Daphne: "Well, here is the second chapter! I hope that you like it, and
please review to tell me what you think! Thank you to all who have already
reviewed!
Disclaimer: CCS does not belong to me! So there!
~*~*~*~
The Alluring Anthea by: Daphne Li Chapter 2.
"Oh, Ying-fa! You look simply lovely!" Lana cried. Lana was the seventeen year old daughter of Tomoyo and Eriol. Her charming amethyst eyes were twinkling, as she looked at the wedding dress that Tomoyo had made for Ying- fa's wedding.
"Just like an angel!" Milliah, Meiling and Touya's eighteen year-old daughter added. Milliah and Haley's twin brother, Trey, were engaged, as was Haley's older brother Stephen, to Lana. Haley and Chang were the only children (besides Aki and Rose), who were still single.
"Just like your mother." Haley commented, sticking another sakura blossom in Ying-fa's hair. Sakura, who was standing in the corner of the room, beamed. Ying-fa was in a many-layered wedding dress of sheer white silk and white gauze, all embroidered with cherry blossoms. It was a full-skirted dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves, and a long, beautiful veil that was secured with a diamond tiara. Suddenly, the door opened and Syaoran walked in, his face glowing.
"It is time. How is my sweet little cherry blossom?" He teased, making Ying- fa blush.
"Oh, papa! Really, I am eighteen." She said proudly, making him chuckle, and take her arm.
"Yes you are, but you will always be my baby girl." He muttered, making her smile and Sakura giggle. The other girls hurried out of the room to take their positions at Ying-fa's side, while Sakura went and sat down beside her brother and Meiling. Haley was Ying-fa's maid-of-honor, while Lana and Milliah were her brides-maids. Tryon had Chang as his best man, and he had asked Trey and Stephen to be his supporters. Aki was the ring-bearer, and little Rose was the flower girl. Tryon stood at his post, eagerly watching for Ying-fa to come into view.
The wedding march started. Everyone turned eagerly to see the procession coming up the isle. Rose was in the lead, tossing small handfuls of flower petals into the air. Aki came next with the rings, and behind him came the brides-maids.
The maid-of-honor was next, and then.the breathtakingly lovely Ying-fa, on the arm of her proud father. Tryon's mouth dropped as his bride came into view, the sheer veil over her face, but not able to hide the happy blush staining her cheeks. When they reached the men, Ying-fa kissed her father's cheek, and then took Tryon's arm, looking at him happily. Tryon's heart hit the ceiling, and only came down when the ceremony was done.
"I now pronounce you man and wife! You may kiss the bride!" The holy man crowed, making the whole church wait with batted breath as Tryon tenderly lifted the veil and gently kissed his wife. Then the whole church rose up with congratulations and well-wishes, making the new couple blush at all the attention. Little Rose ran up as they were walking down the isle, and motioned to be picked up. Tryon laughed and did as she asked, carrying the little girl outside to where the carriage waited.
"We were going to take her along!" Tryon joked, as he handed the little girl back to her mother, who had come over to kiss Ying-fa one last time. Syaoran smiled at his new son and they spoke a few words, before the carriage drove off into the distance, it's passengers still waving and calling 'goodbye'.
"She is gone." Rose whimpered, her pretty lips trembling. Slowly, everyone was leaving the chapel, leaving the royal family alone.
"She is." Syaoran said softly, burying his face in her sweet-smelling hair. Tears had filled his eyes, while Sakura had already began to cry.
"Don't cwy, daddy. I here. Aki an' Chang here. We happy." She soothed, running her tiny fingers through his hair. He smiled and pulled her close, into an hug.
"I know you are here, and I won't be lonely, not with your mother around!" Syaoran said jokingly, making Sakura blush and swat his arm, her tears forgotten.
~*~*~*~
*Two years Later*
"Am I doing it right, Chang?" A ten year-old Aki asked, moving his sword in a number of difficult positions. Chang nodded shortly, and then proceeded to show him how to do another hard set. Their father, Prince Li Syaoran sat on the side of the ring, watching closely as his oldest son showed the younger how to do the motions. In Syaoran's lap sat a five year-old little girl, with blonde-brown hair and bright hazel eyes that now had a tinge of green in them.
"Daddy, when can I learn to fight?" She asked, reaching up and looping her arms around his neck, her eyes searching his. He chuckled and pulled her closer.
"Perhaps when you turn seven. You are already learning self-defense right now, and you will need all your concentration on that, if you are to master it. Then, perhaps, we will think about the sword." He answered. She nodded understandingly and then turned back to watch her brothers' motions.
By now Stephen and Lana had been married for just over a year, and Trey and Milliah had been married just a few days before. Now it was just Chang, Aki, Rose, and Haley, along with their parents and King Touya and Queen Meiling, staying in the Kinomoto palace. When Fujitaka had died, Sakura had been so distraught that Touya had insisted that they live there permanently. At first, Syaoran had been hesitant, but then his mother had informed him that she would run the Li kingdom until they were ready to come back. His sisters and their husbands had taken up living at the Li palace, and Syaoran couldn't face the idea of living with them twenty-four- seven. So he had reluctantly agreed. Tomoyo and Eriol had taken up residence at the nearby Hiiragizawa castle, and Tarren and Alongue moved back and forth between the Kinomoto palace and the Wyngardium Hollow palace. Haley, tired of going back and forth, had decided to stay in the Kinomoto kingdom with Chang, Aki and Rose.
"He is getting better." A voice jolted Syaoran out of his thoughts, and made him turn around. There was his lovely wife, crouching beside him and grinning.
"Mommy!" Rose giggled, as Sakura settled next to them. Even after all these years, Sakura had kept her sweetness and youthful appearance. She had not one gray hair on her head, and her body was still strong and lithe, unlike many other women at her age (She was thirty-nine, going on forty now!). In the same way, Syaoran had not changed much. His hair was still it's rich chestnut color, and his amber eyes were still warm and caring. He was still muscular and strong, though his wife seemed to think that he needed coddling.
"Good work." Chang said shortly, making his family turn and look at the two boys who were bowing to each other out in the ring. Chang had not changed much, besides becoming much more muscular and strong. His amber eyes still held their cold glint, and his chestnut hair was still ever-messy, and all over the place. Aki's chestnut hair was cut in a page-boy style, and his green eyes sparkled with humor and life. He had grown taller, and had become a bit more muscular.
Rose's blonde-brown hair was short and curly, and reached to just below her chin. Her hazel-green eyes twinkled with innocence and love for her family. She was still rather quiet and thoughtful, her words more clear and legible than they had been when she was three. She also still showed great affection towards her oldest brother, in private, when no one else was there. She seemed to realize that he didn't wish to show affection to anyone, even if it was only in front of his family. But when they were alone, he would hold her close and rock her gently, until she either relaxed, or fell asleep. His touch was always warm and soothing, just like her mother's. But there was something else in it. A need to express his feelings to her, but no way to do so.that he knew of. She sensed this, and felt happy that she was the recipient of all he could manage to give.
"Did you see that, dad? I am getting better! I have got to tell Haley!" Aki crowed, sheathing his sword and running towards his family, with Chang following more slowly. His eyes caught Rose's and they stayed there, silently communicating to her. Her eyes answered and then she turned away to congratulate her other brother for his accomplishment. Sakura, however, had seen the look that passed between them, and she sighed. Rose was actually starting to take after Chang in the 'silent department'. Yes, she was still sweet and innocent, but her silence unnerved her mother a bit. Rose also seemed to be quite a bit more mature than her siblings, Ying-fa and Aki had been at her age. This also worried Sakura, though both fears she only related to her husband, who shared in her worry, but neither could do anything.
"Well, why don't we go back to the palace and tell Touya, Meiling and Haley about this?" Syaoran suggested, earning himself a big grin from his youngest son. Syaoran threaded his arm with Sakura's, and then led his family back to their home.
~*~*~*~
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
Chang sat up with a start, cold sweat running down his body again for the second time in his life. He had had the same dream again. The one about the demon entering the woman..but it seemed he wasn't the only one who had had it. Chang shot up and raced into Rose's room, where the little girl lay sobbing. Chang stood back in the shadows, waiting for his parents to come. Haley entered the room first, however, white and shaken. She nodded to Chang, and then moved over to the little girl, trying to soothe her.
"What is the matter?!"
"Rose? Haley, what is wrong?" Syaoran demanded. Haley looked at the sobbing girl, who was now being comforted by her mother, and then over at the silent Chang. They had all had the same dream, at the same time, and now, Haley was sure that something wasn't right.
"Uncle Syaoran, Aunt Sakura, may I speak with you in the library? It is very important. I think I can explain better there." Haley stated, as Syaoran began to argue. He then glanced at his distraught daughter and then nodded helplessly. Sakura reluctantly pulled away from the girl and looked pleadingly at Chang.
"Keep an eye on her until she falls asleep, please?" She begged, as Syaoran led her outside and began to shut the door. Chang nodded and then settled into the rocking chair across from Rose's bed. When she sensed that they were alone, Rose ran wailing into her brother's arms.
"It was horrid, Chang. Horrid." The little girl shuddered. Chang's arms wrapped around her comfortingly and he began to rock the chair back and fourth.
"I know. I had the same dream when I was eight. Haley had it too. This was the second time it has occurred, except this time, you have had it as well." Chang commented. She shuddered.
"No wonder you two are so close." She whispered, snuggling closer to her brother and slipping her tiny arms around his waist.
"You have to go somewhere." Rose informed him. Chang nodded, but said nothing.
"Haley has to go with you." She added. Again he said nothing. She snuggled closer.
"I will be with you, even if I don't go." She said, as his grip tightened on her, and a happy warmth spread through her body. She felt safe and warm in his arms, as if nothing could ever hurt her again. She looked up to see that is eyes were closed; he was still awake, just thinking. She slowly closed her eyes, as they became to heavy to keep open any longer.
"I love you, Chang." She whispered, just before she fell asleep. Her last conscious feeling was of his arms tightening even more around her, his way of saying, 'I love you, too'.
~*~*~*~
".What do you think it means?" Haley asked, as she finished her story and waited for Sakura and Syaoran to answer. Sakura's face had fallen and Syaoran looked grave.
"It means that for some reason, demons are returning to our world, and are taking people over for their own devices. What they want.is for you and Chang to figure out." Syaoran announced, making Haley jump.
"Oh, and how do you propose we do that?" She asked sarcastically. Sakura grimaced and looked at her husband.
"Long ago, the great Clow Reed had a rival, named Czarina Fiona. She was a Russian Queen who believed that her powers were just as great as Clow's. To prove it, she made a deck of cards herself, called the Czarina Cards. They had one guardian, a dragon named Flame, who was said to be quite vicious. Unfortunately, soon after she made them, she died, and the cards and Flame disappeared. Before she died, however, Fiona managed to banish the demons from the earth with her cards. If it was like you say, and they began to come back years before now, then it must be that the cards really weren't lost at all." Sakura said, as Haley sat in shock. Confining power within cards was a serious business, but this Fiona treated it as though it was a game or something!
"But what does that have to do with us?" Haley questioned, afraid of the answer.
"Well, lately, Eriol, Chang, Syaoran and I have been feeling quite a bit of power coming from the kingdom of Vaile, where that evil Queen Marguerite reigns. We believe it to be the power of the Czarina Cards, and we are sending you and Chang to retrieve them. You are to go in disguise, as an offer of." Sakura winced, ".servants to a farmer over there. While you are working for him, you must search for the cards. When and if you find them, you must help their master capture the rest of the cards and then help them to escape to our kingdom. If Queen Marguerite were to find out, you would be in hot water." Sakura warned.
Haley nodded, knowing that this was also the answer to another of her dreams. The farm one. She had a feeling that she would be meeting those men soon, and perhaps even that lovely girl. And if she did, perhaps they could help.
"I will inform Chang of this in the morning." She promised, getting up and leaving without another word. Sakura looked at Syaoran helplessly.
"It is starting. I hate to see them go into such danger, and Alongue will not be happy.but what can we do?" Sakura whimpered, burying her face in her husband's chest. Syaoran gently soothed her as she began to cry, but he too was worried. What would come of his eldest son? What would Tarren, Alongue, and Aki say when they found out? Most importantly, how would little Rose react, loosing her dear older brother for that long of a time?
"I am not looking forward to this." Syaoran grumbled, as he continued to comfort his wife.
~*~*~*~
"We have to what?" Chang asked the next morning, in a deadly soft voice. Rose was by his side, clinging to his pant-leg and not even worrying about being seen. Haley sighed and then related the tale that Sakura and Syaoran had related to her the night before.
"So I..we have to go out into who knows what, and help some person who happens to have been stupid enough to open those.funny named cards?! They must be nuts!" He exclaimed, his mask slipping and revealing a boy that was almost identical to Syaoran. But then it was gone, as he realized his slip.
"I mean, I am not going." He muttered, looking away, as Haley worked to keep from laughing. So this was the type of person who lay deep within Chang!
"We don't really have a choice. We are the only magical persons old enough to go on the journey. Aki and Rose are too young.end even though there is Tryon, he is too busy with his kingdom and he needs to stay with Ying-fa." Haley stated. Chang gazed stonily at the wall, as Rose continued to cling to him, her face turned up towards him and thoughtful.
"You knew, Chang. You just don't want to go." She stated sweetly, making Haley giggle. Aki, who was sitting in a corner of the room, looking worried.
"But.Malco will want to go with you, Haley! He will not like staying here with me. In fact, he just told me that he refuses to. Wherever you go, he goes." Aki translated, as the wolf beside him began to howl. Malco was the name that Haley had chosen for the little black and brown pup, when it had decided that she would be its substitute mother. Now that Malco was older, he still followed Haley everywhere, and rarely strayed from her side. He even slept in her room, at the end of the large bed, where he made a nest of blankets to sleep in every night.
"But wouldn't that be a bit too.conspicuous? I mean, they will know right away that something is not right, if they see him. Wolves rarely show their faces in public places, and much less with human companions." Haley pointed out, making Aki look thoughtful.
"What if he was to go with you, and stay in the forest along the edge of the kingdom? He would be safe there, and you could put an invisibility charm on him, so no one would see him and try to kill him." Aki said. Malco looked pleadingly at Haley, who in turn, looked pleadingly at Chang.
"Fine. But he had better not cause trouble." Chang said, as Malco gave a bark and jumped up to lick his face. Chang pushed him down, and Rose giggled as her brother disgustedly wiped his face off.
"When should we be off?" Haley asked.
"I would say within the next few days. We don't want to stall too much.I suppose. Although I wouldn't mind aborting this mission altogether. Who cares about those Czar.czar.funny-named cards?" Chang snapped, the hidden part of him slid out again, as Chang made a face, and then slipped his neutral mask back on. Haley giggled and Aki grinned. Rose looked confused and then her eyes lit up, in child-like delight.
"Chang, your face can move!" She stated, causing Aki and Haley to burst into laughter. Chang stiffened, and then took her hand, squeezing it a bit. Rose felt a wave of laughter crest out of his hand and into her body, making her giggle. Secretly, he had enjoyed her little statement, and found it funny as well.
"What is all the laughter about?" Sakura asked, running into the room. The young people quieted, not wanting to reveal their secret about Chang's other side..just yet.
"Nothing, Auntie. Aki just told a joke. Changing the subject, have you decided when you want us to leave?" Haley asked. Sakura's face fell.
"I was just coming to speak to you about that. Your father and I believe it best that you leave as early as.tomorrow. Your things are being packed, and a letter has been sent to Haley's parents." Sakura announced, looking a lot sadder than she sounded. Rose looked up at her mother and then went over and hugged her.
"Don't worry, mommy. They will be fine." She said, caressing her mother's long hair. Sakura smiled and then picked up her daughter, as Aki came over and hugged her as well.
"She is right. We will be fine, Auntie." Haley added, putting her arm around Sakura's waist. Chang nodded stiffly, and then turned as his father entered the room, looking no happier than his mother.
"Anybody for a bite to eat?" He asked, trying to distract them from the event at hand. Everyone moaned and giggled at his suggestion, but gladly accepted, not able to figure out anything more interesting to do.
~*~*~*~
Disclaimer: CCS does not belong to me! So there!
~*~*~*~
The Alluring Anthea by: Daphne Li Chapter 2.
"Oh, Ying-fa! You look simply lovely!" Lana cried. Lana was the seventeen year old daughter of Tomoyo and Eriol. Her charming amethyst eyes were twinkling, as she looked at the wedding dress that Tomoyo had made for Ying- fa's wedding.
"Just like an angel!" Milliah, Meiling and Touya's eighteen year-old daughter added. Milliah and Haley's twin brother, Trey, were engaged, as was Haley's older brother Stephen, to Lana. Haley and Chang were the only children (besides Aki and Rose), who were still single.
"Just like your mother." Haley commented, sticking another sakura blossom in Ying-fa's hair. Sakura, who was standing in the corner of the room, beamed. Ying-fa was in a many-layered wedding dress of sheer white silk and white gauze, all embroidered with cherry blossoms. It was a full-skirted dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves, and a long, beautiful veil that was secured with a diamond tiara. Suddenly, the door opened and Syaoran walked in, his face glowing.
"It is time. How is my sweet little cherry blossom?" He teased, making Ying- fa blush.
"Oh, papa! Really, I am eighteen." She said proudly, making him chuckle, and take her arm.
"Yes you are, but you will always be my baby girl." He muttered, making her smile and Sakura giggle. The other girls hurried out of the room to take their positions at Ying-fa's side, while Sakura went and sat down beside her brother and Meiling. Haley was Ying-fa's maid-of-honor, while Lana and Milliah were her brides-maids. Tryon had Chang as his best man, and he had asked Trey and Stephen to be his supporters. Aki was the ring-bearer, and little Rose was the flower girl. Tryon stood at his post, eagerly watching for Ying-fa to come into view.
The wedding march started. Everyone turned eagerly to see the procession coming up the isle. Rose was in the lead, tossing small handfuls of flower petals into the air. Aki came next with the rings, and behind him came the brides-maids.
The maid-of-honor was next, and then.the breathtakingly lovely Ying-fa, on the arm of her proud father. Tryon's mouth dropped as his bride came into view, the sheer veil over her face, but not able to hide the happy blush staining her cheeks. When they reached the men, Ying-fa kissed her father's cheek, and then took Tryon's arm, looking at him happily. Tryon's heart hit the ceiling, and only came down when the ceremony was done.
"I now pronounce you man and wife! You may kiss the bride!" The holy man crowed, making the whole church wait with batted breath as Tryon tenderly lifted the veil and gently kissed his wife. Then the whole church rose up with congratulations and well-wishes, making the new couple blush at all the attention. Little Rose ran up as they were walking down the isle, and motioned to be picked up. Tryon laughed and did as she asked, carrying the little girl outside to where the carriage waited.
"We were going to take her along!" Tryon joked, as he handed the little girl back to her mother, who had come over to kiss Ying-fa one last time. Syaoran smiled at his new son and they spoke a few words, before the carriage drove off into the distance, it's passengers still waving and calling 'goodbye'.
"She is gone." Rose whimpered, her pretty lips trembling. Slowly, everyone was leaving the chapel, leaving the royal family alone.
"She is." Syaoran said softly, burying his face in her sweet-smelling hair. Tears had filled his eyes, while Sakura had already began to cry.
"Don't cwy, daddy. I here. Aki an' Chang here. We happy." She soothed, running her tiny fingers through his hair. He smiled and pulled her close, into an hug.
"I know you are here, and I won't be lonely, not with your mother around!" Syaoran said jokingly, making Sakura blush and swat his arm, her tears forgotten.
~*~*~*~
*Two years Later*
"Am I doing it right, Chang?" A ten year-old Aki asked, moving his sword in a number of difficult positions. Chang nodded shortly, and then proceeded to show him how to do another hard set. Their father, Prince Li Syaoran sat on the side of the ring, watching closely as his oldest son showed the younger how to do the motions. In Syaoran's lap sat a five year-old little girl, with blonde-brown hair and bright hazel eyes that now had a tinge of green in them.
"Daddy, when can I learn to fight?" She asked, reaching up and looping her arms around his neck, her eyes searching his. He chuckled and pulled her closer.
"Perhaps when you turn seven. You are already learning self-defense right now, and you will need all your concentration on that, if you are to master it. Then, perhaps, we will think about the sword." He answered. She nodded understandingly and then turned back to watch her brothers' motions.
By now Stephen and Lana had been married for just over a year, and Trey and Milliah had been married just a few days before. Now it was just Chang, Aki, Rose, and Haley, along with their parents and King Touya and Queen Meiling, staying in the Kinomoto palace. When Fujitaka had died, Sakura had been so distraught that Touya had insisted that they live there permanently. At first, Syaoran had been hesitant, but then his mother had informed him that she would run the Li kingdom until they were ready to come back. His sisters and their husbands had taken up living at the Li palace, and Syaoran couldn't face the idea of living with them twenty-four- seven. So he had reluctantly agreed. Tomoyo and Eriol had taken up residence at the nearby Hiiragizawa castle, and Tarren and Alongue moved back and forth between the Kinomoto palace and the Wyngardium Hollow palace. Haley, tired of going back and forth, had decided to stay in the Kinomoto kingdom with Chang, Aki and Rose.
"He is getting better." A voice jolted Syaoran out of his thoughts, and made him turn around. There was his lovely wife, crouching beside him and grinning.
"Mommy!" Rose giggled, as Sakura settled next to them. Even after all these years, Sakura had kept her sweetness and youthful appearance. She had not one gray hair on her head, and her body was still strong and lithe, unlike many other women at her age (She was thirty-nine, going on forty now!). In the same way, Syaoran had not changed much. His hair was still it's rich chestnut color, and his amber eyes were still warm and caring. He was still muscular and strong, though his wife seemed to think that he needed coddling.
"Good work." Chang said shortly, making his family turn and look at the two boys who were bowing to each other out in the ring. Chang had not changed much, besides becoming much more muscular and strong. His amber eyes still held their cold glint, and his chestnut hair was still ever-messy, and all over the place. Aki's chestnut hair was cut in a page-boy style, and his green eyes sparkled with humor and life. He had grown taller, and had become a bit more muscular.
Rose's blonde-brown hair was short and curly, and reached to just below her chin. Her hazel-green eyes twinkled with innocence and love for her family. She was still rather quiet and thoughtful, her words more clear and legible than they had been when she was three. She also still showed great affection towards her oldest brother, in private, when no one else was there. She seemed to realize that he didn't wish to show affection to anyone, even if it was only in front of his family. But when they were alone, he would hold her close and rock her gently, until she either relaxed, or fell asleep. His touch was always warm and soothing, just like her mother's. But there was something else in it. A need to express his feelings to her, but no way to do so.that he knew of. She sensed this, and felt happy that she was the recipient of all he could manage to give.
"Did you see that, dad? I am getting better! I have got to tell Haley!" Aki crowed, sheathing his sword and running towards his family, with Chang following more slowly. His eyes caught Rose's and they stayed there, silently communicating to her. Her eyes answered and then she turned away to congratulate her other brother for his accomplishment. Sakura, however, had seen the look that passed between them, and she sighed. Rose was actually starting to take after Chang in the 'silent department'. Yes, she was still sweet and innocent, but her silence unnerved her mother a bit. Rose also seemed to be quite a bit more mature than her siblings, Ying-fa and Aki had been at her age. This also worried Sakura, though both fears she only related to her husband, who shared in her worry, but neither could do anything.
"Well, why don't we go back to the palace and tell Touya, Meiling and Haley about this?" Syaoran suggested, earning himself a big grin from his youngest son. Syaoran threaded his arm with Sakura's, and then led his family back to their home.
~*~*~*~
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
Chang sat up with a start, cold sweat running down his body again for the second time in his life. He had had the same dream again. The one about the demon entering the woman..but it seemed he wasn't the only one who had had it. Chang shot up and raced into Rose's room, where the little girl lay sobbing. Chang stood back in the shadows, waiting for his parents to come. Haley entered the room first, however, white and shaken. She nodded to Chang, and then moved over to the little girl, trying to soothe her.
"What is the matter?!"
"Rose? Haley, what is wrong?" Syaoran demanded. Haley looked at the sobbing girl, who was now being comforted by her mother, and then over at the silent Chang. They had all had the same dream, at the same time, and now, Haley was sure that something wasn't right.
"Uncle Syaoran, Aunt Sakura, may I speak with you in the library? It is very important. I think I can explain better there." Haley stated, as Syaoran began to argue. He then glanced at his distraught daughter and then nodded helplessly. Sakura reluctantly pulled away from the girl and looked pleadingly at Chang.
"Keep an eye on her until she falls asleep, please?" She begged, as Syaoran led her outside and began to shut the door. Chang nodded and then settled into the rocking chair across from Rose's bed. When she sensed that they were alone, Rose ran wailing into her brother's arms.
"It was horrid, Chang. Horrid." The little girl shuddered. Chang's arms wrapped around her comfortingly and he began to rock the chair back and fourth.
"I know. I had the same dream when I was eight. Haley had it too. This was the second time it has occurred, except this time, you have had it as well." Chang commented. She shuddered.
"No wonder you two are so close." She whispered, snuggling closer to her brother and slipping her tiny arms around his waist.
"You have to go somewhere." Rose informed him. Chang nodded, but said nothing.
"Haley has to go with you." She added. Again he said nothing. She snuggled closer.
"I will be with you, even if I don't go." She said, as his grip tightened on her, and a happy warmth spread through her body. She felt safe and warm in his arms, as if nothing could ever hurt her again. She looked up to see that is eyes were closed; he was still awake, just thinking. She slowly closed her eyes, as they became to heavy to keep open any longer.
"I love you, Chang." She whispered, just before she fell asleep. Her last conscious feeling was of his arms tightening even more around her, his way of saying, 'I love you, too'.
~*~*~*~
".What do you think it means?" Haley asked, as she finished her story and waited for Sakura and Syaoran to answer. Sakura's face had fallen and Syaoran looked grave.
"It means that for some reason, demons are returning to our world, and are taking people over for their own devices. What they want.is for you and Chang to figure out." Syaoran announced, making Haley jump.
"Oh, and how do you propose we do that?" She asked sarcastically. Sakura grimaced and looked at her husband.
"Long ago, the great Clow Reed had a rival, named Czarina Fiona. She was a Russian Queen who believed that her powers were just as great as Clow's. To prove it, she made a deck of cards herself, called the Czarina Cards. They had one guardian, a dragon named Flame, who was said to be quite vicious. Unfortunately, soon after she made them, she died, and the cards and Flame disappeared. Before she died, however, Fiona managed to banish the demons from the earth with her cards. If it was like you say, and they began to come back years before now, then it must be that the cards really weren't lost at all." Sakura said, as Haley sat in shock. Confining power within cards was a serious business, but this Fiona treated it as though it was a game or something!
"But what does that have to do with us?" Haley questioned, afraid of the answer.
"Well, lately, Eriol, Chang, Syaoran and I have been feeling quite a bit of power coming from the kingdom of Vaile, where that evil Queen Marguerite reigns. We believe it to be the power of the Czarina Cards, and we are sending you and Chang to retrieve them. You are to go in disguise, as an offer of." Sakura winced, ".servants to a farmer over there. While you are working for him, you must search for the cards. When and if you find them, you must help their master capture the rest of the cards and then help them to escape to our kingdom. If Queen Marguerite were to find out, you would be in hot water." Sakura warned.
Haley nodded, knowing that this was also the answer to another of her dreams. The farm one. She had a feeling that she would be meeting those men soon, and perhaps even that lovely girl. And if she did, perhaps they could help.
"I will inform Chang of this in the morning." She promised, getting up and leaving without another word. Sakura looked at Syaoran helplessly.
"It is starting. I hate to see them go into such danger, and Alongue will not be happy.but what can we do?" Sakura whimpered, burying her face in her husband's chest. Syaoran gently soothed her as she began to cry, but he too was worried. What would come of his eldest son? What would Tarren, Alongue, and Aki say when they found out? Most importantly, how would little Rose react, loosing her dear older brother for that long of a time?
"I am not looking forward to this." Syaoran grumbled, as he continued to comfort his wife.
~*~*~*~
"We have to what?" Chang asked the next morning, in a deadly soft voice. Rose was by his side, clinging to his pant-leg and not even worrying about being seen. Haley sighed and then related the tale that Sakura and Syaoran had related to her the night before.
"So I..we have to go out into who knows what, and help some person who happens to have been stupid enough to open those.funny named cards?! They must be nuts!" He exclaimed, his mask slipping and revealing a boy that was almost identical to Syaoran. But then it was gone, as he realized his slip.
"I mean, I am not going." He muttered, looking away, as Haley worked to keep from laughing. So this was the type of person who lay deep within Chang!
"We don't really have a choice. We are the only magical persons old enough to go on the journey. Aki and Rose are too young.end even though there is Tryon, he is too busy with his kingdom and he needs to stay with Ying-fa." Haley stated. Chang gazed stonily at the wall, as Rose continued to cling to him, her face turned up towards him and thoughtful.
"You knew, Chang. You just don't want to go." She stated sweetly, making Haley giggle. Aki, who was sitting in a corner of the room, looking worried.
"But.Malco will want to go with you, Haley! He will not like staying here with me. In fact, he just told me that he refuses to. Wherever you go, he goes." Aki translated, as the wolf beside him began to howl. Malco was the name that Haley had chosen for the little black and brown pup, when it had decided that she would be its substitute mother. Now that Malco was older, he still followed Haley everywhere, and rarely strayed from her side. He even slept in her room, at the end of the large bed, where he made a nest of blankets to sleep in every night.
"But wouldn't that be a bit too.conspicuous? I mean, they will know right away that something is not right, if they see him. Wolves rarely show their faces in public places, and much less with human companions." Haley pointed out, making Aki look thoughtful.
"What if he was to go with you, and stay in the forest along the edge of the kingdom? He would be safe there, and you could put an invisibility charm on him, so no one would see him and try to kill him." Aki said. Malco looked pleadingly at Haley, who in turn, looked pleadingly at Chang.
"Fine. But he had better not cause trouble." Chang said, as Malco gave a bark and jumped up to lick his face. Chang pushed him down, and Rose giggled as her brother disgustedly wiped his face off.
"When should we be off?" Haley asked.
"I would say within the next few days. We don't want to stall too much.I suppose. Although I wouldn't mind aborting this mission altogether. Who cares about those Czar.czar.funny-named cards?" Chang snapped, the hidden part of him slid out again, as Chang made a face, and then slipped his neutral mask back on. Haley giggled and Aki grinned. Rose looked confused and then her eyes lit up, in child-like delight.
"Chang, your face can move!" She stated, causing Aki and Haley to burst into laughter. Chang stiffened, and then took her hand, squeezing it a bit. Rose felt a wave of laughter crest out of his hand and into her body, making her giggle. Secretly, he had enjoyed her little statement, and found it funny as well.
"What is all the laughter about?" Sakura asked, running into the room. The young people quieted, not wanting to reveal their secret about Chang's other side..just yet.
"Nothing, Auntie. Aki just told a joke. Changing the subject, have you decided when you want us to leave?" Haley asked. Sakura's face fell.
"I was just coming to speak to you about that. Your father and I believe it best that you leave as early as.tomorrow. Your things are being packed, and a letter has been sent to Haley's parents." Sakura announced, looking a lot sadder than she sounded. Rose looked up at her mother and then went over and hugged her.
"Don't worry, mommy. They will be fine." She said, caressing her mother's long hair. Sakura smiled and then picked up her daughter, as Aki came over and hugged her as well.
"She is right. We will be fine, Auntie." Haley added, putting her arm around Sakura's waist. Chang nodded stiffly, and then turned as his father entered the room, looking no happier than his mother.
"Anybody for a bite to eat?" He asked, trying to distract them from the event at hand. Everyone moaned and giggled at his suggestion, but gladly accepted, not able to figure out anything more interesting to do.
~*~*~*~