Title: Echoing Lullaby
Author: Ice Lady
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own Cardcaptor Sakura.
Ice Lady: Hi, again! Thank you so much for the reviews! I am really happy that you all enjoyed my fic. I am sorry this chapter took so long. My teachers insist on piling project after project on me, but I will try to write more often. Here's the next chapter!
**********
Chapter 2-Shadows in the Night
Kinomoto Touya hadn't gotten a decent night sleep for a few days. He could have sworn the baby was purposely nocturnal to annoy him. The baby was wailing at the top of her lungs at the moment. He groaned and called out: "Kaijuu! Can't you turn that thing off?"
Yukito chuckled next to him, putting down the book he had been reading. "You aren't a baby person, are you, Toya? Sakura-chan and Akina-chan are cute."
Touya rolled his eyes. "Not when she's screaming so loud. And then there is the baby."
Both listened as there was a crash and the stuffed toy cursed. "Kero-chan!" The kaijuu shrieked.
"Sorry! I was just trying to help!" Kero retorted back. "Maybe if your voice didn't sound so moronic, the baby would like you!"
Both Touya and Yukito winced. "Wrong move." Touya murmured.
"KERO-CHAN!" His sister's shrill voice shook the walls. "My voice doesn't sound moronic! Get out of my room, until you learn some manners!"
"You should take your own advice!" Kero yelled.
A loud bang resounded throughout the house as the door to Sakura's room was flung open, followed by a dull thud as Kero was thrown mercilessly out of the room. An echoing bang followed as Sakura slammed her door shut, leaving a pouty stuffed animal grumbling in the upstairs hall.
Yukito looked at Touya. "Sakura-chan must be under a lot of stress."
Touya smirked. "That's an understatement."
Sakura huffed at the nerve Kero had. Her voice didn't sound moronic! Sakura decided hotly that Kero wouldn't get any pudding for a week. She frowned at the door, then turned back to the crib where Akina lay.
The poor little girl was still crying. Sakura's anger melted away, and tender concern filled her heart. Akina had no reason to be so upset. Sakura walked over to the crib and smiled down warmly at the infant before picking her up.
Sakura carried the baby over to the windowseat and sat down, rocking her gently. "Don't cry, Akina-chan. Are you hungry? No, no, that can't be it. And I just changed you a few minutes ago, so your diaper can't be dirty. Ummm...maybe you miss your okaa-san? Don't worry. I am sure she will be okay." Sakura paused, looking up at the moon, the light spilling over the sakura tree in the yard.
Sakura wondered what else to say to comfort Akina. "Ummm...I don't have my okaa-san either. But I'm not sad. Onii-chan said that she went to a beautiful place where she is happy and watches over us. Mothers are good at that. They will watch over you and protect you." Sakura looked down at the now-silent baby, who was watching her with green eyes.
Sakura smiled. "Since your okaa-san isn't here, I guess I will be your mother. Don't worry, because I will watch over you and protect you. I'm sure that your mother would want that for you." Sakura tucked the pink blanet more firmly around the baby so Akina wouldn't get chilled.
"You are such a cute baby. If I had a baby, I would want her to be just like you. You have such pretty eyes, and a such beautiful name. Akina-chan, Akina-chan, Akina-chan." She sang. Akina giggled as Sakura cradled her back and forth.
"Do you like my singing? My voice doesn't sound moronic to you." Sakura hummed a tune, then paused in confusion. Where was that from? She looked out the window at the sakura tree. The meadow in her dream had a tree like that. Her dream! The lullaby she had hummed was the tune she heard in her dream.
Sakura began to sing the lullaby softly to the infant in her arms. It was a beautiful song. A wordless melody that conveyed thousands upon thousands of emotions. Sakura glanced down at Akina. The baby's green eyes were drooping with sleep.
Sakura continued to sing, gazing around her bedroom. Her eyes landed on a picture of Syaoran. She smiled sadly, memories drifting to her. She missed him with a dull ache in her heart, that lessened with time, and his memory grew more fond with each day. She knew that he was in a better place now. She could remember him with happiness and not pain. She had stopped crying over him ever since....
Ever since Yue had talked to her.
**********Flashback
Moonlight shone on Sakura as she sat on the cold floor, leaning against her bed. She was exhausted and her heart hurt with sharp grief. She couldn't and didn't want to stop crying. The image of Syaoran dying in her arms kept coming back to her. The mental picture that appeared every time she closed her eyes. She sniffed and wiped another tear. It was her fault that Syaoran had died. He reassured her that she wasn't to blame, but she knew that if she had only came sooner he would have never gotten wounded. Sakura remembered the look in his eyes. Relief that she was alive, regret that he couldn't be with her any longer, pain from the injury. Sakura felt a fresh wave of tears coming and her throat closed up painfully. Her thoughts were interrupted as Yue's solemn voice asked, "May I come in, Mistress?"
Sakura twisted around and peered over her bed. Yue was standing at the open door, eyes studying her. "Yue-san! Of course!" She stumbled up, scrubbing her cheeks as best she could. She felt so childish and weak. Her clothes were wrinkled and rumpled, hair messy, and her face was tear-stained. Yue must think I am a poor mistress compared to Clow Reed, Sakura thought. Sakura couldn't imagine Clow-san crying.
Yue walked in, stopping before Sakura, looking down at her. Sakura swallowed. She must look awful. "Are you going to be alright, Mistress?" He inquired, violet eyes full of concern.
Sakura smiled weakly. "I really don't want to be alright, Yue-san." She continued at Yue's questioning look. "I mean, I don't want to just forget him and move on with my life! Just shrug, say 'Oh, well', and walk away. It would be dishonoring him!" Her voice broke and she covered her face with her hands, trying hard not to cry. "But at the same time, I know I am worrying everyone and I should pretend to be happy. I probably look like a fool to you."
She raised her head as Yue laid a hand on her shoulder. He said, "I know it must be hard for you. I do not see you as a fool, but as a strong person who must deal with hardships. Syaoran means more to you than ever because you lost him."
Sakura broke away from Yue, her green eyes shining with unshed tears. "Oh, really!" She choked out, accusation in her voice. "Well...what should I do with this?" She turned and opened a drawer, throwing out a few clothes. She found what she was looking for and tossed it at Yue. "Well? What do you make of that?" She challenged.
Yue caught the small box and opened it. Inside, snug in a velvet blanket, shining in the moonlight was a ring. He inhaled sharply.
"There are cherry blossoms engraved on the outside of the ring," whispered Sakura, the image of the ring etched permamently in her mind's eye. "On the inside of it Syaoran wrote..." Sakura trailed off, overcome by tears. "Meiling-chan told me that he bought it in secret. He was going to propose to me the day after he died." She stated, trying to keep emotion from her voice.
Yue stared at the ring. Then he glanced up at Sakura, closed the case with a snap and set it on her desk silently. He turned to a sobbing Sakura and embraced her. Sakura cried into his sleeve. "I would have said yes, Yue...I would have said yes.."
He held her, arms wrapped securely around her, stroking her hair comfortly. "Shhhh...I know..." He whispered. "Just cry."
Sakura cried, letting her tears fall, her heart bursting with pain. She was aware of little, but she knew that it was Yue holding her, and she thankful for him. She listened as Yue told her: "It is hard, Sakura, to let go of someone you love. But think of Syaoran, think of how he loved you enough to want to propose to you. Do you think he would want you to be sad? He would want you to be happy. He will understand if you stop crying. Just remember your best memories of him."
Sakura tilted her head, looking into Yue's eyes. "Have you lost someone you held dear?" She blurted out. "Did you just let them die and not do anything about it, Yue?" She realized what she just said and instantly regretted her words. "I'm sorry, Yue-san..."
Yue shook his head. "It's alright. It was hard for me. But now that I think about it, Mistress..." He hesitated. "If I did not let Clow Reed go, I would have never gotten to know you."
Sakura smiled through her tears. She threw her arms around him and hugged him. "Thank you, Yue-san." She whispered.
Yue returned her hug. "Thank you, Mis-Sakura-sama."
**********End flashback
Sakura sighed and stopped singing. What Yue had said made her happy and helped her. She glanced down at Akina. The baby was sleeping soundly, face lit by moonlight. Her little fists clenched at the blanket wrapped around her. She appeared to be dreaming a pleasant dream, for a content smile graced her tiny features.
Sakura smiled and stood up. When Akina awoke, she would be hungry. Sakura might as well prepare some milk for her. Sakura strode over to her door and opened it. Kero was nowhere in sight. Just as well if he was going to be rude to her. Sakura padded down the stairs, passing the door to her father's library, wondering if Yue was in there.
**********
Yue was seated on one of the chairs in the library. He thumbed through a worn book, moonlight glimmering around him, setting a silver glow to his wings and hair. He held the book with great care.
It was odd to be in a separate body, Yue mused. He didn't have to contanstly change forms and waste energy. He was able to see his mistress more often.
His mistress. Kinomoto Sakura. A different matter all entirely. He had watched her grow into a very pretty young woman over the years. She grew stronger with her magic. Yue was proud to be her guardian, not that she really needed a guardian. But even as she grew older, her cheerfulness and her concern for others stuck with her. Until Clow's descendent died.
It was amazing to Yue the change in Sakura. She withdrew into herself, not smiling or talking. Sakura seemed to be unreachable. Yue wondered why she didn't stop crying. Then it came to him and he saw Sakura in a new light. Yue had done the same thing when Clow died. He didn't want to move on either.
Yue was shocked that Syaoran was going to propose to Sakura. But he shouldn't have been surprised though. Everyone had known sooner or later Syaoran would have asked Sakura.
Yue paused at that thought.
Why should he have been stunned then?
He shook his head to clear the question away and looked down at the book he held in his hands. He smiled. He remembered when Sakura gave him this book. The day after he had consoled Sakura.
**********Another Flashback ^_^
Yue was reading in Fujitaka's library when he heard the light knock on the door. He glanced up from the book and called out, "Come in." The door opened and Sakura descended the stairs, stopping in front of Yue.
Yue closed his book and stood up. "How are you feeling today, Sakura-sama?" He asked politely.
Sakura smiled. "Much better. Thanks to you, Yue-san."
Yue nodded, not knowing what to say to that.
Sakura hesitated, then, with a faint blush on her cheeks, held out a book. "I...uh...wanted to give this to you. For helping me. Kero-chan said you like to read, so I bought this for you. I don't know if you will like it or not..." Sakura trailed off, nervously handing the book to Yue.
Yue was moved that Sakura had thought of him. He inspected the book Sakura had given him. Yue looked up at Sakura, who was anxious to hear his comment. "I wanted to read this book for a while, Sakura-sama. Thank you." He smiled at her.
Sakura reddened, then stammered good-bye, and retreated out of the library, leaving a surprised Yue staring after her.
**********End Flashback
Yue opened the book he held with great care in his hands to the front page. Carefully written in beautiful handwriting was:
"To Yue-san,
Thank you for comforting me. I will remember Syaoran with happiness, because you helped me. And I am really happy to have gotten know you. I consider you a wonderful friend, and I hope you think of me the same way. Thank you.
Love,
Sakura."
Yue smiled at the handwriting, then closed the book, staring at the cover. He had read it over and over, practically memorizing the contents. It was special to him.
Over the weeks that followed Sakura's gift, his mistress always gave him a present when she went shopping. He cherished each one. He nearly torn Cerberus apart when Yue found out he had used a page for a napkin when eating pudding. Sakura stopped the fight just in time. Cerberus left the scene, muttering that Yue always treasured books when Clow gave them.
Yue was shocked at that statement. He had, in the past when Clow was alive, always held dear the books his former master gave him. And now he was valuing Sakura's gifts. What did that mean?
He started in shock as he felt Sakura release her wand. Why did she do that? Yue stood up, pushing the chair back, and setting the book gently aside. He could hear the baby crying and a crash in the kitchen.
Sakura screamed then, and he raced up the stairs.
**********
In the kitchen, Sakura laid the sleeping baby down in the little basket Touya had made for that purpose. She gazed at Akina tenderly for a minute. Then Sakura turned and began to heat up some formula. She had went shopping with her father before he went on a business trip and bought some supplies a few days ago.
Sakura was humming her lullaby as she reached for a bottle, when she felt a cold wind on her neck. She froze, then set the bottle down and turned slowly around. The window was up. And she hadn't opened it.
Sakura shivered, cold for some unknown reason, and reached out to shut the window, when a strong wind knocked her off her feet. Sakura crashed against the wall. She groaned and raised her head.
A shadowy creature floated into the room, a thick mass of blackness for its body. It snarled and twisted its blob of head around, gaze settling on Akina. It moved forward, and raised a tentacle, growling with malice.
Sakura gasped and fumbled for her star key. She released the wand. "Windy!" She yelled. Windy blew threw the creature; there was no effect.
Irritanted, it turned and advanced on her, knocking over the table. Sakura cried out as Akina was knocked off the table and fell through the air, shrieking.
Sakura pulled out the Float card, but before she could do anything, the creature grasped both her wrists, burning them. Sakura strugged to break free and save Akina from hitting the floor. Tears blurred her eyes as she heard the clatter of the basket on the floor. Akina's crying was cut off.
The creature formed another tentacle raising upward. The tentacle turned into a sharp blade. It hung in the air, then sliced downward. Sakura screamed as loud as she could as the blade slashed through the air at her.
Strong arms embraced her from behind, hands gripping her wrists and pulling them free from the creatures' claws. Sakura tipped back at the sudden loss of resistance into those arms. White wings wrapped around her.
Sakura turned and crushed Yue into a hug as the blade struck the shield he had formed. "Yue!" She cried out, shaking with relief. "Thank you so much, Yue-san!"
Yue had no time to answer as the creature howled in frustation. Sakura shuddered and thought quickly of a card. Yue held her against him as he folded back his wings and created ice shards. He threw them at the creature, which hissed in pain.
Sakura reluctantly pulled away from Yue and brought out the Light card. "Light!" She shouted and the brilliant Light floated out, illuminating the kitchen. The creature howled in fear and dissolved.
Sakura let out a sigh of relief and thanked Light, who smiled and returned to card form. Sakura bowed her head, tears dripping. "Akina..." She whispered.
Yue tilted his head. "Why are you crying? Akina is safe." He gestured to the baby sitting miraculously on the counter.
Sakura gasped and dashed over to the baby. Akina was laid in her basket, a bottle of warm formula in her mouth. "But...how? Yue, did you catch her?" She turned to Yue, who shook his head.
Sakura smiled, dismissing the question of how Akina was rescued. "As long as she is safe." Sakura replied.
Two pairs of feet stamped down the stairs and Touya and Yukito burst into the kitchen. Kero zoomed over to Sakura. "What happened? Are you alright? What's going on?" Touya demanded, looking at the overturned table, then noticing Sakura's burnt wrists. "You're hurt!"
Sakura glanced at her wrists. She had forgotten about the pain. Akina was more important. "I guess, I better bandage them." She commented, absently.
Kero frowned. "Those aren't ordinary burns."
Sakura wearily nodded her head, hugging Kero to her. "Some creature attacked me and Akina-chan. Yue-san saved me." She explained.
Yukito righted the table. "I am glad you are alright." He said. Kero flew over to Akina and inspected her. Akina let go of her bottle and extended a tiny hand out to Kero, grabbing a stubby arm. She gurgled happily as she shook Kero around by his paw. "Hey! Let me go!" Kero protested.
Sakura smiled at the sight, then shivered as she remembered what happened. "That monster was going to hurt Akina-chan. It knew that she was here. Akina-chan would have...been seriously hurt or worse if something hadn't caught her. I didn't protect her well." She finished, sadly.
Yue stepped forward. "How would you have known a creature would show up? You are not to blame." He reassured her. Sakura reached out and squeezed his hand. "Thanks, Yue-san."
Touya narrowed his eyes at Yue. Was it just him or was Yue and his little sister getting close? He cleared his throat and glanced around the room. His skin tingled with the familar feeling he always had when he saw...
He noticed a faint shimmer at the window. Kinomoto Nadeshiko smiled gently at him. "Uh...let's all get some sleep for now. We can figure out this...creature thing in the morning." Touya announced.
Sakura tiredly agreed. Then she realized that she was still holding Yue's hand. She quickly let go and murmured a good night to Yue. She was blushing, she knew it. Why was she blushing around Yue? She heard Yue wish her a good-night as she scooped up Akina and dashed up the stairs.
Yukito noticed Sakura's blush and chuckled to himself. "I will get some sleep as well." He said and headed up the stairs.
Yue was left with Touya, who was staring at the window. Yue nodded to Touya and exited the room.
Nadeshiko glided over to her son, her hair floating around her. "Okaa-san...hello." Touya greeted. "Did you save Akina?"
Nadeshiko shook her head, sending her hair rippling around her. "No, I felt that Sakura was in danger, but I saw Yue save her. Yue is a good person, Touya." She suggested the last statement meaningfully to Touya.
Touya frowned. "Are you saying that Yue is a good person for Sakura?" He muttered, going into overprotective older brother mode.
Nadeshiko laughed. "I wasn't going to say that, but you said it for me. What do you think?"
Touya furrowed his brows in thought. "Yue is very respectful of Sakura. And he protects whenever there is need..."
"And...?" Nadeshiko pressed on, a smile on her face.
"And he would be a good person for Sakura." Touya grumbled. "Who's attacking Sakura and Akina, Okaa-san?" He asked, partly to change the subject, partly out of concern.
Nadeshiko sighed. "I don't know. I can't change anything significant, except a few details..." She paused and seemed to be listening to something. Touya was puzzled. What did she mean about changing details? "I must go. Take care of yourself, Touya." She smiled, then vanished, leaving only a light scent of perfume.
Touya sighed. Nadeshiko always arrived unexpectantly and left just the same. Ever since, Yue and Yukito separated, and Yue could rely on Sakura's magic, Touya had gotten his powers back. He could talk to his mother again.
Touya's eyes glanced over at the window. He frowned.
And now that he had gotten his powers back, he could feel a powerful presence coming, building up for attack.
Akina wasn't the only person to be protected. Sakura was in danger also. Then again, Touya realized, Yue was there to protect her.
***********
The Card Mistress was stronger than he thought. He lurked in the shadows outside the Kinomoto house, staying well out of the moonlight. He hadn't realized that she would be this strong already. One creature should have taken eliminated the baby. He would have to try harder. Narrowing cold eyes, he planned his next move. The baby needed to be destroyed. And the only way to do that easily was to actually meet the Card Mistress.
**********
Author's Notes:
Whew! I am sorry that it took so long to write this chapter. I will try to churn out more chapters. I know there wasn't alot of action in this chapter, mainly character thoughts. But things will pick up. And Yue and Sakura are growing closer. ^_^
Thank you so much for the reviews. I really really really appreciated them. I hope you please review again, because I would love to hear your comments. I could answer a few questions you have about my story also.
If you are interested in Y/S fanfiction, I suggest you go to Abby McD's website at http://www.geocities.com/melon_lolli/Moon_and_Star. Special thanks to Abby for helping with this chapter.
Maybe I should give you all a sneak preview on the next chapter? ^_~
Coming up: Old friends of Sakura's come back to Tomeda and as more attacks happen, Sakura meets a strange person.
How's that? Hopefully it will interest you. Well...thank you so much for reading, and please review.
~Ice Lady~
April 20, 2002
Author: Ice Lady
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own Cardcaptor Sakura.
Ice Lady: Hi, again! Thank you so much for the reviews! I am really happy that you all enjoyed my fic. I am sorry this chapter took so long. My teachers insist on piling project after project on me, but I will try to write more often. Here's the next chapter!
**********
Chapter 2-Shadows in the Night
Kinomoto Touya hadn't gotten a decent night sleep for a few days. He could have sworn the baby was purposely nocturnal to annoy him. The baby was wailing at the top of her lungs at the moment. He groaned and called out: "Kaijuu! Can't you turn that thing off?"
Yukito chuckled next to him, putting down the book he had been reading. "You aren't a baby person, are you, Toya? Sakura-chan and Akina-chan are cute."
Touya rolled his eyes. "Not when she's screaming so loud. And then there is the baby."
Both listened as there was a crash and the stuffed toy cursed. "Kero-chan!" The kaijuu shrieked.
"Sorry! I was just trying to help!" Kero retorted back. "Maybe if your voice didn't sound so moronic, the baby would like you!"
Both Touya and Yukito winced. "Wrong move." Touya murmured.
"KERO-CHAN!" His sister's shrill voice shook the walls. "My voice doesn't sound moronic! Get out of my room, until you learn some manners!"
"You should take your own advice!" Kero yelled.
A loud bang resounded throughout the house as the door to Sakura's room was flung open, followed by a dull thud as Kero was thrown mercilessly out of the room. An echoing bang followed as Sakura slammed her door shut, leaving a pouty stuffed animal grumbling in the upstairs hall.
Yukito looked at Touya. "Sakura-chan must be under a lot of stress."
Touya smirked. "That's an understatement."
Sakura huffed at the nerve Kero had. Her voice didn't sound moronic! Sakura decided hotly that Kero wouldn't get any pudding for a week. She frowned at the door, then turned back to the crib where Akina lay.
The poor little girl was still crying. Sakura's anger melted away, and tender concern filled her heart. Akina had no reason to be so upset. Sakura walked over to the crib and smiled down warmly at the infant before picking her up.
Sakura carried the baby over to the windowseat and sat down, rocking her gently. "Don't cry, Akina-chan. Are you hungry? No, no, that can't be it. And I just changed you a few minutes ago, so your diaper can't be dirty. Ummm...maybe you miss your okaa-san? Don't worry. I am sure she will be okay." Sakura paused, looking up at the moon, the light spilling over the sakura tree in the yard.
Sakura wondered what else to say to comfort Akina. "Ummm...I don't have my okaa-san either. But I'm not sad. Onii-chan said that she went to a beautiful place where she is happy and watches over us. Mothers are good at that. They will watch over you and protect you." Sakura looked down at the now-silent baby, who was watching her with green eyes.
Sakura smiled. "Since your okaa-san isn't here, I guess I will be your mother. Don't worry, because I will watch over you and protect you. I'm sure that your mother would want that for you." Sakura tucked the pink blanet more firmly around the baby so Akina wouldn't get chilled.
"You are such a cute baby. If I had a baby, I would want her to be just like you. You have such pretty eyes, and a such beautiful name. Akina-chan, Akina-chan, Akina-chan." She sang. Akina giggled as Sakura cradled her back and forth.
"Do you like my singing? My voice doesn't sound moronic to you." Sakura hummed a tune, then paused in confusion. Where was that from? She looked out the window at the sakura tree. The meadow in her dream had a tree like that. Her dream! The lullaby she had hummed was the tune she heard in her dream.
Sakura began to sing the lullaby softly to the infant in her arms. It was a beautiful song. A wordless melody that conveyed thousands upon thousands of emotions. Sakura glanced down at Akina. The baby's green eyes were drooping with sleep.
Sakura continued to sing, gazing around her bedroom. Her eyes landed on a picture of Syaoran. She smiled sadly, memories drifting to her. She missed him with a dull ache in her heart, that lessened with time, and his memory grew more fond with each day. She knew that he was in a better place now. She could remember him with happiness and not pain. She had stopped crying over him ever since....
Ever since Yue had talked to her.
**********Flashback
Moonlight shone on Sakura as she sat on the cold floor, leaning against her bed. She was exhausted and her heart hurt with sharp grief. She couldn't and didn't want to stop crying. The image of Syaoran dying in her arms kept coming back to her. The mental picture that appeared every time she closed her eyes. She sniffed and wiped another tear. It was her fault that Syaoran had died. He reassured her that she wasn't to blame, but she knew that if she had only came sooner he would have never gotten wounded. Sakura remembered the look in his eyes. Relief that she was alive, regret that he couldn't be with her any longer, pain from the injury. Sakura felt a fresh wave of tears coming and her throat closed up painfully. Her thoughts were interrupted as Yue's solemn voice asked, "May I come in, Mistress?"
Sakura twisted around and peered over her bed. Yue was standing at the open door, eyes studying her. "Yue-san! Of course!" She stumbled up, scrubbing her cheeks as best she could. She felt so childish and weak. Her clothes were wrinkled and rumpled, hair messy, and her face was tear-stained. Yue must think I am a poor mistress compared to Clow Reed, Sakura thought. Sakura couldn't imagine Clow-san crying.
Yue walked in, stopping before Sakura, looking down at her. Sakura swallowed. She must look awful. "Are you going to be alright, Mistress?" He inquired, violet eyes full of concern.
Sakura smiled weakly. "I really don't want to be alright, Yue-san." She continued at Yue's questioning look. "I mean, I don't want to just forget him and move on with my life! Just shrug, say 'Oh, well', and walk away. It would be dishonoring him!" Her voice broke and she covered her face with her hands, trying hard not to cry. "But at the same time, I know I am worrying everyone and I should pretend to be happy. I probably look like a fool to you."
She raised her head as Yue laid a hand on her shoulder. He said, "I know it must be hard for you. I do not see you as a fool, but as a strong person who must deal with hardships. Syaoran means more to you than ever because you lost him."
Sakura broke away from Yue, her green eyes shining with unshed tears. "Oh, really!" She choked out, accusation in her voice. "Well...what should I do with this?" She turned and opened a drawer, throwing out a few clothes. She found what she was looking for and tossed it at Yue. "Well? What do you make of that?" She challenged.
Yue caught the small box and opened it. Inside, snug in a velvet blanket, shining in the moonlight was a ring. He inhaled sharply.
"There are cherry blossoms engraved on the outside of the ring," whispered Sakura, the image of the ring etched permamently in her mind's eye. "On the inside of it Syaoran wrote..." Sakura trailed off, overcome by tears. "Meiling-chan told me that he bought it in secret. He was going to propose to me the day after he died." She stated, trying to keep emotion from her voice.
Yue stared at the ring. Then he glanced up at Sakura, closed the case with a snap and set it on her desk silently. He turned to a sobbing Sakura and embraced her. Sakura cried into his sleeve. "I would have said yes, Yue...I would have said yes.."
He held her, arms wrapped securely around her, stroking her hair comfortly. "Shhhh...I know..." He whispered. "Just cry."
Sakura cried, letting her tears fall, her heart bursting with pain. She was aware of little, but she knew that it was Yue holding her, and she thankful for him. She listened as Yue told her: "It is hard, Sakura, to let go of someone you love. But think of Syaoran, think of how he loved you enough to want to propose to you. Do you think he would want you to be sad? He would want you to be happy. He will understand if you stop crying. Just remember your best memories of him."
Sakura tilted her head, looking into Yue's eyes. "Have you lost someone you held dear?" She blurted out. "Did you just let them die and not do anything about it, Yue?" She realized what she just said and instantly regretted her words. "I'm sorry, Yue-san..."
Yue shook his head. "It's alright. It was hard for me. But now that I think about it, Mistress..." He hesitated. "If I did not let Clow Reed go, I would have never gotten to know you."
Sakura smiled through her tears. She threw her arms around him and hugged him. "Thank you, Yue-san." She whispered.
Yue returned her hug. "Thank you, Mis-Sakura-sama."
**********End flashback
Sakura sighed and stopped singing. What Yue had said made her happy and helped her. She glanced down at Akina. The baby was sleeping soundly, face lit by moonlight. Her little fists clenched at the blanket wrapped around her. She appeared to be dreaming a pleasant dream, for a content smile graced her tiny features.
Sakura smiled and stood up. When Akina awoke, she would be hungry. Sakura might as well prepare some milk for her. Sakura strode over to her door and opened it. Kero was nowhere in sight. Just as well if he was going to be rude to her. Sakura padded down the stairs, passing the door to her father's library, wondering if Yue was in there.
**********
Yue was seated on one of the chairs in the library. He thumbed through a worn book, moonlight glimmering around him, setting a silver glow to his wings and hair. He held the book with great care.
It was odd to be in a separate body, Yue mused. He didn't have to contanstly change forms and waste energy. He was able to see his mistress more often.
His mistress. Kinomoto Sakura. A different matter all entirely. He had watched her grow into a very pretty young woman over the years. She grew stronger with her magic. Yue was proud to be her guardian, not that she really needed a guardian. But even as she grew older, her cheerfulness and her concern for others stuck with her. Until Clow's descendent died.
It was amazing to Yue the change in Sakura. She withdrew into herself, not smiling or talking. Sakura seemed to be unreachable. Yue wondered why she didn't stop crying. Then it came to him and he saw Sakura in a new light. Yue had done the same thing when Clow died. He didn't want to move on either.
Yue was shocked that Syaoran was going to propose to Sakura. But he shouldn't have been surprised though. Everyone had known sooner or later Syaoran would have asked Sakura.
Yue paused at that thought.
Why should he have been stunned then?
He shook his head to clear the question away and looked down at the book he held in his hands. He smiled. He remembered when Sakura gave him this book. The day after he had consoled Sakura.
**********Another Flashback ^_^
Yue was reading in Fujitaka's library when he heard the light knock on the door. He glanced up from the book and called out, "Come in." The door opened and Sakura descended the stairs, stopping in front of Yue.
Yue closed his book and stood up. "How are you feeling today, Sakura-sama?" He asked politely.
Sakura smiled. "Much better. Thanks to you, Yue-san."
Yue nodded, not knowing what to say to that.
Sakura hesitated, then, with a faint blush on her cheeks, held out a book. "I...uh...wanted to give this to you. For helping me. Kero-chan said you like to read, so I bought this for you. I don't know if you will like it or not..." Sakura trailed off, nervously handing the book to Yue.
Yue was moved that Sakura had thought of him. He inspected the book Sakura had given him. Yue looked up at Sakura, who was anxious to hear his comment. "I wanted to read this book for a while, Sakura-sama. Thank you." He smiled at her.
Sakura reddened, then stammered good-bye, and retreated out of the library, leaving a surprised Yue staring after her.
**********End Flashback
Yue opened the book he held with great care in his hands to the front page. Carefully written in beautiful handwriting was:
"To Yue-san,
Thank you for comforting me. I will remember Syaoran with happiness, because you helped me. And I am really happy to have gotten know you. I consider you a wonderful friend, and I hope you think of me the same way. Thank you.
Love,
Sakura."
Yue smiled at the handwriting, then closed the book, staring at the cover. He had read it over and over, practically memorizing the contents. It was special to him.
Over the weeks that followed Sakura's gift, his mistress always gave him a present when she went shopping. He cherished each one. He nearly torn Cerberus apart when Yue found out he had used a page for a napkin when eating pudding. Sakura stopped the fight just in time. Cerberus left the scene, muttering that Yue always treasured books when Clow gave them.
Yue was shocked at that statement. He had, in the past when Clow was alive, always held dear the books his former master gave him. And now he was valuing Sakura's gifts. What did that mean?
He started in shock as he felt Sakura release her wand. Why did she do that? Yue stood up, pushing the chair back, and setting the book gently aside. He could hear the baby crying and a crash in the kitchen.
Sakura screamed then, and he raced up the stairs.
**********
In the kitchen, Sakura laid the sleeping baby down in the little basket Touya had made for that purpose. She gazed at Akina tenderly for a minute. Then Sakura turned and began to heat up some formula. She had went shopping with her father before he went on a business trip and bought some supplies a few days ago.
Sakura was humming her lullaby as she reached for a bottle, when she felt a cold wind on her neck. She froze, then set the bottle down and turned slowly around. The window was up. And she hadn't opened it.
Sakura shivered, cold for some unknown reason, and reached out to shut the window, when a strong wind knocked her off her feet. Sakura crashed against the wall. She groaned and raised her head.
A shadowy creature floated into the room, a thick mass of blackness for its body. It snarled and twisted its blob of head around, gaze settling on Akina. It moved forward, and raised a tentacle, growling with malice.
Sakura gasped and fumbled for her star key. She released the wand. "Windy!" She yelled. Windy blew threw the creature; there was no effect.
Irritanted, it turned and advanced on her, knocking over the table. Sakura cried out as Akina was knocked off the table and fell through the air, shrieking.
Sakura pulled out the Float card, but before she could do anything, the creature grasped both her wrists, burning them. Sakura strugged to break free and save Akina from hitting the floor. Tears blurred her eyes as she heard the clatter of the basket on the floor. Akina's crying was cut off.
The creature formed another tentacle raising upward. The tentacle turned into a sharp blade. It hung in the air, then sliced downward. Sakura screamed as loud as she could as the blade slashed through the air at her.
Strong arms embraced her from behind, hands gripping her wrists and pulling them free from the creatures' claws. Sakura tipped back at the sudden loss of resistance into those arms. White wings wrapped around her.
Sakura turned and crushed Yue into a hug as the blade struck the shield he had formed. "Yue!" She cried out, shaking with relief. "Thank you so much, Yue-san!"
Yue had no time to answer as the creature howled in frustation. Sakura shuddered and thought quickly of a card. Yue held her against him as he folded back his wings and created ice shards. He threw them at the creature, which hissed in pain.
Sakura reluctantly pulled away from Yue and brought out the Light card. "Light!" She shouted and the brilliant Light floated out, illuminating the kitchen. The creature howled in fear and dissolved.
Sakura let out a sigh of relief and thanked Light, who smiled and returned to card form. Sakura bowed her head, tears dripping. "Akina..." She whispered.
Yue tilted his head. "Why are you crying? Akina is safe." He gestured to the baby sitting miraculously on the counter.
Sakura gasped and dashed over to the baby. Akina was laid in her basket, a bottle of warm formula in her mouth. "But...how? Yue, did you catch her?" She turned to Yue, who shook his head.
Sakura smiled, dismissing the question of how Akina was rescued. "As long as she is safe." Sakura replied.
Two pairs of feet stamped down the stairs and Touya and Yukito burst into the kitchen. Kero zoomed over to Sakura. "What happened? Are you alright? What's going on?" Touya demanded, looking at the overturned table, then noticing Sakura's burnt wrists. "You're hurt!"
Sakura glanced at her wrists. She had forgotten about the pain. Akina was more important. "I guess, I better bandage them." She commented, absently.
Kero frowned. "Those aren't ordinary burns."
Sakura wearily nodded her head, hugging Kero to her. "Some creature attacked me and Akina-chan. Yue-san saved me." She explained.
Yukito righted the table. "I am glad you are alright." He said. Kero flew over to Akina and inspected her. Akina let go of her bottle and extended a tiny hand out to Kero, grabbing a stubby arm. She gurgled happily as she shook Kero around by his paw. "Hey! Let me go!" Kero protested.
Sakura smiled at the sight, then shivered as she remembered what happened. "That monster was going to hurt Akina-chan. It knew that she was here. Akina-chan would have...been seriously hurt or worse if something hadn't caught her. I didn't protect her well." She finished, sadly.
Yue stepped forward. "How would you have known a creature would show up? You are not to blame." He reassured her. Sakura reached out and squeezed his hand. "Thanks, Yue-san."
Touya narrowed his eyes at Yue. Was it just him or was Yue and his little sister getting close? He cleared his throat and glanced around the room. His skin tingled with the familar feeling he always had when he saw...
He noticed a faint shimmer at the window. Kinomoto Nadeshiko smiled gently at him. "Uh...let's all get some sleep for now. We can figure out this...creature thing in the morning." Touya announced.
Sakura tiredly agreed. Then she realized that she was still holding Yue's hand. She quickly let go and murmured a good night to Yue. She was blushing, she knew it. Why was she blushing around Yue? She heard Yue wish her a good-night as she scooped up Akina and dashed up the stairs.
Yukito noticed Sakura's blush and chuckled to himself. "I will get some sleep as well." He said and headed up the stairs.
Yue was left with Touya, who was staring at the window. Yue nodded to Touya and exited the room.
Nadeshiko glided over to her son, her hair floating around her. "Okaa-san...hello." Touya greeted. "Did you save Akina?"
Nadeshiko shook her head, sending her hair rippling around her. "No, I felt that Sakura was in danger, but I saw Yue save her. Yue is a good person, Touya." She suggested the last statement meaningfully to Touya.
Touya frowned. "Are you saying that Yue is a good person for Sakura?" He muttered, going into overprotective older brother mode.
Nadeshiko laughed. "I wasn't going to say that, but you said it for me. What do you think?"
Touya furrowed his brows in thought. "Yue is very respectful of Sakura. And he protects whenever there is need..."
"And...?" Nadeshiko pressed on, a smile on her face.
"And he would be a good person for Sakura." Touya grumbled. "Who's attacking Sakura and Akina, Okaa-san?" He asked, partly to change the subject, partly out of concern.
Nadeshiko sighed. "I don't know. I can't change anything significant, except a few details..." She paused and seemed to be listening to something. Touya was puzzled. What did she mean about changing details? "I must go. Take care of yourself, Touya." She smiled, then vanished, leaving only a light scent of perfume.
Touya sighed. Nadeshiko always arrived unexpectantly and left just the same. Ever since, Yue and Yukito separated, and Yue could rely on Sakura's magic, Touya had gotten his powers back. He could talk to his mother again.
Touya's eyes glanced over at the window. He frowned.
And now that he had gotten his powers back, he could feel a powerful presence coming, building up for attack.
Akina wasn't the only person to be protected. Sakura was in danger also. Then again, Touya realized, Yue was there to protect her.
***********
The Card Mistress was stronger than he thought. He lurked in the shadows outside the Kinomoto house, staying well out of the moonlight. He hadn't realized that she would be this strong already. One creature should have taken eliminated the baby. He would have to try harder. Narrowing cold eyes, he planned his next move. The baby needed to be destroyed. And the only way to do that easily was to actually meet the Card Mistress.
**********
Author's Notes:
Whew! I am sorry that it took so long to write this chapter. I will try to churn out more chapters. I know there wasn't alot of action in this chapter, mainly character thoughts. But things will pick up. And Yue and Sakura are growing closer. ^_^
Thank you so much for the reviews. I really really really appreciated them. I hope you please review again, because I would love to hear your comments. I could answer a few questions you have about my story also.
If you are interested in Y/S fanfiction, I suggest you go to Abby McD's website at http://www.geocities.com/melon_lolli/Moon_and_Star. Special thanks to Abby for helping with this chapter.
Maybe I should give you all a sneak preview on the next chapter? ^_~
Coming up: Old friends of Sakura's come back to Tomeda and as more attacks happen, Sakura meets a strange person.
How's that? Hopefully it will interest you. Well...thank you so much for reading, and please review.
~Ice Lady~
April 20, 2002