Alternate Reality Ending for: Leigh Rose's "A Little Lost"
Chapter Three (A.R)
A.N. The first chapter of MY fic! ^.^
Disclaimer: NO, CCS and SM are NOT mine! *sulk*
RIIINNNNGGGG!
Sakura started awake at the shrill sound. After turning off the alarm clock, she got up
and went to the bathroom. Wistfully, she thought, *If I was back at home, when Touya and Otousan
were alive, Kero would wake me up and mutter that he didn't understand how hard it was to get up
in the morning...* Her face sobered. *But... not anymore...* Sakura stifled a sob.
Someone knocked on her room's door. Seiji's voice could be heard from the other side of
it. "Sakura? I've got your new school uniform."
Pasting a bright smile on her face, Sakura opened the door.
Seiji immediately noticed that her smile was fake. She had clearly been crying. "What's
wrong?" Seiji asked concernedly.
Sakura bit her lip. "N-nothing," she stammered, on the verge of tears. To her great
surprise, Seiji suddenly swept her in his arms, so that her face was pressed on his muscular
chest.
"Shh... Sometimes it's alright to cry," he murmured huskily into her ear. The tears
finally came. Sakura wept, Seiji's arms encircling her small waist, and hers wrapped around his
neck.
(A.N.: No. I'm NOT going to put Seiji with Sakura. I like S+S the way it is.)
*School has never been as boring as this, even at Crossroads High!* Serena thought grumpily,
doodling on her notebook. *Gym is next. I'm so bad at that! I HATE school!*
The bell rang, and the students flocked out of the classroom, heading for the lockers.
Luckily, Serena had gym period with Sakura. *At least I'll have someone familiar to talk to,*
Serena thought, taking her gym stuff, and headed towards the girls' changing room. She noticed
Sakura amongst the crowd of students. "Hey! Sakura-chan!" Serena called out to Sakura, who stopped
so that Serena could catch up with her.
"Serena! Oh, don't we have gym class together?"
"Exactly! Let's go!" Serena skipped to the changing room, Sakura right behind her.
While the two girls changed, Sakura questioned Serena. "Do you like gym?"
Serena winced. "I hate it. Why? Do you like it?"
"It was my favorite subject at Seijou High."
"Oh." Serena couldn't understand how anyone could like gym.
Sakura, meanwhile, couldn't wait till gym class started.
"Okay, class. Today, we're going to practice acrobatics and somersaults. Why not have
everyone show their best moves?" The teacher called out students in alphabetical order. Sakura
started stretching expertly, startling Serena.
"Kinomoto Sakura, you're next."
Sakura stepped onto the mattress confidently. She astonished everyone, including the
teacher by doing a smooth double backwards flip, and other extremely difficult moves. Finally,
she finished with a perfect somersault.
The students and teacher clapped admiringly. Sakura flashed them a modest smile, and
went to rejoin Serena. Serena eyed her with awe. "You're incredible!"
"Thanks. But I'm not as good as Syaoran," Sakura said.
Serena looked at her curiously. "Who's Syaoran?"
Sakura's face darkened. "He's..." she trailed off, the abruptly said, "I don't want to talk
about it right now."
"Okay...." Serena was startled by the tone of her voice.
At the end of school, Serena and Sakura met and slowly walked to Yaten's house. Suddenly, a male
voice behind them out Sakura's name. "Kinomoto-san! Wait up!" Mieko Honoka, the captain of the
soccer team, caught up with them. He was quite good looking, the girls noted. Mieko had dark teal
hair, and light forest green eyes. (A.N. For those who know Fuushigi Yuugi, think of Tamahome
with short hair, and a little younger! ^-^) He was tall, athletic, and smart. "Hey," he addressed
Sakura, "Do you want to see a movie with me on Saturday?"
Without thinking, Sakura answered him. "Oh, okay."
Mieko flashed her a charming smile. "Great, I'll pick you up at seven. Bye!"
When he was out of sight, Serena squealed excitedly. "Omigosh! You just got a date with
one of the hottest guys in the school! And it's your first day!"
"Huh? Of course not! He probably just invited me because he wants to be friends with me!" Sakura protested. "And anyways, you have a lot of admirers! Pay attention to the poor guys!"
"So do you!" Serena shot back amusedly.
"I do?" Sakura looked confused. Serena simply laughed, rolled her eyes and continued
walking.
The phone rang. Syaoran picked it up hurriedly. "Did you locate where Sakura is?"
"I'm sorry, Syaoran, but no such luck."
"Where can she be?!" Syaoran was frustrated.
"You're stinking rich, and your family is very influential in China! Why don't you phone some
people with lots of political influence of your acquaintance and ask them to research?"
Syaoran smacked his forehead in annoyance. "Why didn't I think of that before?! If I
really need to, I can even bribe the people who know where she is!"
"Exactly. Mou, if you weren't so restless and stopped to think for a moment, you'd have thought
of that a long time ago."
"I gotta go now. Bye." Syaoran hung up.
Meilin snapped open her cellular phone. Syaoran had just called her and asked her to contact a
man of great influence of Japan. *I hope we can find Sakura-chan soon. Syaoran hasn't rested in
days...* the
black-haired girl sighed sadly. Swiftly, she dialed the number.
"Moshi-moshi?"
"May I speak to Mr. Honoka, please?"
"Of course, hold on a minute please."
Meilin tapped her feet on the floor impatiently.
"Hello?"
"Is this Mr. Honoka?" Meilin asked quickly.
"Yes."
"Well, hello, I'm Li Meilin. I am the cousin of the leader of the Li Clan."
"Oh! How may I help you, Ms. Li?"
"Just Meilin, please. My cousin, Li Syaoran, is looking for a girl named Kinomoto Sakura. I'm
sure you must have heard of her in the news, right?
"Of course! The one who was almost killed?"
"Hai. She's the one"
"Is Li Syaoran the leader of the Li Clan?"
"Mhm. Your family, the Honoka, have always done business with my family. Once, my
great-grandfather had done a big favor for your great-grandfather, ne?"
"Correct."
"So now, the Li Clan is asking the Honoka for a favor in return that they have never asked for
yet. Will you grant me and Syaoran that favor?"
"Of course. What is it?"
"To track down Sakura, and tell us her location." *Please accept, please accept...* Meilin prayed
silently.
There was a pause on the other line, then... "You do realize that if I was found out,
that there would be some... inconveniences?"
"Yes, but your family is in great debt to mine."
"...Very well, then. I will contact you when I find out. Have a good day, Ms. Meilin."
"Arigatou, have a good day as well." Meilin hung up, jubilant. *YES! Wait till I tell Syaoran!*
She thought excitedly. Quickly, she dialed Syaoran's cellular phone number.
//Brriiingg// Syaoran picked up his forest green hand phone, and snapped it open.
"Moshi-moshi?"
"SYAORAN!"
"Meilin! Quick, tell me, did he accept?"
"YES! I'm sure he can find Sakura!"
"Great! Meanwhile, I'll still look for her, too."
Meilin interrupted him abruptly. "No. You, mister, are going to bed. You haven't slept in days!"
"But-"
"No buts. Off to bed now. Ja ne!" There was a click on the other end as Meilin got off the line.
Syaoran sighed worriedly. *No matter what, I'll find you, Sakura...*
*No matter what, I'll find you, Sakura...* Sakura jerked up. *What was that?! It sounded like
Syaoran's voice!* Then, her face darkened. *But... that's impossible. I can't turn back time... At
least without the Time Card...* For the second time that day, she sobbed silently on her pillow.
Serena sat sadly on her bed, holding a picture frame tenderly in her hands. *Darien... I miss you so
much...* A lone tear slid down her cheek.
(AN: * bangs her fists hard on the keyboard * ARGH! How come I make everyone cry?! Hmph. Nothing
goes right with me! Now my own story is making me cry! * sniff*)
At the park near Yaten's mansion...
A girl of seven collapsed on the floor, crying. "Mommy?! Where are you! Mommy?!" She was
clearly frightened. "It's so dark... MOMMY!" A fresh wave of tears started.
A strange looking creature lurked in the shadows. It's long fangs bared into an evil
grin. The girl turned, and spotted the shadow. She screamed, but was quickly silenced when the
creature darted forward and sunk it's teeth into her neck.
Serena happily bit into her buttered toast. "Yum!" she squealed, then she wolfed down
the rest.
Everyone else in the room sweatdropped. Including the unseen company. "I don't know how
she stays that thin when she eats so much food", commented Emerald dryly. Diamond glared at her.
Sakura sighed. Just another 'normal' day... She turned to the TV, and turned the sound
louder.
"Yesterday night, a seven year old girl named Hoshina Kachirou was mysteriously
murdered. She was found near the local park in the Lanoka district. The police inspected
closely, and found two punctures on Hoshina Kachirou's neck. The park has been closed up
temporarily for inspection."
Sakura turned the TV off and shuddered. "How horrible! How can they do that to an
innocent little girl!"
Greg nodded emphatically. "I agree! This is horrible!"
Meanwhile, Serena was thinking. *Is it a youma? Two punctures on her neck...* The rest of
the Starlights were thinking the same thing. Seiji glanced meaningfully at them behind Sakura's
back. They all recognized the meaning instantly. Tonight, they will have to inspect it
personally.
Diamond yawned. "Did you hear about the murder in Lanoka Park?"
"It doesn't concern us, really," Sapphire shrugged nonchalantly. Then, he added, "We're
dead, remember?"
"I don't get it!" Emerald sulked visibly. "After all she's done, you still love
Serenity!"
Sapphire raised an eyebrow. "Emerald, it's not your place to ask such questions."
Rubeus rolled his eyes. "Can we drop the subject, please? This is getting really tiring."
"I've got an idea," proposed Diamond, "Obviously, Serenity and the others are going to
check on this mysterious murder. Why not entertain ourselves by checking on this murder as well?"
Emerald agreed with him enthusiastically. "What a wonderful idea!"
"Always quick to agree to anything that Diamond says. Pfft," Rubeus muttered under his
breath.
Quietly, Sakura closed her room's door quietly. She had overheard the ghosts talking.
Clearly, Diamond was in love with Serena, and Emerald was in love with Diamond. *What a
complicated love triangle! Yet, I do feel sorry for them. Wait... Why would Serena and the
others want to check out a murder that didn't concern them? I'd better tag along with my cards
to make sure they're safe.* Sakura decided. She looked at her watch. *Already eight o'clock!*
"Master, we have killed the girl," said the girl, bowing.
A man's voice was heard from the shadows. "Good. That should get Serenity and the Card
Mistress' attention. Prepare the arrangements."
"Hai, Master."
"Oh, and if this goes as I want it to, you will be greatly rewarded. If not, then I
will just have to dispose of you."
Rei kneeled in front of the blazing fire. *Please, Great Fire, tell me where Serena is!
I need to know! Please!* In response, the fire roared up, and showed Rei three strange symbols.
They were an intricate sun, star, and moon. The star shone out more than the other symbols. It
stood out, glowing gently. *How beautiful...*
"Well?" Darien asked eagerly, as soon as Rei stepped out of the altar room. "Any news of
her?"
Rei turned her crimson eyes to him. "I have news... but not of Serena."
The senshi pressed her on with a chorus of multicolored eyes staring at her. Rei sweatdropped.
"Well, I saw a sun, star and a moon. They were all very decorative and lovely, too!"
Amy quickly searched in her data for a match to Rei's now more precise descriptions of the
symbols. "Aha! Rei, are these the same symbols you saw in the premonition?"
Rei peered at the tiny compact. "Yes! Those are the ones!" Everyone crowded around Amy, who was
being trampled to death by the stampede of anxious friends. "Oh my..." Amy turned dot-eyed.
Mina, who was standing on Amy's arm, looked down and exclaimed, "Oh! Gomen!" Hurriedly, she
stepped off her.
Darien sighed. He wished that the Starlights or the Outers were here. They would be able to make
more sense of these symbols. He had asked Pluto for help, but she said that she wasn't allowed
to right now.
A shoulder came to rest on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Darien. We'll find her." Makoto reassured
him, while thinking at the same time, But will we...?
Mr. Honoka looked up from his newspaper as he heard the door open. His son walked into the
living room, a happy smile on his handsome face.
"Hey, Otousan!"
Mr. Honoko raised an eyebrow approvingly. He had never seen his son this happy in some
time. "Hello, Mieko. Your mother is fixing a snack for you in the kitchen. The maids took a day
off."
Mieko pranced to the kitchen. As soon as he reached her, he grabbed her into a big hug.
Mrs. Honoka laughed. "Mieko! How was school today? Judging from your attitude, it was very
promising!"
Mieko grinned cheekily at her. "As always, mom, you're right. Today was a VERY good
day."
Mrs. Honoka smiled, and sat down at the white table. "Then I'd like to hear about it."
"Today, there were these two, beautiful exchange students. Their names were Kinomoto
Sakura and Tsukino Serena," he started. "I like Sakura a better, though, because she's good at
everything, while Serena is sort of a klutz and her voice is LOUD."
Mrs. Honoko could already guess the end, but she let him finish his story.
"So, after school, I asked her if she wanted to see a movie with me on Saturday, and
she said yes!" He finished.
"What does she look like?" she asked curiously.
"Sakura? Oh, she has long honey brown hair, and emerald green eyes. She's tall, slim,
and very sweet." Mieko speculated for a moment. "There's something about her... I can't quite
explain. It's almost like... magic."
"Do you feel like she's the one for you?"
Mieko nodded fervently. "I think that I... that I'm in love with her..."
Mrs. Honoka frowned slightly. *In love? Hmm...*
Yaten dragged Taiki and Seiji behind him. Finally, he set them down in a private corner.
"Look, you guys, I don't think it's safe for Serena to come with us to inspect the murder. This
could be very dangerous for her."
Taiki blinked. "Yeah, but Serena will never accept being left behind. How are we going
to keep her here?"
Seiji frowned and said, "We could drop some sleeping potion in her drink."
"And WHERE will we get that?"
"Oh, yeah! Oops."
"Baka!" Yaten yelled.
"Guys, fighting won't help." Taiki said severely.
"Okay, how about dishing up one of the old spell books from the Silver Millennium? We
could find a sleep enchantment," Yaten suggested, lime green eyes thoughtful.
Taiki and Seiji brightened up considerably. "Yeah!" they exclaimed in chorus.
Everyone trouped to the attic. They stopped and sweatdropped when they saw the mess
before them. "This is going to be a long search..."
Shikone Mau yawned delicately. She had long, wavy dark mauve hair, and startlingly gray
eyes. Her features were well shaped, and her skin was tanned. Shikone picked up a hand mirror
outlined with precious gems and admired herself adoringly on it. She was very beautiful, and
rich, and obviously took advantage of it. *It's almost a sin to be as lovely as I am,* she thought
vainly. Idly, she gestured with her hand at a lipstick on her neat dresser. Slowly, it floated to
her. *Plus, with my power of moving things with a flick of my hand, I'm more than just a beautiful
girl.* She applied the dark red lip gloss on, and observed the result critically. Perfect.
Shikone flicked her wrist at her closet door. It opened, and a maroon velvet dress flew towards
her waiting hands. She slipped the beautiful dress on, and stared at herself in the mirror. *I'm
much, much more than perfect...*
(A.N. She's so vain!)
Suddenly, there was a knock on her room's door. With a sigh of impatience, Shikone
opened the door. "What?!" She asked, frustrated. The servant who had knocked curtsied deeply to
her.
"Mistress, there is a man in the waiting room who asks to see you."
Shikone's interest sparked. "What does he look like?"
"He is very handsome, mistress. And by the look of his clothes, he is rich, too."
"The dark and serious type, or the light and easygoing type?"
"I think dark, mistress."
"Tell him I'm coming, then."
"Yes, mistress." The servant closed the door behind her.
Shikone examined herself a last time. She smirked, and headed downstairs. As she
approached the waiting room, she rearranged her dress, and straightened her back.
When she entered the highly furnished room, she saw a black haired man with deep, violet
eyes. Shikone suddenly felt very unsettled. This man, for some strange reason, radiated a sense
of power and cunningness. It was almost as if he was royalty. She shivered lightly. *I wonder
what this man wants...* Her self-assurance had suddenly deserted her.
The stranger turned to her direction and looked at her with no apparent emotion on his
face. Shikone gulped nervously. She felt as if she was being examined by a scientist. This man
obviously had some sort of power over her, and THAT, she did not like. Shikone was always used
to being the superior one, and the man in front of her made her feel like she was worth nothing.
She was startled from her thoughts when he started to speak.
"Good evening, Miss Mau," he said in a deep, baritone voice. "My name is Komodo Seiko.
I have come to visit you for reasons strictly concerning business."
Shikone's eyed widened in recognition. The Komodo family owned a huge branch of commerce
worldwide. "I am honored that you have seen fit to do business with the Mau family," she said
ceremoniously. "But I am afraid that my father is not at home this very moment."
Seiko waved his hand impatiently. "No, no, I have come to 'do business' with you."
"M-me?!"
"You have certain... abilities which would be convenient for me."
Shikone narrowed her gray eyes. "How do you know about my powers?!"
Seiko's cold, violet eyes glinted and the room was suddenly filled with precious jewels,
gold, silver, and bronze. Shikone gasped delightedly, bent down, and picked up a diamond the
size of her palm. Seiko coolly glanced at the rest off the riches, and they suddenly disappeared. The only thing left that proves that it wasn't an illusion, was the diamond, which still was gripped in her hand. "You see, Miss Mau, you have enormous magical potential. I would pay you a great deal to have you work for me in secret." He narrowed his silvery purple eyes. "Mind you, madam, this proposition is absolutely secret. No one else at all is to know about what we have talked about."
Shikone hesitated, then asked, "What is the work you want me to do?"
Seiko grinned sardonically. "I'm sure you have heard about a girl in the news called
Sakura Kinomoto."
Shikone frowned. "You mean the one in the car explosion?"
"Yes. You see, it was the work of one of my faithful servants who had not carried out my
plan successfully." He smirked. "Of course, I'm also sure that you won't make the same mistake."
Shikone gasped and lost her composure for a moment, then thought it over. A part of her
said that this was wrong... but the other part of her said that this was going to be fun. Her icy
gray eyes turned to Seiko. "Then the fun begins. I won't disappoint you like your other servant
did. I'm a very efficient person."
Seiko smiled coldly. "I knew you would see things my way, Miss Mau."
A.N. I really hope you liked this story! E-mails are welcome at atlantisforester@aol.com ^-^
Chapter Three (A.R)
A.N. The first chapter of MY fic! ^.^
Disclaimer: NO, CCS and SM are NOT mine! *sulk*
RIIINNNNGGGG!
Sakura started awake at the shrill sound. After turning off the alarm clock, she got up
and went to the bathroom. Wistfully, she thought, *If I was back at home, when Touya and Otousan
were alive, Kero would wake me up and mutter that he didn't understand how hard it was to get up
in the morning...* Her face sobered. *But... not anymore...* Sakura stifled a sob.
Someone knocked on her room's door. Seiji's voice could be heard from the other side of
it. "Sakura? I've got your new school uniform."
Pasting a bright smile on her face, Sakura opened the door.
Seiji immediately noticed that her smile was fake. She had clearly been crying. "What's
wrong?" Seiji asked concernedly.
Sakura bit her lip. "N-nothing," she stammered, on the verge of tears. To her great
surprise, Seiji suddenly swept her in his arms, so that her face was pressed on his muscular
chest.
"Shh... Sometimes it's alright to cry," he murmured huskily into her ear. The tears
finally came. Sakura wept, Seiji's arms encircling her small waist, and hers wrapped around his
neck.
(A.N.: No. I'm NOT going to put Seiji with Sakura. I like S+S the way it is.)
*School has never been as boring as this, even at Crossroads High!* Serena thought grumpily,
doodling on her notebook. *Gym is next. I'm so bad at that! I HATE school!*
The bell rang, and the students flocked out of the classroom, heading for the lockers.
Luckily, Serena had gym period with Sakura. *At least I'll have someone familiar to talk to,*
Serena thought, taking her gym stuff, and headed towards the girls' changing room. She noticed
Sakura amongst the crowd of students. "Hey! Sakura-chan!" Serena called out to Sakura, who stopped
so that Serena could catch up with her.
"Serena! Oh, don't we have gym class together?"
"Exactly! Let's go!" Serena skipped to the changing room, Sakura right behind her.
While the two girls changed, Sakura questioned Serena. "Do you like gym?"
Serena winced. "I hate it. Why? Do you like it?"
"It was my favorite subject at Seijou High."
"Oh." Serena couldn't understand how anyone could like gym.
Sakura, meanwhile, couldn't wait till gym class started.
"Okay, class. Today, we're going to practice acrobatics and somersaults. Why not have
everyone show their best moves?" The teacher called out students in alphabetical order. Sakura
started stretching expertly, startling Serena.
"Kinomoto Sakura, you're next."
Sakura stepped onto the mattress confidently. She astonished everyone, including the
teacher by doing a smooth double backwards flip, and other extremely difficult moves. Finally,
she finished with a perfect somersault.
The students and teacher clapped admiringly. Sakura flashed them a modest smile, and
went to rejoin Serena. Serena eyed her with awe. "You're incredible!"
"Thanks. But I'm not as good as Syaoran," Sakura said.
Serena looked at her curiously. "Who's Syaoran?"
Sakura's face darkened. "He's..." she trailed off, the abruptly said, "I don't want to talk
about it right now."
"Okay...." Serena was startled by the tone of her voice.
At the end of school, Serena and Sakura met and slowly walked to Yaten's house. Suddenly, a male
voice behind them out Sakura's name. "Kinomoto-san! Wait up!" Mieko Honoka, the captain of the
soccer team, caught up with them. He was quite good looking, the girls noted. Mieko had dark teal
hair, and light forest green eyes. (A.N. For those who know Fuushigi Yuugi, think of Tamahome
with short hair, and a little younger! ^-^) He was tall, athletic, and smart. "Hey," he addressed
Sakura, "Do you want to see a movie with me on Saturday?"
Without thinking, Sakura answered him. "Oh, okay."
Mieko flashed her a charming smile. "Great, I'll pick you up at seven. Bye!"
When he was out of sight, Serena squealed excitedly. "Omigosh! You just got a date with
one of the hottest guys in the school! And it's your first day!"
"Huh? Of course not! He probably just invited me because he wants to be friends with me!" Sakura protested. "And anyways, you have a lot of admirers! Pay attention to the poor guys!"
"So do you!" Serena shot back amusedly.
"I do?" Sakura looked confused. Serena simply laughed, rolled her eyes and continued
walking.
The phone rang. Syaoran picked it up hurriedly. "Did you locate where Sakura is?"
"I'm sorry, Syaoran, but no such luck."
"Where can she be?!" Syaoran was frustrated.
"You're stinking rich, and your family is very influential in China! Why don't you phone some
people with lots of political influence of your acquaintance and ask them to research?"
Syaoran smacked his forehead in annoyance. "Why didn't I think of that before?! If I
really need to, I can even bribe the people who know where she is!"
"Exactly. Mou, if you weren't so restless and stopped to think for a moment, you'd have thought
of that a long time ago."
"I gotta go now. Bye." Syaoran hung up.
Meilin snapped open her cellular phone. Syaoran had just called her and asked her to contact a
man of great influence of Japan. *I hope we can find Sakura-chan soon. Syaoran hasn't rested in
days...* the
black-haired girl sighed sadly. Swiftly, she dialed the number.
"Moshi-moshi?"
"May I speak to Mr. Honoka, please?"
"Of course, hold on a minute please."
Meilin tapped her feet on the floor impatiently.
"Hello?"
"Is this Mr. Honoka?" Meilin asked quickly.
"Yes."
"Well, hello, I'm Li Meilin. I am the cousin of the leader of the Li Clan."
"Oh! How may I help you, Ms. Li?"
"Just Meilin, please. My cousin, Li Syaoran, is looking for a girl named Kinomoto Sakura. I'm
sure you must have heard of her in the news, right?
"Of course! The one who was almost killed?"
"Hai. She's the one"
"Is Li Syaoran the leader of the Li Clan?"
"Mhm. Your family, the Honoka, have always done business with my family. Once, my
great-grandfather had done a big favor for your great-grandfather, ne?"
"Correct."
"So now, the Li Clan is asking the Honoka for a favor in return that they have never asked for
yet. Will you grant me and Syaoran that favor?"
"Of course. What is it?"
"To track down Sakura, and tell us her location." *Please accept, please accept...* Meilin prayed
silently.
There was a pause on the other line, then... "You do realize that if I was found out,
that there would be some... inconveniences?"
"Yes, but your family is in great debt to mine."
"...Very well, then. I will contact you when I find out. Have a good day, Ms. Meilin."
"Arigatou, have a good day as well." Meilin hung up, jubilant. *YES! Wait till I tell Syaoran!*
She thought excitedly. Quickly, she dialed Syaoran's cellular phone number.
//Brriiingg// Syaoran picked up his forest green hand phone, and snapped it open.
"Moshi-moshi?"
"SYAORAN!"
"Meilin! Quick, tell me, did he accept?"
"YES! I'm sure he can find Sakura!"
"Great! Meanwhile, I'll still look for her, too."
Meilin interrupted him abruptly. "No. You, mister, are going to bed. You haven't slept in days!"
"But-"
"No buts. Off to bed now. Ja ne!" There was a click on the other end as Meilin got off the line.
Syaoran sighed worriedly. *No matter what, I'll find you, Sakura...*
*No matter what, I'll find you, Sakura...* Sakura jerked up. *What was that?! It sounded like
Syaoran's voice!* Then, her face darkened. *But... that's impossible. I can't turn back time... At
least without the Time Card...* For the second time that day, she sobbed silently on her pillow.
Serena sat sadly on her bed, holding a picture frame tenderly in her hands. *Darien... I miss you so
much...* A lone tear slid down her cheek.
(AN: * bangs her fists hard on the keyboard * ARGH! How come I make everyone cry?! Hmph. Nothing
goes right with me! Now my own story is making me cry! * sniff*)
At the park near Yaten's mansion...
A girl of seven collapsed on the floor, crying. "Mommy?! Where are you! Mommy?!" She was
clearly frightened. "It's so dark... MOMMY!" A fresh wave of tears started.
A strange looking creature lurked in the shadows. It's long fangs bared into an evil
grin. The girl turned, and spotted the shadow. She screamed, but was quickly silenced when the
creature darted forward and sunk it's teeth into her neck.
Serena happily bit into her buttered toast. "Yum!" she squealed, then she wolfed down
the rest.
Everyone else in the room sweatdropped. Including the unseen company. "I don't know how
she stays that thin when she eats so much food", commented Emerald dryly. Diamond glared at her.
Sakura sighed. Just another 'normal' day... She turned to the TV, and turned the sound
louder.
"Yesterday night, a seven year old girl named Hoshina Kachirou was mysteriously
murdered. She was found near the local park in the Lanoka district. The police inspected
closely, and found two punctures on Hoshina Kachirou's neck. The park has been closed up
temporarily for inspection."
Sakura turned the TV off and shuddered. "How horrible! How can they do that to an
innocent little girl!"
Greg nodded emphatically. "I agree! This is horrible!"
Meanwhile, Serena was thinking. *Is it a youma? Two punctures on her neck...* The rest of
the Starlights were thinking the same thing. Seiji glanced meaningfully at them behind Sakura's
back. They all recognized the meaning instantly. Tonight, they will have to inspect it
personally.
Diamond yawned. "Did you hear about the murder in Lanoka Park?"
"It doesn't concern us, really," Sapphire shrugged nonchalantly. Then, he added, "We're
dead, remember?"
"I don't get it!" Emerald sulked visibly. "After all she's done, you still love
Serenity!"
Sapphire raised an eyebrow. "Emerald, it's not your place to ask such questions."
Rubeus rolled his eyes. "Can we drop the subject, please? This is getting really tiring."
"I've got an idea," proposed Diamond, "Obviously, Serenity and the others are going to
check on this mysterious murder. Why not entertain ourselves by checking on this murder as well?"
Emerald agreed with him enthusiastically. "What a wonderful idea!"
"Always quick to agree to anything that Diamond says. Pfft," Rubeus muttered under his
breath.
Quietly, Sakura closed her room's door quietly. She had overheard the ghosts talking.
Clearly, Diamond was in love with Serena, and Emerald was in love with Diamond. *What a
complicated love triangle! Yet, I do feel sorry for them. Wait... Why would Serena and the
others want to check out a murder that didn't concern them? I'd better tag along with my cards
to make sure they're safe.* Sakura decided. She looked at her watch. *Already eight o'clock!*
"Master, we have killed the girl," said the girl, bowing.
A man's voice was heard from the shadows. "Good. That should get Serenity and the Card
Mistress' attention. Prepare the arrangements."
"Hai, Master."
"Oh, and if this goes as I want it to, you will be greatly rewarded. If not, then I
will just have to dispose of you."
Rei kneeled in front of the blazing fire. *Please, Great Fire, tell me where Serena is!
I need to know! Please!* In response, the fire roared up, and showed Rei three strange symbols.
They were an intricate sun, star, and moon. The star shone out more than the other symbols. It
stood out, glowing gently. *How beautiful...*
"Well?" Darien asked eagerly, as soon as Rei stepped out of the altar room. "Any news of
her?"
Rei turned her crimson eyes to him. "I have news... but not of Serena."
The senshi pressed her on with a chorus of multicolored eyes staring at her. Rei sweatdropped.
"Well, I saw a sun, star and a moon. They were all very decorative and lovely, too!"
Amy quickly searched in her data for a match to Rei's now more precise descriptions of the
symbols. "Aha! Rei, are these the same symbols you saw in the premonition?"
Rei peered at the tiny compact. "Yes! Those are the ones!" Everyone crowded around Amy, who was
being trampled to death by the stampede of anxious friends. "Oh my..." Amy turned dot-eyed.
Mina, who was standing on Amy's arm, looked down and exclaimed, "Oh! Gomen!" Hurriedly, she
stepped off her.
Darien sighed. He wished that the Starlights or the Outers were here. They would be able to make
more sense of these symbols. He had asked Pluto for help, but she said that she wasn't allowed
to right now.
A shoulder came to rest on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Darien. We'll find her." Makoto reassured
him, while thinking at the same time, But will we...?
Mr. Honoka looked up from his newspaper as he heard the door open. His son walked into the
living room, a happy smile on his handsome face.
"Hey, Otousan!"
Mr. Honoko raised an eyebrow approvingly. He had never seen his son this happy in some
time. "Hello, Mieko. Your mother is fixing a snack for you in the kitchen. The maids took a day
off."
Mieko pranced to the kitchen. As soon as he reached her, he grabbed her into a big hug.
Mrs. Honoka laughed. "Mieko! How was school today? Judging from your attitude, it was very
promising!"
Mieko grinned cheekily at her. "As always, mom, you're right. Today was a VERY good
day."
Mrs. Honoka smiled, and sat down at the white table. "Then I'd like to hear about it."
"Today, there were these two, beautiful exchange students. Their names were Kinomoto
Sakura and Tsukino Serena," he started. "I like Sakura a better, though, because she's good at
everything, while Serena is sort of a klutz and her voice is LOUD."
Mrs. Honoko could already guess the end, but she let him finish his story.
"So, after school, I asked her if she wanted to see a movie with me on Saturday, and
she said yes!" He finished.
"What does she look like?" she asked curiously.
"Sakura? Oh, she has long honey brown hair, and emerald green eyes. She's tall, slim,
and very sweet." Mieko speculated for a moment. "There's something about her... I can't quite
explain. It's almost like... magic."
"Do you feel like she's the one for you?"
Mieko nodded fervently. "I think that I... that I'm in love with her..."
Mrs. Honoka frowned slightly. *In love? Hmm...*
Yaten dragged Taiki and Seiji behind him. Finally, he set them down in a private corner.
"Look, you guys, I don't think it's safe for Serena to come with us to inspect the murder. This
could be very dangerous for her."
Taiki blinked. "Yeah, but Serena will never accept being left behind. How are we going
to keep her here?"
Seiji frowned and said, "We could drop some sleeping potion in her drink."
"And WHERE will we get that?"
"Oh, yeah! Oops."
"Baka!" Yaten yelled.
"Guys, fighting won't help." Taiki said severely.
"Okay, how about dishing up one of the old spell books from the Silver Millennium? We
could find a sleep enchantment," Yaten suggested, lime green eyes thoughtful.
Taiki and Seiji brightened up considerably. "Yeah!" they exclaimed in chorus.
Everyone trouped to the attic. They stopped and sweatdropped when they saw the mess
before them. "This is going to be a long search..."
Shikone Mau yawned delicately. She had long, wavy dark mauve hair, and startlingly gray
eyes. Her features were well shaped, and her skin was tanned. Shikone picked up a hand mirror
outlined with precious gems and admired herself adoringly on it. She was very beautiful, and
rich, and obviously took advantage of it. *It's almost a sin to be as lovely as I am,* she thought
vainly. Idly, she gestured with her hand at a lipstick on her neat dresser. Slowly, it floated to
her. *Plus, with my power of moving things with a flick of my hand, I'm more than just a beautiful
girl.* She applied the dark red lip gloss on, and observed the result critically. Perfect.
Shikone flicked her wrist at her closet door. It opened, and a maroon velvet dress flew towards
her waiting hands. She slipped the beautiful dress on, and stared at herself in the mirror. *I'm
much, much more than perfect...*
(A.N. She's so vain!)
Suddenly, there was a knock on her room's door. With a sigh of impatience, Shikone
opened the door. "What?!" She asked, frustrated. The servant who had knocked curtsied deeply to
her.
"Mistress, there is a man in the waiting room who asks to see you."
Shikone's interest sparked. "What does he look like?"
"He is very handsome, mistress. And by the look of his clothes, he is rich, too."
"The dark and serious type, or the light and easygoing type?"
"I think dark, mistress."
"Tell him I'm coming, then."
"Yes, mistress." The servant closed the door behind her.
Shikone examined herself a last time. She smirked, and headed downstairs. As she
approached the waiting room, she rearranged her dress, and straightened her back.
When she entered the highly furnished room, she saw a black haired man with deep, violet
eyes. Shikone suddenly felt very unsettled. This man, for some strange reason, radiated a sense
of power and cunningness. It was almost as if he was royalty. She shivered lightly. *I wonder
what this man wants...* Her self-assurance had suddenly deserted her.
The stranger turned to her direction and looked at her with no apparent emotion on his
face. Shikone gulped nervously. She felt as if she was being examined by a scientist. This man
obviously had some sort of power over her, and THAT, she did not like. Shikone was always used
to being the superior one, and the man in front of her made her feel like she was worth nothing.
She was startled from her thoughts when he started to speak.
"Good evening, Miss Mau," he said in a deep, baritone voice. "My name is Komodo Seiko.
I have come to visit you for reasons strictly concerning business."
Shikone's eyed widened in recognition. The Komodo family owned a huge branch of commerce
worldwide. "I am honored that you have seen fit to do business with the Mau family," she said
ceremoniously. "But I am afraid that my father is not at home this very moment."
Seiko waved his hand impatiently. "No, no, I have come to 'do business' with you."
"M-me?!"
"You have certain... abilities which would be convenient for me."
Shikone narrowed her gray eyes. "How do you know about my powers?!"
Seiko's cold, violet eyes glinted and the room was suddenly filled with precious jewels,
gold, silver, and bronze. Shikone gasped delightedly, bent down, and picked up a diamond the
size of her palm. Seiko coolly glanced at the rest off the riches, and they suddenly disappeared. The only thing left that proves that it wasn't an illusion, was the diamond, which still was gripped in her hand. "You see, Miss Mau, you have enormous magical potential. I would pay you a great deal to have you work for me in secret." He narrowed his silvery purple eyes. "Mind you, madam, this proposition is absolutely secret. No one else at all is to know about what we have talked about."
Shikone hesitated, then asked, "What is the work you want me to do?"
Seiko grinned sardonically. "I'm sure you have heard about a girl in the news called
Sakura Kinomoto."
Shikone frowned. "You mean the one in the car explosion?"
"Yes. You see, it was the work of one of my faithful servants who had not carried out my
plan successfully." He smirked. "Of course, I'm also sure that you won't make the same mistake."
Shikone gasped and lost her composure for a moment, then thought it over. A part of her
said that this was wrong... but the other part of her said that this was going to be fun. Her icy
gray eyes turned to Seiko. "Then the fun begins. I won't disappoint you like your other servant
did. I'm a very efficient person."
Seiko smiled coldly. "I knew you would see things my way, Miss Mau."
A.N. I really hope you liked this story! E-mails are welcome at atlantisforester@aol.com ^-^