Title: Echoing Lullaby
Author: Ice Lady
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own Cardcaptor Sakura, CLAMP does.
**********
Chapter 3- Meetings With Old Friends
**********
Sakura opened her eyes to the sunlight streaming through the blinds in her window. Sakura yawned and stretched, a peaceful smile on her lips. She had the dream again. Every night, she was at the meadow, listening to the lullaby. Sakura tried as she might to discern who the figures in the distance were. And the owner of the comforting hand, Sakura added to herself.
Sakura sat up, rubbing her eyes. Her mind started to process what needed to be done today. They needed more vegetables. Akina needed another bottle. And possibly more formula. She would have to go shopping. Sakura looked over at the crib.
The baby was sleeping soundly, softly breathing. Her arm was clutched around a stuffed toy that Yukito had bought for her. Sakura smiled. She had grown very attached to Akina. She loved the infant very much. Sakura tried to push away the nagging thoughts that Akina would be returned to her mother eventually.
Sakura twisted around to get a view of her pink alarm clock. "Hoehh???" She gasped, trying to be quiet, so Akina wouldn't be woken. She had overslept! Sakura immediately tried to get out of bed, but ended up on the floor, tangled in her sheets. Disentangling herself, she hurried to the closet and picked out a dress crammed in the back.
Sakura paused, and looked at the outfit she had pulled out. She bit her lip. She had wore this the day before Syaoran died. With trembling hands, she put it back, avoiding the collar of the dress. Syaoran had pinned a flower there, saying shyly to her that she was prettier than the flower. Sakura smiled wistfully, blinking back the instinctive tears forming in her eyes. She reached into her closet once more, drawing out a simple shirt and shorts.
"Why am I so afraid?" She asked herself sharply as she took another look at the pink dress, then closed the closet door. It was just a dress. Tomoyo had made it for her. It was a simple dress with a silver hemming...
Sakura halted and pressed a fist to her mouth to keep from yelling. She had been wearing the dress in the recurring dream! Sakura could feel the sting of tears in her eyes. The flowers in the meadow were the same type as the one Syaoran gave her.
Sakura stubbornly tried to ignore the tears building up. She shouldn't cry. She dressed quickly, tossing her nightclothes in the hamper with more than needed energy. She reached for her brush, accidently banging her bandaged wrist against the desk.
Sakura couldn't stop the brief scream. She dropped the brush with a clatter and held her wrist. The burns were throbbing with pain. She winced as she recalled last night. She had carefully washed the burns and wrapped them. Kero was right; these were no ordinary burns.
But Yue had saved her. Sakura slightly smiled, though her wrists were hurting. Yue always came through for her.
Kero popped up into her range of view. "Are you okay??" He asked, worrily. Sakura nodded. "I just was careless, Kero-chan." She explained, and forced a smile. The pain was fading.
Kero raised an eyebrow, then flashed a reassuring grin. "Since you awoke me and Akina-chan," Sakura realized that Akina was crying. "You can fix us some breakfast." He declared.
Sakura gave him a grateful smile. He had changed the subject deliberately for her. "Of course, Oh Stuffed Toy." She announced, striding over to the crib. She picked up Akina and soothed her. Akina quieted and peered up at the Card Mistress, with wide green eyes. The baby recognized who it was and gurgled happily, tiny hands tugging on her shirt.
Sakura giggled, then said to her, "Kero-chan is complaining again. I guess some pancakes will calm him?" She walked out of the room, Kero following her excitedly because he was getting pancakes.
Sakura entered the kitchen, not surprised to see her brother and Yukito sitting at the table. "Morning, Kaijuu." Touya smirked. "Why do you stomp around all the time?"
Sakura took a deep breath, reminding herself that Akina shouldn't hear bad words. Instead, she smiled at Yukito. "Good morning, Yukito-san."
Yukito smiled back, standing up. "How are you feeling, Sakura-chan?" He asked. Sakura could hear the concern in his voice.
"Much better. I am going to make Kero-chan some pancakes. Would you like some too, Yukito-san?" She asked, remembering long ago a few days before she captured the Watery Card, how she asked the same thing.
Yukito shook his head regretfully. "Sorry. I have to go visit a friend." He smiled at her and Touya, then left the kitchen. The front door opened and shut with a bang.
Sakura felt a little disappointed. She dismissed the feeling as Yue walked in. "Good morning, Yue-san!" She greeted him. Sakura realized that she was happy to see him.
Yue nodded in return.
Sakura sighed inwardly. He's not a morning person, Sakura thought.
Yue had walked into the kitchen to talk to Cerberus. He was worried about Sakura. He couldn't identify that...creature who attacked Sakura and the infant. It was odd, Yue mused. Usually you could tell what kind of sorcerer it was. But the monster was not made normally. Yue couldn't tell whether the sorcerer drew on the powers of Darkness, or anything. Instead, the creature was full of hate. Pure hatred.
And that hatred was against Sakura.
But Cerberus was more concerned about pancakes. Yue glanced over at Touya, surprised that Sakura's brother was studying him intently. Touya narrowed his eyes, as if warning him. About what? Yue thought.
"I have to go check on the apartment in a little while." Touya said. Yukito and Touya lived in an apartment across the town. They were staying at the house for now, since they were remodeling the apartment. "I'll go get ready." He stood and strided out of the room.
Sakura blinked, then sighed. She was still tired. She turned to Yue. "Sit down, Yue-san." She said.
Yue silently sat down at the table.
"Sakura! Aren't you going to make some pancakes?" Kero whined. Sakura scowled at him. Then she walked over to Yue. "I was wondering," Sakura said shyly, "If you would like to hold Akina-chan for me?"
Yue preferred not to hold the infant, but he saw the hopefulness in Sakura's eyes. "Very well." He replied. The baby was set carefully in his arms.
Sakura grinned happily. "Now for your pancakes, Kero-chan!" She declared and turned to the stove.
Yue looked down at the infant. She stared back at him, with green eyes. Then those eyes registered a flash of recognition of his appearance, and she squealed happily, reaching out and grasping his hair.
Kero was trying hard not to laugh at the surprised look on Yue's face.
Yue wasn't sure what to do, so he just held her. Studying the child, he took in her typical-of-babies' pale skin and her familiar green eyes. Green, such an usual color for those of Asian descent. Green eyes, that he was sure he had seen somewhere before. Eyes that reminded him of...Sakura. His eyes widened as he mentally compared the two sets of eyes. Their color were so similar to each other. Shaking his head, Yue tried to ignore the thought that everything reminded him of Sakura.
The baby giggled and continued to tugging on his hair. Yue allowed this. He didn't mind the baby too much. He glanced over to Sakura.
Sakura was flipping pancakes, humming a little tune. Yue noticed that her wrists were held high away from anything. A potent odor drew his attention away from his mistress. Yue looked down horrified to see that the infant was using her diaper.
Kero burst out laughing as Yue held Akina slightly away from him. Sakura turned at Kero's laughing and struggled not to giggle. "I think Akina-chan needs to be changed." She finally said, unable to keep the laughter from her voice. Akina was handed over to Sakura and the two of them left the room.
Yue glared at the laughing Kero. "I don't find it amusing, Cerberus." He said stiffly.
Kero stopped laughing to gasp in air. "But I do!" He replied.
Yue rolled his eyes. "Do you know of a monster created out of hate?" He asked, wanting to change the subject.
Kero stopped short, adjusting to the abrupt change in conversation. He frowned, deep in thought. "No...unless the sorcerer was a..." He trailed off, a confused look on his round face. "I can't remember! What's that term? Uh..."
Yue widened his eyes. "You can't remember either? I think something's blocking our memories." He looked over at the window where Sakura reported the monster came through. "Very odd. A creature made of hate..."
"A creature made of hate?"
Sakura's voice startled both of them. Yue turned to see a sober-looking Sakura standing in the doorway. She held the baby close to her. "Why...why would someone want to kill Akina?" Sakura asked, tightening her hold on the infant, as if someone would snatch it from her. "What is so important, so dangerous, about a little girl?"
"Sakura-chan..." Kero floated over to the Card Mistress and patted her on the back.
Sakura's head snapped up, her eyes shining with tears. A past image flitted briefly through her mind's eye. "The monster! I've seen it before!" She cried out.
Yue abruptly stood. "Where?"
Sakura's body was shaking, her eyes wide, seeing something not there.
Touya came into the room, instantly rushing over to his little sister. "Sakura? What's wrong?" He questioned.
Sakura drew in a breath shakily and raised her glance to Touya. "Syaoran..." She whispered.
"Syaoran?" All three of them exclaimed.
"The monster that attacked Akina-chan and me last night..." Sakura stated dully. "...was just like the one that killed Syaoran."
**********
The teacup dropped from her hand and shattered into fragments on the floor. Tea spilled and ran together with the shards of porcelain laying on the boards.
She ignored it and stepped around the mess, walking over to the window of her apartment. She drew back the curtain and stared out through the glass. Tomoeda spread out before her, under the clear blue sky. She closed her eyes and concentrated, searching for the person that had caught her attention.
The Card Mistress's power flickered in confusion.
She opened her eyes and looked down at her hands. Slender fingers curved from etched palms. She traced a scar on her left wrist, a mirror scar on the other. A reminder of her horrible past.
She clenched her fists, and her gaze turned to the wall, where a lone longbow leaned. It was time to meet the Card Mistress.
**********
Sakura sighed and sat up wearily. Images of the monster attacking her and Syaoran had been haunting her for the last half hour. Everything was so confusing.
She closed her eyes, and tried to clear her head. ~No more, Sakura.~ She told herself. ~You can't mope around. Akina-chan has to be protected.~
Sakura opened her eyes and stood up. "I'll be fine!" She said. She smiled to herself and was about to leave the room when the window opened.
Sakura froze, then slowly turned around in horror. She gaped as the glass panels slid up by themselves. "A g-ghost?!" She stammered and stepped back.
A cold gale of wind blew through her room, knocking items off her dresser. She yelped as the blast buffeted her against a wall. Covering her eyes from the gust, she released the Star wand and called for Shield.
The door burst open and her two guardians barged through, immediately rushing to her side. "Sakura! Are you okay?" Kero nearly shouted above the roaring wind. She nodded. "Where's Onii-chan?"
"Downstairs with Akina-chan!" Kero stopped shouting as the wind curiously died down. The three of them watched a creature oozed through the window, its dark mass forming tentacles to pull itself along.
It scanned the room, gaze stopping at Sakura. Yue protectively stepped in front of her, ice already forming in his hands. The creature glowed with a black aura. Kero looked over at Sakura, whose wrists were glowing with the same strange aura. She began to call for a card, when her wrists glowed brightly.
Sakura stifled her scream and dropped her wand, unable to hold it. Jolts of pain throbbed through her wrists. Yue turned at the sound, concerned, and the creature took that opportunity to attack him.
"Yue!" Sakura shrieked as Yue was knocked across the room by the force of the blow. She dashed over to her Moon Guardian and helped him sit up. "Are you alright?" She asked.
"I'm fine, Sakura-sama." Yue replied.
Sakura bit her lip. Yue had gotten hurt because of her. She frowned and turned to the creature. She wouldn't let Yue get hurt again!
Sakura retrieved her wand, pain forgotten, and released Light. The card cast a glow, causing the monster to fade away.
Sakura sighed and returned Light to card form. "Thank you, Kero-chan, Yue-san." She said.
Kero turned into his 'borrowed form' and floated up to her. "Are you okay?" He questioned.
She nodded, then turned to Yue. "I'm sorry you got hurt, Yue-san."
"I was just doing my duty, Sakura-sama." He replied, nonchalantly.
Sakura felt a pang of sadness, but brushed it away. She smiled. "Let's go see how Onii-chan is." She suggested and left the room.
Kero hung back, shooting an annoyed glare at Yue. "You could try to say that you just wanted to protect her." He retorted.
Yue looked puzzled. "But I was."
Kero shook his head. "Never mind, Yue." With that, he flew out of the room.
**********
Touya cradled Akina and looked up anxiously the staircase. When Sakura had screamed, Touya had nearly gone up there. But logic overrode instinct and he stayed downstairs to watch over the baby. Yue and the plush toy had raced up the stairs.
He sighed and glanced down at Akina. She smiled back up at him. He had to admit that she was kind of cute, though she seemed a lot like Sakura.
There was a pattering on the stairs and Sakura appeared. "Onii-chan!" She greeted him. "Are you okay? What happened?" He asked rapidly.
Sakura smiled reassurely at him. "I'm alright. A monster came through my window." She explained and took Akina. "Yue was hit, because of me." She said, somewhat sadly.
Touya threw a questioning look at Yue. Yue just stared back at him, silently affirming that he was alright.
Akina began to wail in Sakura's arms. "You're hungry, again?" She asked the baby. "Fine, fine. Let's get you some food. I'll be in the kitchen." She called over her shoulder, disappearing into the next room.
Kero was about to say something, when the doorbell rang. Yue and Kero both scattered, leaving Touya to answer the door.
Touya frowned and opened the door. "Yes? What do you-" He stopped short, staring at the two girls.
"Hello, Touya-san. Is Sakura-chan home?" Tomoyo asked politely. Beside her, Meiling set down a suitcase.
He nodded and swung the door wider open, letting them in. "She's feeding her baby. I'll go get her." He left the room.
"Her..." Tomoyo stammered.
"...baby??" Meiling finished weakly.
Kero peeked around the corner and saw who the guests were. "Hey! Tomoyo-chan!" He zoomed over to the girl. "How are you doing?"
"Sakura-chan...has a baby?" Tomoyo could only reply.
"Oh, that. It's been here a while." Kero said, vaguely.
Meiling's eyes widened and Tomoyo gasped as Sakura came into the room, carrying her baby.
"Tomoyo-chan! Meiling-chan!" She shouted cheerfully. "You're back!"
Silence followed her words as the two girls stared at the baby in her arms. Sakura blinked in confusion. Then...
"Oh, Sakura-chan! No wonder you were so depressed with Li-kun's death!" Tomoyo cried out.
"You were having Syaoran's baby!" Meiling announced, her words carrying to the kitchen, where Touya heard them.
Sakura blushed and ducked her head. "It's not like that!" She protested, but her two friends swarmed over her.
"The baby looks just like you! So cute!" Tomoyo observed, happily.
"Why didn't you tell us, Sakura-chan?" Meiling wondered.
Touya stormed out of the kitchen. "Sakura had ~who's~ baby??" He demanded. Kero burst out laughing. And Yue reappeared, looking slightly amused at the scene.
Sakura struggled to grasp control of the embarrassing situtation. "I didn't have Syaoran's baby!" She objected, her cheeks red.
"You ~better~ not have." Touya grumbled. He looked absolutely disgusted with the idea. Kero's face was bright red from laughing so hard. Yue bowed his head to keep his smile hidden.
Sakura sighed wearily. It was going to be a long day...
**********
Author's Notes:
*winces* It's been really, really, really long since I've updated. And I greatly apologize. It's been, what, nine months since the last chapter. I'm terribly sorry. I bet you thought I quit writing or something. Gomen nasai!
Thanks to all the reviewers out there! Your comments greatly made my day. Oh, Zenin...thanks for the review. I spent the next few minutes wondering how I achieved that balance. ^__^
A big heap of graditute goes out to Abby McD. for beta-ing this chapter for me. I highly suggest that you go visit her website site at http://www.geocities.com/melon_lolli and read her fic! Then join her Yahoo! Group. The girl is a wonderful writer!
I shall have the next chapter out very soon; I'm almost finished with it. In the meantime, please, please, please review!
~Ice Lady~
January 26, 2003
Author: Ice Lady
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own Cardcaptor Sakura, CLAMP does.
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Chapter 3- Meetings With Old Friends
**********
Sakura opened her eyes to the sunlight streaming through the blinds in her window. Sakura yawned and stretched, a peaceful smile on her lips. She had the dream again. Every night, she was at the meadow, listening to the lullaby. Sakura tried as she might to discern who the figures in the distance were. And the owner of the comforting hand, Sakura added to herself.
Sakura sat up, rubbing her eyes. Her mind started to process what needed to be done today. They needed more vegetables. Akina needed another bottle. And possibly more formula. She would have to go shopping. Sakura looked over at the crib.
The baby was sleeping soundly, softly breathing. Her arm was clutched around a stuffed toy that Yukito had bought for her. Sakura smiled. She had grown very attached to Akina. She loved the infant very much. Sakura tried to push away the nagging thoughts that Akina would be returned to her mother eventually.
Sakura twisted around to get a view of her pink alarm clock. "Hoehh???" She gasped, trying to be quiet, so Akina wouldn't be woken. She had overslept! Sakura immediately tried to get out of bed, but ended up on the floor, tangled in her sheets. Disentangling herself, she hurried to the closet and picked out a dress crammed in the back.
Sakura paused, and looked at the outfit she had pulled out. She bit her lip. She had wore this the day before Syaoran died. With trembling hands, she put it back, avoiding the collar of the dress. Syaoran had pinned a flower there, saying shyly to her that she was prettier than the flower. Sakura smiled wistfully, blinking back the instinctive tears forming in her eyes. She reached into her closet once more, drawing out a simple shirt and shorts.
"Why am I so afraid?" She asked herself sharply as she took another look at the pink dress, then closed the closet door. It was just a dress. Tomoyo had made it for her. It was a simple dress with a silver hemming...
Sakura halted and pressed a fist to her mouth to keep from yelling. She had been wearing the dress in the recurring dream! Sakura could feel the sting of tears in her eyes. The flowers in the meadow were the same type as the one Syaoran gave her.
Sakura stubbornly tried to ignore the tears building up. She shouldn't cry. She dressed quickly, tossing her nightclothes in the hamper with more than needed energy. She reached for her brush, accidently banging her bandaged wrist against the desk.
Sakura couldn't stop the brief scream. She dropped the brush with a clatter and held her wrist. The burns were throbbing with pain. She winced as she recalled last night. She had carefully washed the burns and wrapped them. Kero was right; these were no ordinary burns.
But Yue had saved her. Sakura slightly smiled, though her wrists were hurting. Yue always came through for her.
Kero popped up into her range of view. "Are you okay??" He asked, worrily. Sakura nodded. "I just was careless, Kero-chan." She explained, and forced a smile. The pain was fading.
Kero raised an eyebrow, then flashed a reassuring grin. "Since you awoke me and Akina-chan," Sakura realized that Akina was crying. "You can fix us some breakfast." He declared.
Sakura gave him a grateful smile. He had changed the subject deliberately for her. "Of course, Oh Stuffed Toy." She announced, striding over to the crib. She picked up Akina and soothed her. Akina quieted and peered up at the Card Mistress, with wide green eyes. The baby recognized who it was and gurgled happily, tiny hands tugging on her shirt.
Sakura giggled, then said to her, "Kero-chan is complaining again. I guess some pancakes will calm him?" She walked out of the room, Kero following her excitedly because he was getting pancakes.
Sakura entered the kitchen, not surprised to see her brother and Yukito sitting at the table. "Morning, Kaijuu." Touya smirked. "Why do you stomp around all the time?"
Sakura took a deep breath, reminding herself that Akina shouldn't hear bad words. Instead, she smiled at Yukito. "Good morning, Yukito-san."
Yukito smiled back, standing up. "How are you feeling, Sakura-chan?" He asked. Sakura could hear the concern in his voice.
"Much better. I am going to make Kero-chan some pancakes. Would you like some too, Yukito-san?" She asked, remembering long ago a few days before she captured the Watery Card, how she asked the same thing.
Yukito shook his head regretfully. "Sorry. I have to go visit a friend." He smiled at her and Touya, then left the kitchen. The front door opened and shut with a bang.
Sakura felt a little disappointed. She dismissed the feeling as Yue walked in. "Good morning, Yue-san!" She greeted him. Sakura realized that she was happy to see him.
Yue nodded in return.
Sakura sighed inwardly. He's not a morning person, Sakura thought.
Yue had walked into the kitchen to talk to Cerberus. He was worried about Sakura. He couldn't identify that...creature who attacked Sakura and the infant. It was odd, Yue mused. Usually you could tell what kind of sorcerer it was. But the monster was not made normally. Yue couldn't tell whether the sorcerer drew on the powers of Darkness, or anything. Instead, the creature was full of hate. Pure hatred.
And that hatred was against Sakura.
But Cerberus was more concerned about pancakes. Yue glanced over at Touya, surprised that Sakura's brother was studying him intently. Touya narrowed his eyes, as if warning him. About what? Yue thought.
"I have to go check on the apartment in a little while." Touya said. Yukito and Touya lived in an apartment across the town. They were staying at the house for now, since they were remodeling the apartment. "I'll go get ready." He stood and strided out of the room.
Sakura blinked, then sighed. She was still tired. She turned to Yue. "Sit down, Yue-san." She said.
Yue silently sat down at the table.
"Sakura! Aren't you going to make some pancakes?" Kero whined. Sakura scowled at him. Then she walked over to Yue. "I was wondering," Sakura said shyly, "If you would like to hold Akina-chan for me?"
Yue preferred not to hold the infant, but he saw the hopefulness in Sakura's eyes. "Very well." He replied. The baby was set carefully in his arms.
Sakura grinned happily. "Now for your pancakes, Kero-chan!" She declared and turned to the stove.
Yue looked down at the infant. She stared back at him, with green eyes. Then those eyes registered a flash of recognition of his appearance, and she squealed happily, reaching out and grasping his hair.
Kero was trying hard not to laugh at the surprised look on Yue's face.
Yue wasn't sure what to do, so he just held her. Studying the child, he took in her typical-of-babies' pale skin and her familiar green eyes. Green, such an usual color for those of Asian descent. Green eyes, that he was sure he had seen somewhere before. Eyes that reminded him of...Sakura. His eyes widened as he mentally compared the two sets of eyes. Their color were so similar to each other. Shaking his head, Yue tried to ignore the thought that everything reminded him of Sakura.
The baby giggled and continued to tugging on his hair. Yue allowed this. He didn't mind the baby too much. He glanced over to Sakura.
Sakura was flipping pancakes, humming a little tune. Yue noticed that her wrists were held high away from anything. A potent odor drew his attention away from his mistress. Yue looked down horrified to see that the infant was using her diaper.
Kero burst out laughing as Yue held Akina slightly away from him. Sakura turned at Kero's laughing and struggled not to giggle. "I think Akina-chan needs to be changed." She finally said, unable to keep the laughter from her voice. Akina was handed over to Sakura and the two of them left the room.
Yue glared at the laughing Kero. "I don't find it amusing, Cerberus." He said stiffly.
Kero stopped laughing to gasp in air. "But I do!" He replied.
Yue rolled his eyes. "Do you know of a monster created out of hate?" He asked, wanting to change the subject.
Kero stopped short, adjusting to the abrupt change in conversation. He frowned, deep in thought. "No...unless the sorcerer was a..." He trailed off, a confused look on his round face. "I can't remember! What's that term? Uh..."
Yue widened his eyes. "You can't remember either? I think something's blocking our memories." He looked over at the window where Sakura reported the monster came through. "Very odd. A creature made of hate..."
"A creature made of hate?"
Sakura's voice startled both of them. Yue turned to see a sober-looking Sakura standing in the doorway. She held the baby close to her. "Why...why would someone want to kill Akina?" Sakura asked, tightening her hold on the infant, as if someone would snatch it from her. "What is so important, so dangerous, about a little girl?"
"Sakura-chan..." Kero floated over to the Card Mistress and patted her on the back.
Sakura's head snapped up, her eyes shining with tears. A past image flitted briefly through her mind's eye. "The monster! I've seen it before!" She cried out.
Yue abruptly stood. "Where?"
Sakura's body was shaking, her eyes wide, seeing something not there.
Touya came into the room, instantly rushing over to his little sister. "Sakura? What's wrong?" He questioned.
Sakura drew in a breath shakily and raised her glance to Touya. "Syaoran..." She whispered.
"Syaoran?" All three of them exclaimed.
"The monster that attacked Akina-chan and me last night..." Sakura stated dully. "...was just like the one that killed Syaoran."
**********
The teacup dropped from her hand and shattered into fragments on the floor. Tea spilled and ran together with the shards of porcelain laying on the boards.
She ignored it and stepped around the mess, walking over to the window of her apartment. She drew back the curtain and stared out through the glass. Tomoeda spread out before her, under the clear blue sky. She closed her eyes and concentrated, searching for the person that had caught her attention.
The Card Mistress's power flickered in confusion.
She opened her eyes and looked down at her hands. Slender fingers curved from etched palms. She traced a scar on her left wrist, a mirror scar on the other. A reminder of her horrible past.
She clenched her fists, and her gaze turned to the wall, where a lone longbow leaned. It was time to meet the Card Mistress.
**********
Sakura sighed and sat up wearily. Images of the monster attacking her and Syaoran had been haunting her for the last half hour. Everything was so confusing.
She closed her eyes, and tried to clear her head. ~No more, Sakura.~ She told herself. ~You can't mope around. Akina-chan has to be protected.~
Sakura opened her eyes and stood up. "I'll be fine!" She said. She smiled to herself and was about to leave the room when the window opened.
Sakura froze, then slowly turned around in horror. She gaped as the glass panels slid up by themselves. "A g-ghost?!" She stammered and stepped back.
A cold gale of wind blew through her room, knocking items off her dresser. She yelped as the blast buffeted her against a wall. Covering her eyes from the gust, she released the Star wand and called for Shield.
The door burst open and her two guardians barged through, immediately rushing to her side. "Sakura! Are you okay?" Kero nearly shouted above the roaring wind. She nodded. "Where's Onii-chan?"
"Downstairs with Akina-chan!" Kero stopped shouting as the wind curiously died down. The three of them watched a creature oozed through the window, its dark mass forming tentacles to pull itself along.
It scanned the room, gaze stopping at Sakura. Yue protectively stepped in front of her, ice already forming in his hands. The creature glowed with a black aura. Kero looked over at Sakura, whose wrists were glowing with the same strange aura. She began to call for a card, when her wrists glowed brightly.
Sakura stifled her scream and dropped her wand, unable to hold it. Jolts of pain throbbed through her wrists. Yue turned at the sound, concerned, and the creature took that opportunity to attack him.
"Yue!" Sakura shrieked as Yue was knocked across the room by the force of the blow. She dashed over to her Moon Guardian and helped him sit up. "Are you alright?" She asked.
"I'm fine, Sakura-sama." Yue replied.
Sakura bit her lip. Yue had gotten hurt because of her. She frowned and turned to the creature. She wouldn't let Yue get hurt again!
Sakura retrieved her wand, pain forgotten, and released Light. The card cast a glow, causing the monster to fade away.
Sakura sighed and returned Light to card form. "Thank you, Kero-chan, Yue-san." She said.
Kero turned into his 'borrowed form' and floated up to her. "Are you okay?" He questioned.
She nodded, then turned to Yue. "I'm sorry you got hurt, Yue-san."
"I was just doing my duty, Sakura-sama." He replied, nonchalantly.
Sakura felt a pang of sadness, but brushed it away. She smiled. "Let's go see how Onii-chan is." She suggested and left the room.
Kero hung back, shooting an annoyed glare at Yue. "You could try to say that you just wanted to protect her." He retorted.
Yue looked puzzled. "But I was."
Kero shook his head. "Never mind, Yue." With that, he flew out of the room.
**********
Touya cradled Akina and looked up anxiously the staircase. When Sakura had screamed, Touya had nearly gone up there. But logic overrode instinct and he stayed downstairs to watch over the baby. Yue and the plush toy had raced up the stairs.
He sighed and glanced down at Akina. She smiled back up at him. He had to admit that she was kind of cute, though she seemed a lot like Sakura.
There was a pattering on the stairs and Sakura appeared. "Onii-chan!" She greeted him. "Are you okay? What happened?" He asked rapidly.
Sakura smiled reassurely at him. "I'm alright. A monster came through my window." She explained and took Akina. "Yue was hit, because of me." She said, somewhat sadly.
Touya threw a questioning look at Yue. Yue just stared back at him, silently affirming that he was alright.
Akina began to wail in Sakura's arms. "You're hungry, again?" She asked the baby. "Fine, fine. Let's get you some food. I'll be in the kitchen." She called over her shoulder, disappearing into the next room.
Kero was about to say something, when the doorbell rang. Yue and Kero both scattered, leaving Touya to answer the door.
Touya frowned and opened the door. "Yes? What do you-" He stopped short, staring at the two girls.
"Hello, Touya-san. Is Sakura-chan home?" Tomoyo asked politely. Beside her, Meiling set down a suitcase.
He nodded and swung the door wider open, letting them in. "She's feeding her baby. I'll go get her." He left the room.
"Her..." Tomoyo stammered.
"...baby??" Meiling finished weakly.
Kero peeked around the corner and saw who the guests were. "Hey! Tomoyo-chan!" He zoomed over to the girl. "How are you doing?"
"Sakura-chan...has a baby?" Tomoyo could only reply.
"Oh, that. It's been here a while." Kero said, vaguely.
Meiling's eyes widened and Tomoyo gasped as Sakura came into the room, carrying her baby.
"Tomoyo-chan! Meiling-chan!" She shouted cheerfully. "You're back!"
Silence followed her words as the two girls stared at the baby in her arms. Sakura blinked in confusion. Then...
"Oh, Sakura-chan! No wonder you were so depressed with Li-kun's death!" Tomoyo cried out.
"You were having Syaoran's baby!" Meiling announced, her words carrying to the kitchen, where Touya heard them.
Sakura blushed and ducked her head. "It's not like that!" She protested, but her two friends swarmed over her.
"The baby looks just like you! So cute!" Tomoyo observed, happily.
"Why didn't you tell us, Sakura-chan?" Meiling wondered.
Touya stormed out of the kitchen. "Sakura had ~who's~ baby??" He demanded. Kero burst out laughing. And Yue reappeared, looking slightly amused at the scene.
Sakura struggled to grasp control of the embarrassing situtation. "I didn't have Syaoran's baby!" She objected, her cheeks red.
"You ~better~ not have." Touya grumbled. He looked absolutely disgusted with the idea. Kero's face was bright red from laughing so hard. Yue bowed his head to keep his smile hidden.
Sakura sighed wearily. It was going to be a long day...
**********
Author's Notes:
*winces* It's been really, really, really long since I've updated. And I greatly apologize. It's been, what, nine months since the last chapter. I'm terribly sorry. I bet you thought I quit writing or something. Gomen nasai!
Thanks to all the reviewers out there! Your comments greatly made my day. Oh, Zenin...thanks for the review. I spent the next few minutes wondering how I achieved that balance. ^__^
A big heap of graditute goes out to Abby McD. for beta-ing this chapter for me. I highly suggest that you go visit her website site at http://www.geocities.com/melon_lolli and read her fic! Then join her Yahoo! Group. The girl is a wonderful writer!
I shall have the next chapter out very soon; I'm almost finished with it. In the meantime, please, please, please review!
~Ice Lady~
January 26, 2003