Suppi: Fruity where are you

Fruity: Panting came up with a bunch of papers

Suppi: What is that?

Fruity: My new plans for my next chapter

Suppi: Is all that necessary.

Fruity: Well duh* I mean this is going to be a long chapter

Suppi: Groan another long chapter

Fruity: Smiling. Yep the longest chapter ever!!!!

Suppi: Are you trying to kill my eyes?

Chapter Eight

Waiting for a sign

Shoaran was busy in the middle of one of those boring meetings with the council, when he felt it. A deep pain within his chest, as though a part of him was being torn apart. Involuntary, he flinched; it felt as though his entire body was on fire.

"Are you alright Master Li?" One of the council members asked as he saw Shoaran's reaction.

"Yes. I am fine," his voice was icy as his stare; he hated every one of them and vowed never to ever forgive them.

However his mind was focussed on the sudden pain within his heart, the only way he could have felt it was if someone close to him was suffering in some way.

Yet he knew that there was no one who he cared about deeply who was suffering.

His mother, sisters, and Meiling were safe at home.

No…

It wasn't them who were suffering, it was someone else.

Shoaran's eye's widened in alarm; unintentionally he leapt out of his chair, and dashed out of the meeting chamber.

Sakura

Police were at the destruction site almost immediately. The remains of what was once the crazy house of mirrors, now laid shattered and smoked on the floor. Tomoyo's face held no feeling, for there was too many emotions she was feeling to be shown in one reaction.

Despair,

Fear,

Anger,

Love,

Sadness,

Everyone who had saw it fall felt all of these things. Eriol embraced Tomoyo tightly as though he felt that if he didn't hold onto Tomoyo, she too, like Sakura, would drift off into space. A single tear dripped down Yue's face, while Rubi for the first time was speechless. Suppi and Kero, just stared, still unable to comprehend how this could have happened. After a while, police were able to recover Sakura's body; it was barely able beyond recognition. Half her face was scarred by what appeared to be a burn, blood was everywhere, and she must have broken at least two bones. Tomoyo screamed at the site of her, not the scream of fear, but the one that was filled with grief.

"She's still alive," one of the paramedics announced.

Tomoyo looked up hopeful from Eriol's shoulder, while they rushed her best friend to hospital, where perhaps if lucky they could save her life.

Eriol hated hospitals, apart from the smell, it always had an errie feeling; hospitals afterall were places where some people died in. He shivered coldly as he caught a glimpse of a stony spirit floating through the walls. Only he and Shoaran had this gift, and it was a gift that he wouldn't share with anyone. Eriol changed his view to Tomoyo, whose eyes were red, clearly from the extensive crying she'd done.

"SAKURA!" Yuki and Rubi's head turned in the direction where the voice had come from. Touya rushed out of the elevator to greet Yuki, while ignoring Rubi. Pouting, Rubi stomped off angrily.

"Oh Mr. Kinomoto," Tomoyo had never seen Fujitaki so worn out with worry. Eriol gazed curiously at his other half.

The doctor finally approached the group, who had yearned for news of Sakura. He sighed, "The good news is that Sakura has had very little injuries as what was expected, only a broken leg, and three rib cages. She isn't going to die,"

Touya, who had been holding his breath, let it all out, relieved.

The doctor managed to force a smile. "However her face I am afraid, her face is scarred permanently. I could talk to you about considering plastic surgery, for her treatment, but I am afraid that the scar is beyond our science."

Tomoyo gasped Not Sakura's face; it was one of her finer physical features points

Touya looked away ashamed " How's Sakura going to handle this."

Fujitaki's face was blank, "Doctor, could we perhaps see her,"

"Why sure,"

The group was about to head down the hall for room G-91 when the doctor spoke

"Oh yes,"

The group turned around

"Do any of you happen to know exactly what happened in the amusement park,"

Eriol, Tomoyo, Yuki and Rubi sadly shook their head. Who would've believed that a demon had burnt Sakura's face?

"Sakura!" Tomoyo rushed towards Sakura's side. Fujitaki gazed sorrowful at this daughter who was sleeping like an angel on a soft hospital bed. He gazed at the table beside her, where he placed a vase filled with Cherry Blossoms.

"Sweet like your name," he replied in a paternal tone, as he kissed his daughter's forehead.

Touya held her hand while gazing pitifully at her face, which was covered by a gigantic patch on the right side.

" You know squirt if anyone's tells you that you're ugly, you tell me and I'll just beat them to a pulp. You got that."

He got no response from Sakura, just the rhythmic steady beating of her breathing and beeping on the heart monitor.

Eriol, stared regrettably at Sakura, secretly he was having a mind-conversation with Suppi and Rubi

"Rubi,"

Rubi tore her gaze from Sakura to her master

"Have you found out who did this," Eriol's voice was filled with revenge. Nobody ever hurt his dear friend and half daughter.

"Sorry Master,"

Suppi jumped into the conversation, despite the fact that he was hiding in Nakuru's bag with Kero

"Master Eriol, I believe that this is the work of Bardon,"

"The demon?" Rubi's eyes widened

"Are you sure?" Eriol questioned, still unable to believe that Sakura defeated Bardon alone.

"Yes, the aura that was engulfing the building, surely belonged to him."

"But Bardon is powerful, we can't be sure that he's gone. He could be hiding somewhere you know." Rubi remarked

"Perhaps, but I've sensed nothing," Eriol replied.

"Eriol," Tomoyo disrupted Eriol's chain connection, " Do know if Sakura will be alright,"

Eriol glanced once again at Sakura, he smiled at Tomoyo, and "I assure you sweets that she's going to make it She has a strong and determined spirit."

Tomoyo sighed; she just had to take Eriol's word for it.

Sakura's beloved eyes remained shut for a week to come. Numerous visitors came to see how she was doing, but because of hospital policy only certain people were permitted to see at a time. That didn't stop the millions of flowers from being stacked up at her sill.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh it smells like a garden in here" Touya pinched his nose at the strong aroma. Fujitaki chuckled slightly

"*Sigh* your sister looks like an angel lying there," Touya stopped complaining and watched his father, " she kind of reminds me of your mother when she came to hospital to deliver Sakura,"

Touya's lips were firm "she's going to make it dad, the doctor said so,"

"Yes, but she's been getting hurt a lot lately. If there was only a way I could protect her."

"Dad she's a growing up, she has to learn,"

"How am I going to tell her about her face?" Fujitaki questioned Touya, who looked away in reply.

It's all so far

Sakura woke to the bright rays sipping in through her large window. All the colours of the rainbow were everywhere, in the room. Her eye's immediately met with the millions of flowers gathered around her room, not to mention the wonderful smell that spread around her room. It reminded her of how her mother would put on perfume, just before a photo shoot. She smiled one of her famous smiles as soon as her eyes set on her father's face. Both Touya and her dad were sleeping, each of their heads lay opposite of each other on her bed. She watched as Touya stirred in his sleep,

"Time to wake up Baka," she whispered in his ear. Touya's eyes flickered open.

"Sakura!" his hug caught her by surprise, but she hugged him back. Fujitaki did the same thing, tears of happiness was filled his eyes.

"We never thought you'd wake up," Fujitaki was beginning to tear up. Sakura smiled gingerly

"It's fine dad, I am okay," Touya turned his face away from Sakura, catching her attention.

"What's wrong Touya?" her lips formed a serious line.

Fujitaki continued to be silent

"Did something happen to me when I was battling?"

None of them bothered to reply. Persistently Sakura collected her crutches and attempted to move to the bathroom.

"Hey, where's the mirror?" her voice called out of the bathroom

"I had the nurses remove it," Fujitaki replied.

"Why?" Sakura was now switching her gaze back and forth from Fujitaki to Touya and back to Fujitaki. "What happened to me?"

Fujitaki just took a deep breath, as Touya prepared to answer her, "Sakura, here" and with that he handed her a small hand mirror.

Sakura accepted it with her hands shaking; she had a bad feeling about this.

"Gasp," Sakura accidentally dropped the mirror, sending it shattering on the floor. Gently she placed a hand on the right side of her face, where the terrible scar resided in. One bead of water dripped from her eyes then two, then before she knew it; she was crying a water dam.

Sakura didn't bother to ask how it happened, since she knew very well. The demon had hurled a fireball, directly towards her face. Caught by surprise, Sakura only had time to turn her head to the left, leaving the right side of her face exposed to the flames of hatred. What was left? A deep scar, which couldn't be healed by science since it was made by magic. A forced smile reached Sakura's mouth,

"Well. What do know," her eyes fell to the ground, " Guys how about one of you get me food, I am awfully hungry."

Touya stared unsure at Fujitaki who just nodded in reply. "You heard the girl Touya, get her something to eat."

Fujitaki and Touya finally went home, when Sakura finally convinced them that she would be perfectly fine.

Later that day, Tomoyo came to visit, only to finding Sakura staring gloomily out her hospital room window. One by one Sakura counted each of the different cars that entered and left the massive hospital parking lot. She felt absolute miserable.

Taking a deep breath, Tomoyo laid down her bag on the floor, and approached Sakura,

"Hey!"

"Hey," Sakura's voice was toneless. Tomoyo's lips formed a straight line, how to cheer up her friend.

"You know Sakura," and with that Tomoyo began to sing, (the tune is the same as Sara, Sara) "When I was just a little girl, I asked my mother what would I be, Would I be clumsy, would I be weird, here's what she said to me, Eh Sara, Sara, stop asking me such stupid questions, the futures not our too see, so leave me alone, you pain."

Sakura bursted out laughing, at that very minute, nearly forgetting completely about her scar.

"Oh Tomoyo, you know what exactly to do to cheer me up," Sakura embraced her beloved friend. Secretly Tomoyo was relieved that she could ease some of Sakura's pain, but it wouldn't heal what had already been done. The scar was there, and there it would remain.

As though reading her thoughts, Sakura began to be filled with despair, "Tomoyo," Sakura didn't finish, since Tomoyo knew all too well what she was going to say.

Tomoyo stayed with Sakura for a several more hours, each was forgetting about their current situations. Tomoyo described every detail, of her newfound relationship with Eriol, causing Sakura to squeal with delight. However, like most things it didn't last forever, and soon Sakura became self-conscience about her scar. She would listen to Tomoyo ramble on about her life, yet her mind was focussed on something else. Tomoyo could see this.

"Sakura?" Sakura's eyes met up with Tomoyo's concerned gaze

"I am just tired, Tomoyo," she lied. Tomoyo smiled sweetly in understanding,

"Alright, I'll visit you tomorrow then, okay?" Sakura nodded.

At around nighttime, Sakura was paid a surprise visit, by someone she hadn't seen in a long time.

"Eriol!" she exclaimed as she saw the dark blue haired boy, wearing round spectacles, standing at the doorway. Sakura was curious about why he was here, and even more curious at what was within the box he was carrying.

"Aren't you going to invite me in," Sakura shook herself awake

"Gomen, of course come in," Sakura gave him a warm smile, "So what brings you here,"

"How's your scar," Sakura's face immediately darkened.

"Fine I guess," she replied

"Sakura," She gazed back at Eriol, " I have a present for you."

And with that he opened the box revealing half a silver mask, with subtle silver carvings, it seemed that it was perfect fit, to cover Sakura's scar.

"Is that…"

" A mask," Eriol finished the sentence. Sakura felt ashamed,

"Eriol, I really don't need it,"

" Would you walk out in public?" his question caught her by surprise

"I..I.."

"You say that you don't need it, yet you are unsure of your reputation." His reply felt like a knife being stabbed in her heart, but she knew that what he said was true. She was ashamed to walk in public with that dark scar on the right side of her face. Sakura once again looked at the mask, Eriol saw this.

"Here," he handed the box to her, "It's only temporary Sakura, until your confidence builds up," he continued after seeing her face begin to dim.

"Oh yes," Sakura looked urgently at Eriol, "the mask is also a magic device, I made it so that when ever you wear it, your hair will automatically turn into red, long, curly hair instead. The masked will be seen by all, but your eyes will remain the same. Afterall it's your eyes that are said to be the entrance into your soul. When you were it you'll look totally different from how you do now."

Sakura nodded her head in acknowledgement. Silently she watched the Eriol leave, and when he did, she gazed at the mask once again.

Do I really need this?

But she already knew the answer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

" Shoaran," Yelan exclaimed in shock. At first she was surprised slightly by her son, who just came barging in through the door, for no apparent reason.

"I am telling you that Sakura is in danger," Shoaran yelled hysterically. Yelan shook her head in disbelief

"Sakura Kinomoto, has nothing to do with you now, Shoaran," she scolded

"Dammit mom," Shoaran slammed his fist onto the table, yet Yelan remained perfectly calm, his ill temper was something she had gotten accustomed too.

"Shoaran," she began, " are you sure that you aren't just imagining it,"

"Mom!" Yelan covered Shoaran's mouth with her hand

"Shoaran, you are suppose to be married, or have you forgotten that. What would the council think if they heard that you were going to Japan, to see the Clow Mistress?"

"I don't care what they think," his temper fumed

"I take it you have forgotten about their threat as well,"

Shoaran stopped, he sighed before falling back to his chair in frustration. Yelan placed a hand on his shoulder,

"My son, I am sure Sakura's alright, she's strong and the card are destined to protect her," Slowly she felt the tension from Shoaran's shoulder ease away.

"Onto more important news," Shoaran gazed at his mom curiously, "I received a letter from your new University,"

Yelan couldn't help but smile at her son's reaction. Shoaran's ears perked up in anticipation. For the longest time now he had been trying to get into a University that was close to Sakura's hometown, so he could visit her on weekends. Quickly he snatched the letter from his mother's hands and tore it opened.

" Kitasato University," he exclaimed angrily

"I heard that's an excellent University," Yelan attempted to brighten up the situation

"Yeah, but it must be the furriest University from Sakura's hometown." Yelan lifted an eyebrow in questioning

"Are you planning to cheat on your wife," she couldn't resist teasing him

Shoaran rolled his eyes, "mom you know that, that clone only lived for a day,"

Yelan laughed, as Shoaran angrily scrambled the letter and tossed it aside.

"DAMN COUNCIL! It must have been them, who did this. I am going to give them a piece of my mind," Yelan grabbed for Shoaran's wrist, as he was dialling the phone number of the leader of the council, getting ready to give him an argument. Shoaran shot his mom, a cold stare.

Yet Yelan smiled sweetly, "Leave it be son, you know this could be a good change for you, perhaps destiny has a different plan for you."

Grumbling, irritability, Shoaran slammed the receiver hard on the phone.

"You'd better be right mom,"

"Oh I am," she assured him

"Or I am never going to speak to you again," Yelan laughed as she peaked at her son's cheek.

"Fine by me," she joked. Thrusting his hands into the air, he stormed out of the kitchen.

"I have a very good feeling about this"; she couldn't help but think.

Suppi: Is this suppose to be a cliffhanger

Fruity: A little one

Suppi: Stop it with the cliffhangers, your fans don't like it and neither do I

Fruity: Well I do and since I am the writer of this fanfic, you have no choice

Suppi: Another question

Fruity: What is it this time

Suppi: How come you're being so mean to Sakura

Fruity: IT'S PART OF THE STORY. YOU DON'T LIKE IT, DEAL WITH IT

Suppi: Fine, fine, don't have to get a heart attack.