room and look around, spotting the lone figure. They immediately gang up on him and…
"AGHHHHHH!!!!!!" Came five simultaneous screams. Eight people sat up in their beds, horrified, and then three of them jumped out of bed and hurried into other bedrooms. Eriol hurried to Tomoyo's room, where the poor girl sat shaking violently in her bed. Touya had heard the scream in his corridor and hurried to see who it was. One of Sakura's friends, Naoko, sat in her bed, silently crying.
"Naoko…come on. We are going to make sure everyone else is all right." Touya whispered, pulling the girl out of bed and leading her into the Li's wing. Touya felt a terrified aura, and immediately made his way into Ellanora's room with Naoko on his heals. A sobbing Meiling was already there, laying beside her shaking cousin. Naoko quickly hopped into Nora's bed and pulled the covers up to her chin, cowering beside the other girls.
"Something is wrong…" Nora whispered. "They had the dream too." Touya nodded, and then felt for his sister's aura. It was strong and fearful, but another aura was there.
"Gaki…" Touya mumbled.
Sure enough, when Syaoran heard Sakura's scream, he rushed into Sakura's room, and found the girl sitting up in her bed and shaking. She turned haunted, tear-filled eyes towards him, and met his eyes.
"The voices, Syaoran! The voices!" She sobbed. He climbed up on her bed and pulled her into his arms.
"I know Sakura. I had the dream too."
"What does it mean?" She asked shakily.
"I don't know."
"They had it too. Meiling, Eriol, and Tomoyo, Touya and Ellanora and…" Sakura gave a gasp as she felt a weak, but distinct yellow aura. "Syaoran! Naoko had the dream too! How could she…" Sakura wondered out-loud.
"I have a feeling that this is going to involve her too, whether we want her or not. She must have some important purpose in this…" He mussed.
"But what is 'this', exactly? What are we facing? I don't feel any evil…only sorrow." Sakura said, snuggling deeper into his arms.
"I do too. I…I have felt it before, once when I was little. It reminds me of something…" He stopped as Eriol led a terrified Tomoyo into the room, by way of the bathroom.
"Sakura…can we stay in here, tonight?" Tomoyo pleaded, tears still falling down her face. Sakura nodded, and watched as Touya, Ellanora, Meiling and Naoko entered the room as well.
"I guess we are going to have a party, then." Syaoran said, as Nora and Naoko crawled in between Sakura and Tomoyo. The bed was so big, that it fit all six of them across it. Syaoran and Eriol, who were on the edges of the bed, pulled the blankets of Sakura's bed over them all. Touya grabbed an extra blanket and settled down at their feet.
"I think that I will sleep in my own room, tonight." Meiling said shakily, and walked out of the room. She had realized that the only clear spot on the bed was next to Touya. They all watched her leave, and then tried to go to bed. It took them all quite a while to fall to sleep, and when they finally did, it was a very uneasy sleep.
~*~*~*~
"They had the dream…now what?" Asked figure number one.
"Now, we begin to show ourselves to them, a little at a time. First little flashes at the corners of their eyes, and then small glimpses, and then we will completely reveal ourselves and hope for the best." The second said.
"I don't want to scare them again. I hate doing that."
"You are so dull, Landon! We have to get through to them."
"Yes, but why not just one of them?"
"That was the plan…I don't know why it didn't work. Instead of one, we got eight, but I suppose that is better."
"Tryon, you really are mental! How can we take seven people back in time…?"
"We will manage." The second stated. The first gave a disgusted sigh and then they vanished.
~*~*~*~
Sakura woke up the next morning with Syaoran's protective arm around her waist. Nora's head was on Sakura's shoulder, and when Sakura shifted, the other girl woke up.
"It was real." Nora whispered, as though she still couldn't believe it.
"What do you think it meant? I know that it was trying to tell us something important, and even Naoko had the dream." Sakura whispered back. Nora nodded.
"Are you going to tell your other friends about you being the Cards Mistress?"
"I really don't know. Naoko at least, will need to know, if this progresses any further. She is part of this now, whether she likes it or not." Sakura answered.
"We may need her help in the long run, and it will be nice to have her with us…" Nora mussed.
~*~*~*~
*Naoko's POV*
I woke up when I felt Ellanora stir beside me. Keeping my eyes silted, I peeked out at her. Nora had her back to me, and she was talking with Sakura, who was up, surprisingly enough.
"…even Naoko had the dream." Sakura was saying. Ellanora nodded.
"Are you going to tell your other friends about you being the Cards Mistress?" She asked. I felt stunned. Sakura rarely ever kept secrets from her friends…and what was the 'Cards Mistress'?
"…She is part of this now, whether she likes it or not." Sakura finished. After those words, I heard no more. Sakura had said that I, Naoko the Loner, was one of them! What the group was based around, I had no idea, but it didn't matter. I was one of them!
~*~*~*~
*Normal POV*
Nora felt Naoko stir beside her, and she and Sakura smiled at the girl.
"Good Morning!" The three girls said in unison. Then they fell into planning their day. Syaoran woke up soon after that, and instinctively tightened his hold on Sakura.
"Are you all right?" He asked softly in her ear. She gave a delighted shudder and nodded. Her eyes then shifted down to Touya, who was watching the couple with a small smile on his face. Sakura looked at him in surprise, but her just shook his head and looked away.
"OH NO! Syaoran, we have training!" Nora cried, crawling over Sakura and Syaoran and jumping off the bed. It was quite early, only about six 'o' clock. Syaoran sent his sister an alarmed look, and then pulled away from Sakura. The brother and sister raced out of the room, only to come back minutes later in their battle costumes. Syaoran was in his usual family robes, and Sakura looked at him proudly. Ellanora was in a costume similar to Meiling's, (a/n: You know, long scoop sleeves and thigh-high skirt), except Nora's was green. Suddenly, Meiling burst into the room.
"Hurry! We are going to be late…" Meiling trailed off, and a blush colored her cheeks when she caught sight of Touya. He grinned at her, and started to leave the room.
"Nice costumes." He commented, and then disappeared to his own room.
"I have to speak with Yelan. I will catch up with you later." Eriol called over his shoulder as he too, left the room. Nora looked at Sakura, Naoko and Tomoyo.
"Would you like to join us at the training grounds?" She asked. Sakura nodded and Tomoyo gave a squeal.
"Goody! Something for me to tape!" She shrilled. Sakura sweat dropped, but then she got an idea.
"Tomoyo, come into the bathroom with me for a minute." Sakura called. A few moments later, she and Tomoyo came out, dressed appropriately. Sakura was in a battle uniform identical to Nora's except it was pink. Tomoyo was dressed in a purple dress, similar to the one that Nora had worn the day before. Sakura held a similar dress out to Naoko and smiled.
"This one is for you. Hurry and put it on!" Naoko hurried into the bathroom with the yellow dress.
"I used the Create Card." Sakura explained to the others. When Naoko finished changing, the six friends headed down to the training grounds.
"Take this camera and catch as much footage as you possibly can." Tomoyo instructed Naoko, handing her an extra camcorder. Naoko nodded, and then the two girls ran to catch up with the rest.
~*~*~*~
"Sakura, you were so KAWAII!" Tomoyo cried, running up to her sweaty friend.
"Thanks…that was fun…" Sakura panted. She had been fighting against Nora, who was a surprisingly good opponent.
"You were…good Sakura!" Nora complimented her. Soon, Syaoran came up beside the five girls and shot Sakura a gentle smile.
"A cold shower will help with the cramps, Sakura." He said, helpfully. She shot him a grateful smile and allowed herself to be led away to a small bathing house by Meiling and Nora. When they were through with their showers, they dressed into dresses just like Tomoyo's and Naoko's. Sakura's was light pink, Meiling's was wine-red, and Ellanora's was celestial blue. They met Naoko and Tomoyo outside the bathhouse, and then continued on to meet Syaoran by the entrance to the Dinning Hall. His hair was still wet, and his cheeks were flushed pink from the warm water. He was wearing a Chinese-style, high necked, black-silk shirt, with black-silk pants to match. He looked incredibly handsome, and even a bit dangerous. Sakura gave a delighted shudder when she caught sight of him. She shot her a smile, and then, as an afterthought, put his arm around her waist.
As the group walked in, everyone looked up and gaped.
~*~*~*~
*Sakura's class's reactions*
'Wow! Who'd of thought that Naoko could look like that?' Chiharu thought.
'I've never seen Syaoran wear clothes that formal! By the way, I wonder if they know that formal wear originated in…' Yamazaki started.
'I wonder if I can get Tomoyo-chan to make my bridesmaids gowns in that style…' Rika wondered.
'Rika would look good in one of those!' Terada thought.
'Late as usual, but my, Daidouji-san is looking lovely this morning…Wait! What the heck are you thinking, Eriol?!" Eriol chided himself, feeling a blush steal up his face.
'Boy! Meiling sure has changed since I last saw her in Japan! She has gotten so much more woman-like…" Touya thought. (a/n: I know that he is not a classmate, but I just had to put him in!!!)
Needless to say, everyone else in the class was speechless.
~*~*~*~
*Normal POV*
"Welcome back, children. Did the training go well?" Yelan asked, standing up.
"Mama! I fought Sakura, and she was wonderful! You should have seen her!" Nora cried, bouncing into her seat. Yelan smiled at her youngest daughter.
"Was she now? Well, I congratulate you, Sakura. Now, we have a busy day planned for you. My children, as you know, are home-schooled here in China, so you will be as well. Terada Sensei will teach you your basic lessons, but you will have private tutors for the rest of your lessons." Yelan said. Everyone nodded. As soon as breakfast was done, they headed off for their first class. The six young people who had gone to the training grounds did take a short detour to change into their school clothes, though.
~*~*~*~
"…So then I called Syaoran and told him that he had better *not* come back, or else I would kick his butt to kingdom come!" Ellanora said, glaring at her brother a few hours later, while the others laughed. He glared at her. They were out in the gardens, and Nora was telling them about a phone call that she had gotten from Syaoran a few months ago.
"It was our Birthday, for heaven's sake! The least I could do was visit you!" He snapped. Sakura smiled.
"But then you wouldn't have been there for your party!" She reminded him, gently hugging him around the waist. "And you wouldn't have wanted to disappoint me, now would you?" She asked cheekily. He sent her a guilty smile.
"I suppose not…" He whispered, returning her hug. Naoko and Tomoyo elbowed each other, and Nora, Meiling and Eriol smiled knowingly at the couple.
"Hey I have an idea. Syaoran, you said that you used to pretend that there were ghosts in this castle, right?" Nora asked. Sakura gave a sharp gasp and buried her head in Syaoran's chest. Syaoran nodded, but shot his sister a glare.
"Good! But why did you?" She asked slowly, as though she was getting an idea. He shrugged.
"I don't know. I guess I used to believe that they really *were* there, but now I know that it isn't true." At his words, Tomoyo jumped.
"Wait! Wait just a minute! I think I understand where Nora is going! We all had the dream, but Naoko and I don't have magic, and Touya supposedly gave all of his to Yue!" Tomoyo cried, as if this explained everything. Naoko frowned in confusion.
"Magic?! Who has magic?" She asked, looking eagerly around. Tomoyo's eyes widened and she clapped her hand over her mouth when she realized what she had just revealed. Eriol groaned.
"I'll explain. You see, Naoko, Sakura owns a special deck of cards called the 'Sakura Cards'. Each of the cards confines a powerful magical force, such as weather, wind, elements or flying. There are two 'Guardians' protecting the cards. Their names are Cerberus and Yue. The cards and the guardians were all created by a man named Clow Reed. I am the reincarnation of this man. Syaoran has grown up around magic, and even has some of his own. Touya, Sakura's brother, used to have magic, which we thought that he gave it away to one of Sakura's guardians, Yue. It seems that it wasn't all given away, though." Eriol finished. Naoko frowned.
"But what about Meiling, Tomoyo and Ellanora?" She asked.
"Well, Meiling grew up training with Syaoran, so she knows all about magic. Tomoyo found out about Sakura accidentally, when she taped Sakura flying with the 'Fly Card'. After that, she taped almost every capture that Sakura made. And Ellanora…" Eriol stopped, and looked at the girl. Nora smiled and stood up.
"I have a very different power that anyone else. I don't usually show it…" She said hesitantly, looking at Eriol.
"She hasn't even told me what it is, and I am her twin brother!" Syaoran said, frowning at his sister.
"How come Eriol seems to know, then?" Naoko asked. Eriol grinned at her.
"Because I am the reincarnation of the most powerful wizard in the world! Plus, I can read minds." He explained. Nora finally nodded, and looked away.
"Fine. I will show you…" She said. She closed her eyes in concentration, and then held out her hand. She pointed at the ground and then slowly curled her finger back towards her hand, in a beckoning motion. Suddenly, a small, delicate vine popped out of the earth and twined itself around the girl's outstretched wrist. With her other hand, she gently ran her fingers down the length of the vine and tiny blue flowers sprouted where she had touched. She opened her eyes and smiled. Everyone except Eriol watched her in shock. She sent them a shy smile.
"Watch." She commanded. Then she closed her eyes again and sat silently, not moving, or doing anything. They waited for a few seconds, and then the group started to get antsy. Suddenly, Tomoyo let out a tiny shriek.
"Kawaii!" She cried, taking out her camera and pointing it at something. The others looked over to see what she was doing, and then they all gasped. On the path next to Nora sat a fluffy snow-white rabbit, and five tiny balls of fluff.
"A rabbit and her babies!" Tomoyo whispered, looking awed. Nora grinned.
"Everyone, I would like to introduce you to Blueberry and her five babies. They were only born a few weeks ago." She said softly, gently patting the mother rabbit. It looked up at her with trusting eyes, and then looked around at the group.
I am pleased to meet all of you! Came a sweet voice in their heads. Eriol grinned.
"It is nice to meet you too, Blueberry!" He laughed.
"Nor…Nora, how did you do that?" Sakura stuttered, looking at the rabbits fearfully. Ellanora grinned.
"Oh, that is my other power. I can communicate with animals." She said. "I talk to them, and they talk back. I can also transfer what they are saying, to other people." Nora explained.
"Like you just did. But I still don't understand something! What does magic have to do with having these dreams?" Naoko asked, looking confused. Nora grinned at Tomoyo who looked back with a growing smile on her face.
"It doesn't! That is the whole point! Syaoran, you have the training to sense ghosts, but you haven't sensed any lately, have you?" Nora asked. Syaoran shook his head.
"Then there are no ghosts here…but there is something that is definitely in that same category! Remember the dream?" Tomoyo asked, excitedly. Everyone nodded.
"The man did something to those boys…not a bad something, but something that would help them. The question is…what was it?" Nora asked. No one had an answer to that.
"I think that the best thing that we can do, is to search the castle for some clues. There has to be something, one or all of us saw, that sparked off the dream, but what was it, and where is it now?" Tomoyo asked.
"Syaoran, when you used to pretend that there were ghosts, where did you usually pretend it?" Sakura asked, her eyes suddenly lighting up. Syaoran caught onto what she was saying.
"Normally, it was in the third-floor somewhere." He answered. Sakura smiled bravely, but her mouth quivered a bit.
"Then that is where we will start." She said. With a united nod, the group of people went back inside to find Touya.
~*~*~*~
"This is different. They are smarter than I thought." Stated a white figure, looking out an up-stairs window at the group down below.
"Then are we changing the plans?" Asked the other hopefully, collapsing down onto a chair. The first shook its head.
"Not really, Landon. I think the only thing that we will change is how we show ourselves. I know for a fact that they will split up into groups. The first group that comes in here, will be the lucky winners. I will decide then whether or not the others will see us." The first answered. The second frowned.
"You are so lucky that you are older, Tryon, or else I would whip you right here and now!" It hissed. The first simply chuckled.
~*~*~*~
D.L:
Daphne: "Did you like it? I tried not to make it confusing, but…I suppose it is anyway. Don't worry, though. Most of the story will be explained in the next chapter, (I hope!) So hold your horses."
Kero: "What if they don't have horses, though?"
Daphne: *Sweat drop* "It is an expression, Kero!"
Kero: "Oh…Ok then!"
Daphne: "Anyway, please R+R! I really want to know what you think about the story! Thanks!"