There was a flash of light. Sakura felt all feeling leave her body, then
return quickly. The return of it felt like a train had hit her. She found
herself on a marbled floor and she started gasping for air.
"The first trip is always rough," a man's voice said.
Sakura's head shot up and she saw the back of a man turned towards her.
'Is that him?' she thought.
He turned to face her. He was not like the man she had expected. He looked strong by build but his eyes looked tired. He looked like he was in his early 50's. His face was unshaven and his hair looked a mess. He was fairly well dressed though, and it contradicted the rest of him.
"Not who you expected?" he asked reading her face.
"Why do you want me here?" she said after catching her breath. She stood up to face him. Trying to look as fierce as possible.
He laughed a deep kind laugh. "You don't have to put up a display for me," he said lightly. Then becoming a bit more serious. "So I guess they told you about me."
She looked at him questioningly. Then reluctantly nodded.
"What'd they say? I'm a killer? Not to be trusted?" he said calmly
Sakura nodded again. She was starting to feel more at ease.
"Follow me,"
"Why do you want me here, what did you do to my friends?" she asked again, refusing to follow. Her tone was less demanding this time though.
"Stubborn one aren't you? Just like my daughter." He paused and she noticed a sad glimmer in his eyes. "I'm sorry to have to take such drastic measures upon bringing you here. I believed it was the only way to make you take me seriously. You're friends will be fine. As for why you are here I will show you if you follow me."
She followed. They went down a long corridor. It was immense and she felt very small. The ceiling was painted like the sky outside. As she looked she saw the clouds actually move, obviously some kind of magic. The walls were lined with portraits of men and women. The man studied her face as she looked around. She could feel his gaze but was still a little too afraid to return it.
"Here," he stopped in front of a pair of large doors.
He waved his hand and they opened before him. The room was very bright. She had to close her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again she stared in horror at a girl frozen in a block of ice.
"So was it tough to get them to let you come back" Tomoyo asked to attempt to take everyone's mind off The 45 min that Sakura had been gone.
"Not as bad as I expected." Syaoran responded. He kept his gaze on the floor and played mindlessly with a stuffed animal that was laid in front of him.
"Did they know how you felt about Sakura before?"
"Yeah, they didn't let me know that though. My mom let me stand there and explain it all, spilling my guts and them she just said 'I know'." He said in a bit of an irritated tone.
"Then what happened? Does she support it?"
"Actually." He blushed a little, "She said it would be an honor to have the Clow Card Mistress in the family."
Kero who was supposedly ignoring their conversation was heard choking in the background from this. He had been drinking something at the time Syaoran had said that last bit. Tomoyo started laughing. Syaoran was blushing even more.
"What's so funny?" Syaoran asked Tomoyo.
"I can just see. Touya's face now. if it ever happened," she managed to say between laughs.
Syaoran's face went pale. Obviously he hadn't thought of that. Tomoyo promptly started rolling with laughter. Even Kero couldn't help but laugh at this.
Sakura stood frozen, staring at the block of ice in front of her. Questions flew through her mind. She almost wanted to make a dash for the door but something held her back. It was the look on Shaka's face. He looked so sad. Nothing in his eyes seemed threatening. He stared straight at the girl in the ice.
"Sakura.," he said somberly "Meet my daughter."
"Y. your daughter? She asked, completely stunned.
He nodded slowly. Still not taking his eyes of the girl.
"But," she paused. Wondering what to say, "How?" it was all she could think of.
"It's a long story," he finally turned to face her and noticed the scared expression on her face, "I'm sorry, would you like to go into the hall to hear it?"
Her insides screamed 'Yes! Please!' But she fought the though and replied "No I'm fine."
Shaka tried to protest but one look at her determined face told him she had made her decision. He turned back to his daughter and began his story.
"I was a great magician, many people came to me for advice. I taught some of the greatest magicians, even one you know very well," he paused and read the surprised expression on her face "Clow Reed." Sakura looked extremely shocked but listened intently. "I occasionally battled with other magicians. It was safe, neither opponent was allowed to deliver a fatal blow. It was merely a friendly test of skill. One magician could learn from another easily this way. I was competing in such a battle when this happened. I was unfamiliar with the other magician, but nothing about him seemed threatening. My daughter was watching the match; she loved to watch them. She always wanted to be a magician when she grew up. The match was going fine until my wife came into the room.
When I met her she was alone on the street crying. She had a few bruises on her and I couldn't just leave her there so I took her to my home. While caring for her for a few days I slowly fell in love with her charm. She lit up my life. When she had truly recovered she went to leave, but it hurt me to see her go. I got my nerve and asked her to stay. Too my surprise that is what she wanted all along. She never wanted to discuss her past. I found it out the day of the battle. The other magician was her former fiancé. It was prearranged, and he abused her. The day I found her she had received he worst beating yet. She had been considering suicide when I showed up. She never told him about me. He assumed she had either died or run away. He had turned his life around and become a good magician. The moment he saw her however he snapped. He figured out that we were married and shot a fatal blow toward me while my back was turned."
"How are you still alive then?" Sakura couldn't help asking.
"She," he motioned toward his daughter "took the blow. She knew a little magic and she ran in front of me and made a small shield."
"Is she." she couldn't complete the sentence.
"She is still alive, but barely. It was a long time ago." He looked at Sakura. "Try to concentrate and you can feel what's left of her shield."
Sakura nodded, and closed her eyes. Clutching her hands at her chest she searched the room with her mind. I took a while but she found a small fading light surrounding the girl. It looked extremely week. Her face cringed a little. Then she noticed many other auras around the room. They weren't alive, but definitely not dead. As she sensed them the all started advancing toward her, closing her in from all sides. She started to feel dizzy. She suddenly collapsed on the hard marble floor.
^^^^^Thank you to:^^^^^^
Pink Cherry Blossom___ One more chapter until Syaoran's Dad appears. Just to make it clear, in my fic both Sakura Mom and Syaoran's Dad are presumed dead. So Syaoran's father appearing will obviously be a surprise. I'll say no more, don't want to ruin it =)...
dale jr's girl #8 ___ interesting Pen Name once again.. Don't cry!! I hate making people cry!! Hehehhe, hope you liked the new chapter
Jared___ impatient as always. =) I'm not regretting telling readers that I had chapters hidden away (Whips out Zoro mask), but I've decided to add one chapter a day until they're all used up. That way it gives me time to add onto the last chapter. It would be cruel to have 4 chapters pop up, leaving you all with a cliff hanger and then take a week to add another chapter don't cha think?
~~~~~And the whole Syaoran can't go with her thing, I could make up a big elaborate reason why he can't go but actually it's just because the next part of the plot involves only sakura and the "Evil Man." Thanx for the review, always interesting ^.^
Sakura-Mako___ HAHAHAHA. your review definitely gave me a laugh. I am the engergizer bunny. I am the energizer bunny.. I am the energizer bunny. hehehe If you get impatient just read what I told Jared, it applies to you too. I promise people, there is a method to my madness. !!!!
***********Want your name to appear in the next chapter's thank you section??? Of course you do!!! Then REVIEW!!! Thank you very much and have a nice day. please watch your step and be warry of the killer sea turtles that have recently decided to enhabit the runway. If thy attack, attempt spin around three times and yell out "I am the Energizer bunny" We have no idea whether this will work or not, but it'll be fun to look at****************
"The first trip is always rough," a man's voice said.
Sakura's head shot up and she saw the back of a man turned towards her.
'Is that him?' she thought.
He turned to face her. He was not like the man she had expected. He looked strong by build but his eyes looked tired. He looked like he was in his early 50's. His face was unshaven and his hair looked a mess. He was fairly well dressed though, and it contradicted the rest of him.
"Not who you expected?" he asked reading her face.
"Why do you want me here?" she said after catching her breath. She stood up to face him. Trying to look as fierce as possible.
He laughed a deep kind laugh. "You don't have to put up a display for me," he said lightly. Then becoming a bit more serious. "So I guess they told you about me."
She looked at him questioningly. Then reluctantly nodded.
"What'd they say? I'm a killer? Not to be trusted?" he said calmly
Sakura nodded again. She was starting to feel more at ease.
"Follow me,"
"Why do you want me here, what did you do to my friends?" she asked again, refusing to follow. Her tone was less demanding this time though.
"Stubborn one aren't you? Just like my daughter." He paused and she noticed a sad glimmer in his eyes. "I'm sorry to have to take such drastic measures upon bringing you here. I believed it was the only way to make you take me seriously. You're friends will be fine. As for why you are here I will show you if you follow me."
She followed. They went down a long corridor. It was immense and she felt very small. The ceiling was painted like the sky outside. As she looked she saw the clouds actually move, obviously some kind of magic. The walls were lined with portraits of men and women. The man studied her face as she looked around. She could feel his gaze but was still a little too afraid to return it.
"Here," he stopped in front of a pair of large doors.
He waved his hand and they opened before him. The room was very bright. She had to close her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again she stared in horror at a girl frozen in a block of ice.
"So was it tough to get them to let you come back" Tomoyo asked to attempt to take everyone's mind off The 45 min that Sakura had been gone.
"Not as bad as I expected." Syaoran responded. He kept his gaze on the floor and played mindlessly with a stuffed animal that was laid in front of him.
"Did they know how you felt about Sakura before?"
"Yeah, they didn't let me know that though. My mom let me stand there and explain it all, spilling my guts and them she just said 'I know'." He said in a bit of an irritated tone.
"Then what happened? Does she support it?"
"Actually." He blushed a little, "She said it would be an honor to have the Clow Card Mistress in the family."
Kero who was supposedly ignoring their conversation was heard choking in the background from this. He had been drinking something at the time Syaoran had said that last bit. Tomoyo started laughing. Syaoran was blushing even more.
"What's so funny?" Syaoran asked Tomoyo.
"I can just see. Touya's face now. if it ever happened," she managed to say between laughs.
Syaoran's face went pale. Obviously he hadn't thought of that. Tomoyo promptly started rolling with laughter. Even Kero couldn't help but laugh at this.
Sakura stood frozen, staring at the block of ice in front of her. Questions flew through her mind. She almost wanted to make a dash for the door but something held her back. It was the look on Shaka's face. He looked so sad. Nothing in his eyes seemed threatening. He stared straight at the girl in the ice.
"Sakura.," he said somberly "Meet my daughter."
"Y. your daughter? She asked, completely stunned.
He nodded slowly. Still not taking his eyes of the girl.
"But," she paused. Wondering what to say, "How?" it was all she could think of.
"It's a long story," he finally turned to face her and noticed the scared expression on her face, "I'm sorry, would you like to go into the hall to hear it?"
Her insides screamed 'Yes! Please!' But she fought the though and replied "No I'm fine."
Shaka tried to protest but one look at her determined face told him she had made her decision. He turned back to his daughter and began his story.
"I was a great magician, many people came to me for advice. I taught some of the greatest magicians, even one you know very well," he paused and read the surprised expression on her face "Clow Reed." Sakura looked extremely shocked but listened intently. "I occasionally battled with other magicians. It was safe, neither opponent was allowed to deliver a fatal blow. It was merely a friendly test of skill. One magician could learn from another easily this way. I was competing in such a battle when this happened. I was unfamiliar with the other magician, but nothing about him seemed threatening. My daughter was watching the match; she loved to watch them. She always wanted to be a magician when she grew up. The match was going fine until my wife came into the room.
When I met her she was alone on the street crying. She had a few bruises on her and I couldn't just leave her there so I took her to my home. While caring for her for a few days I slowly fell in love with her charm. She lit up my life. When she had truly recovered she went to leave, but it hurt me to see her go. I got my nerve and asked her to stay. Too my surprise that is what she wanted all along. She never wanted to discuss her past. I found it out the day of the battle. The other magician was her former fiancé. It was prearranged, and he abused her. The day I found her she had received he worst beating yet. She had been considering suicide when I showed up. She never told him about me. He assumed she had either died or run away. He had turned his life around and become a good magician. The moment he saw her however he snapped. He figured out that we were married and shot a fatal blow toward me while my back was turned."
"How are you still alive then?" Sakura couldn't help asking.
"She," he motioned toward his daughter "took the blow. She knew a little magic and she ran in front of me and made a small shield."
"Is she." she couldn't complete the sentence.
"She is still alive, but barely. It was a long time ago." He looked at Sakura. "Try to concentrate and you can feel what's left of her shield."
Sakura nodded, and closed her eyes. Clutching her hands at her chest she searched the room with her mind. I took a while but she found a small fading light surrounding the girl. It looked extremely week. Her face cringed a little. Then she noticed many other auras around the room. They weren't alive, but definitely not dead. As she sensed them the all started advancing toward her, closing her in from all sides. She started to feel dizzy. She suddenly collapsed on the hard marble floor.
^^^^^Thank you to:^^^^^^
Pink Cherry Blossom___ One more chapter until Syaoran's Dad appears. Just to make it clear, in my fic both Sakura Mom and Syaoran's Dad are presumed dead. So Syaoran's father appearing will obviously be a surprise. I'll say no more, don't want to ruin it =)...
dale jr's girl #8 ___ interesting Pen Name once again.. Don't cry!! I hate making people cry!! Hehehhe, hope you liked the new chapter
Jared___ impatient as always. =) I'm not regretting telling readers that I had chapters hidden away (Whips out Zoro mask), but I've decided to add one chapter a day until they're all used up. That way it gives me time to add onto the last chapter. It would be cruel to have 4 chapters pop up, leaving you all with a cliff hanger and then take a week to add another chapter don't cha think?
~~~~~And the whole Syaoran can't go with her thing, I could make up a big elaborate reason why he can't go but actually it's just because the next part of the plot involves only sakura and the "Evil Man." Thanx for the review, always interesting ^.^
Sakura-Mako___ HAHAHAHA. your review definitely gave me a laugh. I am the engergizer bunny. I am the energizer bunny.. I am the energizer bunny. hehehe If you get impatient just read what I told Jared, it applies to you too. I promise people, there is a method to my madness. !!!!
***********Want your name to appear in the next chapter's thank you section??? Of course you do!!! Then REVIEW!!! Thank you very much and have a nice day. please watch your step and be warry of the killer sea turtles that have recently decided to enhabit the runway. If thy attack, attempt spin around three times and yell out "I am the Energizer bunny" We have no idea whether this will work or not, but it'll be fun to look at****************