Title: War Beat
Chapter 5: Anger Rising
Author: Peonyqt1004
DISCLAIMER: Hmmm.... the sky is blue. *whistles gently* Hello? Oh. I forgot. *disappointed sigh* I don't own CCS. I do own Sya-- *Sighs again* No, I don't
own any of these characters.... Gomen.
*~*Anger and Hatred will be your Destruction*~*
Sakura heard Syaoran's cry in the nick of time.
"HYAH!" Quickly she drew her magic and slammed it into the air around her, forming a shield. The arrows fell helplessly to the ground. Syaoran
sighed in relief. 'She's ok...' Sakura bit her lips as she surveyed the area, her eyes caught the suspicious creatures crawling on top of the large and rocky
hills. "Thieves..." Sakura hissed as she recognized their clothing.
\\~*~//
Tomoyo hurried out, breathless, she watched the men practice sword fighting. Of course most of them were still getting used to the sword.
Her eyes found the elegant Eriol. He moved gracefully through each exercise. Twist. Turn. Parry. She couldn't keep her eyes off the lethal and sharp
weapon. Tomoyo wanted to try it too. "Eriol!" She called. She waved a hand cheerfully and ran towards him. Eriol looked up and blinked. "Oh. You." He
twirled the sword in the air and caught it in his sheath easily. "What do you want?" Tomoyo nearly bursted with excitement, now was the chance to do
something about her helplessness! "Teach me how to fight with the sword!" All the men who were currently listening to this, turned towards the princess
and gaped. Eriol sweat dropped and sighed. "Might as well." he confided. "I can't have a woman to protect all the time. You do need to learn how to
fight." Tomoyo blinked with surprise at her easy victory. But he smiled mischievously. "But I promise you, I'm not going to go any easier on you then I do
on my men."
\\~*~//
Kero watched as the man left. His wing has healed pretty quickly, aided by his magic. Scratching his chin, he stared at the tree, not at the
apples this time, but at a strangely shaped knot at the base of the tree. He was full. He didn't want to eat. This knot in the tree was curious, it was
shaped like a star... Hmmm.... Kero touched it with his paw slightly, then clapped his hands twice. Nothing happened. "I guess that wasn't magic then."
Kero muttered. "Where is the damn pathway then?"
\\~*~//
Sakura slammed her magic more outwards this time, knocking off several thieves from their hiding places. Sweat poured down her face as
she tried to control her magic which was so eager to do whatever it wanted. "I'll do this." Sakura glared at the voice. "I can handle this Prince." Syaoran
sighed. "Fine, don't blame me for what I'm going to do next." He snapped a finger and his green magic swirled out from his hands and intertwined
about her magic and pulled it back into Sakura. Sakura gasped and groaned, her magic poured back into her body. Falling on her knees, she rubbed
her head and looked up, clearly annoyed.
Syaoran quickly brought back his magic and swung a large shield around them. The green shield flickered eerily about the trees. He pushed
outwards, causing more thieves to fall into their hideout. Syaoran grunted slightly and suddenly brought in the magic. Closing his eyes tightly he shaped
his aura into thousands of spikes, and suddenly let them fly away from his body towards the enemy. He heard grunts, moans, screams, and yelling. Using
his magic to search to see if any were still alive, he was satisfied when he saw they were all gone. "There." He said with triumph as he turned to Sakura,
his forehead dripping with sweat. Sakura glared at him. "Ohhh, I hate you!" She stomped her right foot and made way towards the city. "Geez, he thinks
he's so good!' Sakura fumed angrily, muttering dark words under her breathe.
\\~*~//
Tory scratched some words on the dirt floor with his index finger, and blinked. That was his name, Tory Kinomoto. He spelled it out again and
quickly erased it when he heard footsteps coming near his cell. "Come!" A harsh voice commanded. Two large hulking men grabbed Tory's arm and
dragged him out. Tory didn't know how he did it, but he elbowed at them hard, causing them to keel over, and flipped them onto their backs. Using
his arms like weapons, he struck hard into their jugglers, five times. He heard them gurgling. He looked at them, they were all in la la land. Good. He
grabbed their collars and dragged them into his cell and securely locked the cell door. He smirked, this was too easy. He wanted to find out who he
really was, and staying in this cell wouldn't help.
\\~*~//
Sakura knocked on the gate and waited for an answer. There was a muffled sound of shouting from behind the gates. "Who goes there?" A
hoarse voice demanded. "It... it is Sakura Kinomoto." The small eye slots at the gates were opened and two large gray eyes looked out at them. There
was a brief squeal. "ZAKURA!" a little girls voice said happily. However, a pair of more serious eyes peeked out. "Whose that Sakura? The guy with the
amber hair behind you?" Sakura smiled cheerily. "Don't worry Riko, its only the prince of Li, he is coming with me, he means no harm." The eye slots shut
and there was a fumbling of locks as the gates creaked open. A little tornadoes ran out and nearly tackled Sakura to the ground. "Zakura! Zakura you
came back to me and my brother!" The girl cried out. A small girl with curly reddish locks and red freckles now sat on Sakura's stomach, her eyes
peering at Sakura's wound. "Dat hurt?" The girl asked curiously and poked it with a finger. Sakura clenched her teeth. "Matter of fact, yes." Sakura said
tightly, but smiled as the little girl clambered out with a woeful face and many sorry's. "Its ok Lokie." Sakura said brightly as she got up, the guarded
expression she usually wore on her face during her time with Syaoran and during the battles faded. She became a lady. Her warrior aura was gone.
Sakura playfully got up and tugged on one of the red heads locks. "Loki, this is Syaoran from the Li clan, his nickname is Mr. I-think-I'm-so-great." Syaoran
sweat dropped and glared at Sakura who ignored his disdainful face and faced the girl. "Come on, lets get in!" Sakura shot Syaoran a look, clearly
meaning to follow. She scooped up the girl onto her back and jogged in towards the city.
\\~*~//
She was a totally different person in the small yet cozy city of the Starr's. Riko, who was a tall man with the dead serious eyes and a grim face,
walked ahead of them. His eyes were a light shade of blue and his hair was almost silver, it was the lightest shade of blonde he had ever seen. The
mans face was grim and his eyes were sharp. "SYAO!" The little red head jumped onto Syaoran back. Syaoran grunted and winced as the his slightly grimy
clothes met the girls muddy boots. "You are so handsome! Wanna be my husband?" Syaoran nearly fell into the muddy road face first. "Er... No. Sorry."
Syaoran replied bluntly. The girl wrinkled her nose. "HUMPH... Sorry, you do know Zakura wuvs Julian very much? I think you two are adorable together...
but she's in love with another! Too bad Syao!" The girl hopped off her back. Sakura stopped, flabbergasted at what the girl said. Her cheeks were
flaming red.
"DO NOT!"
Sakura said loudly. Syaoran, judging from Sakura's face, knew it was true... She did like Julian. He turned dark red at the comment that he and Sakura
looked adorable together.... Unthinkable! A body guard and royalty?! The man named Riko, who was walking in front of them broke into a smile. "Well,
Sakura does fancy our prince." Sakura's face became purple.
"DO NOT!"
Lokie smiled and hopped before her, her eyes twinkling. "Look! She's a tomato!" Sakura's face contorted with anger, and suddenly she got a sly look on
her face. "Lokie.... I'm going to EAT YOU!" Sakura made a monster like face and chased after the girl who ran screaming and laughing towards the gates
to the palace. The guard glanced over at the muddy Li prince. "Why are you following Sakura?" Syaoran sighed, wiping his face and getting mud all
over his cheeks. "Its a long story." He said glumly.
//~*~\\
Nubis approached another blasted barrier. The citizens of Starr had spelled the path with various spells, all so complex that by the end of the
third one, Optius was panting and sweat had built up in the crease between his thick white brows. Optius sprinkled more magic powder onto the
ground, muttering a spell to remove the whole entire cast of magic off of the area. "You sure you can handle this old man?" Optius frowned, wiping his
brow. "Of course I can." He muttered, his face dark. 'These shields are strong, I wonder who put them up? I have to save my strength...' Opitus grunted
as he got on top of a mare and kicked it to a trot. He could feel Nubis watching him with amusement. Optius grinded his teeth together in humiliation.
He may be old, but he still could destroy massive amount of things. If only he had the stone...
Nubis kicked his horse into a canter and motioned for a soldier to come nearer to him. "Captain Link." Nubis said quietly, his eyes sparkled dark
purple. "I want you to keep an eye on that wizard, I do suspect he has something up his sleeve." The man next to him with the blonde hair and frosty
blue eyes nodded. "Yes sir." He kicked his horse into a trot and caught up to Optius, staying just a few steps away from the wizard, after all, he did fear
this wizards wrath, but more then that, he fear Nubis's wrath.
//~*~\\
The aging queen of the Starr Kingdom rubbed her temples with her old but supple fingers. Her honey brown eyes tired and worn. The king, with
his silvering hair and his sharp dark brown gaze nodded at everything Syaoran told him. "Yes, I was well aware they would come here, all the greedy
and power thirsty villains would want the power of the secret stone." The king stroke his long graying beard. "I had Julian set up a few barriers, and some
of my royal mages to go and set booby traps, but I do fear that Optius has quite powerful magic, and he does have three mage students he teaches...
With those three they will break down the barriers and booby traps in 2 days max." Syaoran interrupted. "One of the students was my cousin, who died
during the day of Optius's betrayal." Syaorans face looked tight and tense. Sakura interrupted quickly. "The city is in dire danger, I suggest we evacuate
the grounds, fighting them is nearly impossible now."
"But I want to fight."
Sakura's head shot up and her eyes met a similar shade of honey brown eyes as the queens. "JULIAN!" Sakura turned pink but her lips turned into a
stubborn line. "Nonsense, we can't run from this, I know, but we should retreat, this one city cannot defeat Nubis's strong army." Julian approached
them, a slight and slender man, not too tall, not too short, he wore large spectacle's, covering his kind yet fierce eyes. He swiped his silvery brown hair
away from his face and sighed. Syaoran watched Sakura intently and felt his breathing hitch as Sakura stared at Julian with a strange sort of intensity in
her eyes. He observed the two, they were friendly, but from the look in Julian's eyes, he slightly suspected Julian only liked her as a sister.
"If you stay then I'll stay and fight with you." Sakura said loudly, angrily. Julian's eyebrows clicked together, a small wrinkle developed between
his brows. "Don't be stupid Sakura, this is magic against magic, I'm pretty sure our mages are able too--" Syaoran pitched in his share of an idea. "Julian,
just evacuate your people, they cannot fight, if you do stay, you are endangering your people, leaving them without a leader." Julian looked at Syaoran
with indifferent eyes. "Whose this?" Riko stepped forward. "He is Syaoran Li my lord, he is the prince of the king of Letington." Julian's eyes widened, "Riko,
are you sure? I've heard that the Li family and all the relations were killed the very day of Syaoran betrothal announcement." Riko looked at his prince
with a straight face. "Your majesty..." He gestured to the three royalty who stood on the throne. "Look at this boy, do you not see the eyes that Yelan
possessed? The structure of his face? Do you not believe our Sakura's words?" There was a long silence. Julian looked up and smiled. "Yes, If Sakura say's so,
it must be so, now that I'm looking at Syaoran's face directly, I do see Yelan's brown eyes." The queen nodded. "We are much grieved to learn about
your family." Syaoran clenched his teeth, a strange pulse beating at his temple. "Thank you." He said tersely.
'God... I didn't want to talk about my families death...' Syaoran thought to himself, he felt the strange and burning anger burn him up again.
'But that death... that death was pure murderer... I want to kill Nubis and Optius... I want to kill them with my own hands!' He clenched his hand tightly,
his knuckles going white as he smiled a very tight smile at the royal family and bowed politely. Sakura nodded, unaware of Syaoran's discomfort. "I think
Syaoran's right My lord, as a leader, we should be more concerned about the welfare of the people." Sakura bowed and touched her forehead to the
ground before her. "And I am pledging myself to you, I will never let any of you to die, not while under my protection..." Sakura's voice started to crack
as she suddenly remembered her life long friend, Tomoyo. 'Never again will I let my family down.' Sakura thought stonily as she got up, slowly, meeting the
kings eyes. "I promise you, with the seal of my family." Silenced proceeded after her words, Syaoran looked at her strangely. The king smiled, his lips
curling up into a friendly open laugh. "Oh Sakura... You are like a daughter to us, we'd rather not accept such great a gift!" The king strode forwards and
patted Sakura on the head. "Come on Sakura, let us start to move the people out."
//~*~\\
Tomoyo swung the sword, trying to make swift precise swings and slashing, but she only succeeded in almost slicing her teachers head off.
Twice. Tomoyo smiled sheepishly as Eriol gave her a glare. "Its too sloppy." He muttered, straightening her back with a touch of his hand, and positioning
her fingers. "Move your back leg a bit farther and point you front foot to the side, yes, so you can pivot your foot out into a kick when you need it." Eriol
pushed her stubborn leg back with an impatient hand. "Look, you have to crouch downwards to spread power throughout your body. The muscles in
her leg can't be too tense or too relaxed, lean backwards a bit when you swing, and keep your balance by placing all your weight in the middle of your
body." Eriol positioned her and sighed with frustration as Tomoyo made another sloppy swing. "I'm sorry Ms Daiijabou." Eriol said, his voice apologetic.
"I'm not that great of a teacher. I'm not a great swordsman as my cousin Syaoran is." Tomoyo frowned slightly, "Are you refusing to teach me because I
am horrible at this?" She asked, her voice sounding a bit sad and resentful. "No no! That's not it!" Eriol cried out, trying to erase what he had just said.
Tomoyo responded by eyeing Eriol right in the eye, slowly, she said these words which made Eriol feel guilty and shameful. "I see, I am a royalty PRINCESS,
I'm a girl NOT a man, is that why I can't do this? Or is it because I'm clumsy? Is it because I'm so sloppy?" Tear slipped from her eyes. She sniffled slightly
and wiped it. Eriol wanted to erase what he have said, eh didn't mean to sound so... resentful. "Ms. Daiijabou..." Tomoyo glared at him, her purple eyes
become frosty. "Mr. Hiro... Please, no need to hide the truth of your statement from me." Tomoyo threw the sword that she had been using to the side
with a plunk. Mud from the heavy material splattered all over Eriol's pants. Eriol winced and reached out for the princess's arm, but she shrugged him off
carelessly and walked away. Briskly, she called back at him. "It is getting dark, maybe you should go inside." With that, she turned the corner, and left.
Tomoyo was breathing hard, she knew that Eriol hadn't meant it the way she had said it. But it stung. She knew she wasn't any good. She
saw the look of pure frustration in Eriol's eyes. 'I'm so hopeless...' Tomoyo cried out to herself, she shut the door behind her and slid down the door as she
sank onto the ground, the vision before her melting, becoming mixed and blurry. 'I'll never be able to fight for something... something I've always
wanted to fight for... my people... I'm a lousy princess who stays inside all day, worrying about her nails...' She choked back a tear. She knew she didn't
have the swiftness that Sakura had, or the precise aim and agility that Syaoran had, nor the gracefulness that Eriol had. She bit her lips tightly as her eyes
watered slightly. She had nothing to contribute... she couldn't help anyone with her... her.... talent less life. She couldn't fight, she was very weak with
magic... what could she do? Her fist clenched and unclenched repeatedly. She wanted to help her people, she wanted vengeance for the death of her
mother. She hoped that she could make a difference. Remembering her kingdom, which had went up in flames as she had left... she felt a strange cold
haze cover her heart, a strange beat strummed through her mind. A strange look overtook her eyes, a veil of coldness had covered them, a strange
feeling of hatred overcame her.
//~*~\\
Sakura quickly washed her face and neck, reveling in the clean feel of water against her skin. Getting a bar of fragrant soap, she rubbed it
with her wet hands until it started foaming with white bubbles. She washed her wound thoroughly with a towel, and hesitated, before she removed her
articles of clothing to take a quick wash. Scrubbing harshly against her skin, she washed off all the grime and dirt from her travels. Her wound was
recovering quickly, of course, Tomoyo did put a spell on it to make it heal faster and stop bleeding. Sakura's eyes saddened at the thought of her friend,
who had only wanted to do what was right and good. After she finished rinsing her hair, she drained the small tub, and dried herself before she got into
a new article of clothing which the Starr family servants had laid out. Sakura set her face with determination, she was not going to let Julian die.
Syaoran shook his wet hair, he looked around the Starr's palace, it was remarkably smaller then his large palace, but it was filled with
something he could not understand, something like a mysterious aura. He kept walking, his hands tracing the complex designs etched onto the wall of
the castle. Small vines and monsters and creatures Syaoran found vaguely familiar danced about him in the stone walls. The red and silver traipses
around him glimmered and sparkled in the bright torch lights. His mind soon wandered to Sakura, his bodyguard. It was strange, having a girl watch
over you. He scratched the itch behind his wrist. He had watched Sakura fight, it was more of a dance then fighting... She moved lithely, lightly, agile...
unlike the power you have to have in order to fight... she had quickness, grace, and fluid movements which he envied. He shook his head and sighed,
but she was pitiful. Her strength was weak, what made her victorious was her speed and agility. She moved fast enough to surprise the enemy, she had
enough speed to actually land many hits as possible without getting hurt. Her movements were quick and snake like, her defense was strong, but her
offense was a bit lacking. But he had to admit, though she was a pathetic girl, she had good techniques. His eyes wandered over the fur carpet and
towards the room Sakura was supposedly in. He wanted to go in and talk to her about tactics and strategy, but... it would only end as a fight. He
scratched his head and glared at the wooden floor.
The door opened with a creak, making Syaoran jump. Sakura look at him, her eyes blank. "What are you here for?" Syaoran felt heat rise up his
cheeks, how dare this girl speak so cheekily to him?! "I came to tell you something." He retorted, his voice laced with arrogance and disdain. His eyes
were cold and distant. "Hurry up Sakura Kinomoto, we have about 20 minutes before Optius and Nubis arrives. I have foreseen it. I can sense his aura,
and I'm pretty sure he can sense ours by now Sakura." Sakura broke into a cold sweat, as she suddenly felt the presence of another magic...
//~*~\\
Another 20 men fell, and died at Nubis's feet. Nubis's eyes were angry, his lips were twitching uncomfortably, and his brows were drawn
together in a scowl. These cursed traps made with magic was getting on his nerves. Nubis brought his stallion around to face Optius. "Can't you just
destroy all the barriers and traps at once?" Nubis snarled impatiently. Optius scowled back at him, he waved a wrinkled hand as he smoothed his sweat
soaked robe of blue and gold velvet. "Magic takes patience." Optius wiped his sweat with the back of his palm, he couldn't last much longer, he had
to build his strength, he needed his two trained mages. "Iris! Tyler!" He called hoarsely, he made a dry smacking noise with his dried cracked lips. He was so
thirsty. They two mages glided toward him, they were dressed in all black robes. Iris looked up at her teacher, her eyes bright yellow, almost cat like.
"Water." He commanded her, she immediately withdrew a small water skin from her robes and gave the bundle of precious liquid to her teacher. Optius
drank thirstily, and wetly smacked his lips as he looked down at his other student, his great grandson. Tyler. Like him, he had red eyes... like Optius
when he was young... he had hair as blue as the deep ocean sea. "Tyler." He said gently, his red eyes gentling as he looked at someone with his blood
running through him. His great grandson kneeled down. "Yes teacher?" Grieved at such formal words, Optius swallowed once before he continued. "Run
your magic up towards the path and tell me how many magical barriers are left." Tyler nodded and brought out his blood red aura raced up through
the path and retracted just as quickly. "Two more." Tyler said, his eyes glinting strangely. Optius sighed. "Tyler and Iris, it is time for you to take a try with
magic." Nubis just smirked, he knew Optius was tiring and refused to accept that he was too old for the job. "You tiring Optius?" Nubis asked, his lips
twitching into a cruel smirk. Optius frowned, "Of course not!" He said huffily, his eyes darting around him nervously. "My students need to excersice their
skills in this hand son experiment." Nubis grinned. 'Yea right.' Optius scowled, he was starting to dislike his pawn also known as his partner, more and
more. He shot up suddenly, as well as his other two students. They felt a presence, the presence of a pink and green aura, which Optius instantly
recognized, he groaned, things wasn't working right.
//~*~\\
Julian helped a woman get through the back door, the way to go towards the rolling hills in the kingdom of the Dragon Lords. Sakura hurried
up, wearing a thickly padded cloak suited for cold weather. "Julian, did you get everyone out of here? We only have 2 minutes till their arrival!" Julian
nodded, "I think so. I'll go on ahead, check up behind me will you? Quickly, with your magic." Sakura nodded, Syaoran passed by her, frowning. "Where
are you going?" He asked. Sakura's back stiffened, she hated his arrogant voice at times. Flippantly she tossed her hair behind her and scowled at him.
"Scouting." Sakura pressed her lips primly together, she wasn't going to tell Julian she didn't know how to scout for people... She was guessing it was
something like probing for magic. Gently, she let her untamed magic flow from her body, she let her magic float over the town, washing the town in a
light pink color. Syaoran frowned. "Prince Starr..." "Call me Julian." Julian replied quickly as he helped a child and a old woman cross out through the
door. Syaoran hesitated. "Julian... Sakura doesn't know how to--" There was a sudden sound of slamming at the gate of the city. Syaoran had securely
locked it before. "They're here." Julian said, his face tight as he heard the steady beat of war sounding at the gate of his kingdom.
Syaoran pushed Julian through the door and hesitated, "Sakura!" She did not heed him, she was as still as stone, her face was pale and a sickly
shade of white, little beads of sweat dripped from her forehead. Syaoran decided not to go on ahead. "We'll be right behind you." Syaoran called to
Julian. Julian frowned. "You can't leave like this, they're here!" Syaoran ignored the remark and shut the door on Julian's face and barred it so Julian
couldn't come back in without his consent. "Sakura!" He called, her eyes twitched slightly from behind her closed eyelids, but that was the only response.
Sakura started to make little gasping noises and all her pink magic flew into her body. Her eyes snapped open, startling Syaoran with her large green
eyes. "There's a kid..." She panted, "He's still in the nursery room of a merchants house at the right!" Syaoran blanched. "Don't tell me you're going back for
the child..." He said slowly. Sakura smiled stiffly. "I must, I told Julian I would." Sakura threw up a magical shield in front of the gate, which was starting
to break under the steady pounding of the large wooden beam which the army outside was trying to break in with.
Syaoran didn't know why he protected such a fool hardy and crazy girl. "AND I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY BODYGUARD!!!" Syaoran roared as he
ran swiftly after her. She shrugged him off, her eyes trained ahead of her. She didn't want to tell him, but she was itching to fight. She hated them, every
bit of Nubis's army, they weren't going to stay alive... no... she will KILL Nubis with her bare hands... The faint cry from the child echoed in the deep
recessive area of her mind. She suddenly broke through her black cloud of hatred and ran faster, a child was waiting... for what? His rescue or his
doom?
Syaoran watched her run, her eyes seemed to change from a deep murderous color of dark green to a sudden softer shade of a lighter green,
he wondered what was going through her head now... He muttered a curse as he heard the wall splintering and breaking. He turned around and put
another green shield behind Sakura's. 'They have two people to deal with now.' Syaoran said stubbornly. He couldn't believe he was doing this.
Sakura opened every door, but she couldn't find the yellow room she had envisioned with her magic. A quite sob drew her to a room, the last
room at the far right. Quickly opening the door, she found a little boy crying, dressed in a small yellow suit, the kid sat their, bawling. He was only a few
months old. Her eyes softened as she hoisted the boy on her shoulders. The boy cried louder, drool dripped down from his open mouth and she felt
wetness from the child's tears on her back. Soothing the child, she ran down the stairs and out. She stopped, Syaoran stood there, waiting for her. "Why
did you..." Syaoran looked at her indifferently. "Wait for you?" He asked loftily. "Well, obviously, I came because Julian told me to look after you." Sakura's
face became bright red with anger. "LISTEN!" She barked. "If you came to badger me, then stop it ok? And I don't need a babysitter, I am YOUR
bodyguard god dammit!" Her yelling made the child bawl even louder, making Syaoran wince. "Lets wait a while longer so Nubis can get us." Syaoran
said sarcastically. He stopped Sakura, her face has gone a strange pallor of white. "You ok?" Sakura shook her head. "No, I'm fine."
Sakura kept seeing double vision. When she had used her magic, it was horrible... The magic fought against her control. It yearned for
something she didn't know. It wasn't tame. What was the matter with her magic? Using almost all her strength in using her magic, Sakura felt fatigue
weigh down her bones. At least physically she was exhausted. But the magic inside of her was restless... like lava about to erupt from a volcano, she felt
herself getting hot and cold at the same time. Syaoran's usual cold brown eyes looked at her in concern and he took the little kid from Sakura hands
and hoisted the kid on his back 'Sakura, Come on, lets go." Sakura staggered to the side. She saw flashbacks of her parents dying, her friends fighting...
the strange wave of magic which killed her friends... Her magic boiled hot in her veins. Sakura's eyes started to roll back to her head. She staggered to
the side and fell to a knee. "Sakura!" Syaorans voice was faint, compared to the strange buzzing side within her head. She heard her fathers voice over
and over again, it was as if he was alive. She swore she saw her father standing above her, his large glasses covering his warm brown eyes.
"Sakura? I'm going to go buy some gifts from the city, would you like me to buy you some sugar candy?"
His voice was a empty echo of a gentle person who once was, but now wasn't.... The voice of the one she loved.
A strange burst of anger pricked something within her, which had been dying to come out since day one, since the day Nubis had killed her parents.
Sakura pushed Syaoran back with her magic. "S-s-sakura... you're glowing pink." Syaoran commented, becoming a little scared as Sakura started to
pant and groan out loud. Sweat ran down her face and her eyes were clenched shut. It was as if something was trying to get out. Sakura let out a small
groan of agony... something... something was trying to get out, and she was trying to hold it down. She sensed no good would come of letting go of
something that was boiling so hot and angry in her veins. It felt like it would burst and erupt.
It did.
To be continued....
A/N: Ok, the next chapter will explain what happened to Sakura. Its a big part for the rest of the story. *waggles a finger* R AND R PLEASE! REVIEW!!!!!
~Peony
Chapter 5: Anger Rising
Author: Peonyqt1004
DISCLAIMER: Hmmm.... the sky is blue. *whistles gently* Hello? Oh. I forgot. *disappointed sigh* I don't own CCS. I do own Sya-- *Sighs again* No, I don't
own any of these characters.... Gomen.
*~*Anger and Hatred will be your Destruction*~*
Sakura heard Syaoran's cry in the nick of time.
"HYAH!" Quickly she drew her magic and slammed it into the air around her, forming a shield. The arrows fell helplessly to the ground. Syaoran
sighed in relief. 'She's ok...' Sakura bit her lips as she surveyed the area, her eyes caught the suspicious creatures crawling on top of the large and rocky
hills. "Thieves..." Sakura hissed as she recognized their clothing.
\\~*~//
Tomoyo hurried out, breathless, she watched the men practice sword fighting. Of course most of them were still getting used to the sword.
Her eyes found the elegant Eriol. He moved gracefully through each exercise. Twist. Turn. Parry. She couldn't keep her eyes off the lethal and sharp
weapon. Tomoyo wanted to try it too. "Eriol!" She called. She waved a hand cheerfully and ran towards him. Eriol looked up and blinked. "Oh. You." He
twirled the sword in the air and caught it in his sheath easily. "What do you want?" Tomoyo nearly bursted with excitement, now was the chance to do
something about her helplessness! "Teach me how to fight with the sword!" All the men who were currently listening to this, turned towards the princess
and gaped. Eriol sweat dropped and sighed. "Might as well." he confided. "I can't have a woman to protect all the time. You do need to learn how to
fight." Tomoyo blinked with surprise at her easy victory. But he smiled mischievously. "But I promise you, I'm not going to go any easier on you then I do
on my men."
\\~*~//
Kero watched as the man left. His wing has healed pretty quickly, aided by his magic. Scratching his chin, he stared at the tree, not at the
apples this time, but at a strangely shaped knot at the base of the tree. He was full. He didn't want to eat. This knot in the tree was curious, it was
shaped like a star... Hmmm.... Kero touched it with his paw slightly, then clapped his hands twice. Nothing happened. "I guess that wasn't magic then."
Kero muttered. "Where is the damn pathway then?"
\\~*~//
Sakura slammed her magic more outwards this time, knocking off several thieves from their hiding places. Sweat poured down her face as
she tried to control her magic which was so eager to do whatever it wanted. "I'll do this." Sakura glared at the voice. "I can handle this Prince." Syaoran
sighed. "Fine, don't blame me for what I'm going to do next." He snapped a finger and his green magic swirled out from his hands and intertwined
about her magic and pulled it back into Sakura. Sakura gasped and groaned, her magic poured back into her body. Falling on her knees, she rubbed
her head and looked up, clearly annoyed.
Syaoran quickly brought back his magic and swung a large shield around them. The green shield flickered eerily about the trees. He pushed
outwards, causing more thieves to fall into their hideout. Syaoran grunted slightly and suddenly brought in the magic. Closing his eyes tightly he shaped
his aura into thousands of spikes, and suddenly let them fly away from his body towards the enemy. He heard grunts, moans, screams, and yelling. Using
his magic to search to see if any were still alive, he was satisfied when he saw they were all gone. "There." He said with triumph as he turned to Sakura,
his forehead dripping with sweat. Sakura glared at him. "Ohhh, I hate you!" She stomped her right foot and made way towards the city. "Geez, he thinks
he's so good!' Sakura fumed angrily, muttering dark words under her breathe.
\\~*~//
Tory scratched some words on the dirt floor with his index finger, and blinked. That was his name, Tory Kinomoto. He spelled it out again and
quickly erased it when he heard footsteps coming near his cell. "Come!" A harsh voice commanded. Two large hulking men grabbed Tory's arm and
dragged him out. Tory didn't know how he did it, but he elbowed at them hard, causing them to keel over, and flipped them onto their backs. Using
his arms like weapons, he struck hard into their jugglers, five times. He heard them gurgling. He looked at them, they were all in la la land. Good. He
grabbed their collars and dragged them into his cell and securely locked the cell door. He smirked, this was too easy. He wanted to find out who he
really was, and staying in this cell wouldn't help.
\\~*~//
Sakura knocked on the gate and waited for an answer. There was a muffled sound of shouting from behind the gates. "Who goes there?" A
hoarse voice demanded. "It... it is Sakura Kinomoto." The small eye slots at the gates were opened and two large gray eyes looked out at them. There
was a brief squeal. "ZAKURA!" a little girls voice said happily. However, a pair of more serious eyes peeked out. "Whose that Sakura? The guy with the
amber hair behind you?" Sakura smiled cheerily. "Don't worry Riko, its only the prince of Li, he is coming with me, he means no harm." The eye slots shut
and there was a fumbling of locks as the gates creaked open. A little tornadoes ran out and nearly tackled Sakura to the ground. "Zakura! Zakura you
came back to me and my brother!" The girl cried out. A small girl with curly reddish locks and red freckles now sat on Sakura's stomach, her eyes
peering at Sakura's wound. "Dat hurt?" The girl asked curiously and poked it with a finger. Sakura clenched her teeth. "Matter of fact, yes." Sakura said
tightly, but smiled as the little girl clambered out with a woeful face and many sorry's. "Its ok Lokie." Sakura said brightly as she got up, the guarded
expression she usually wore on her face during her time with Syaoran and during the battles faded. She became a lady. Her warrior aura was gone.
Sakura playfully got up and tugged on one of the red heads locks. "Loki, this is Syaoran from the Li clan, his nickname is Mr. I-think-I'm-so-great." Syaoran
sweat dropped and glared at Sakura who ignored his disdainful face and faced the girl. "Come on, lets get in!" Sakura shot Syaoran a look, clearly
meaning to follow. She scooped up the girl onto her back and jogged in towards the city.
\\~*~//
She was a totally different person in the small yet cozy city of the Starr's. Riko, who was a tall man with the dead serious eyes and a grim face,
walked ahead of them. His eyes were a light shade of blue and his hair was almost silver, it was the lightest shade of blonde he had ever seen. The
mans face was grim and his eyes were sharp. "SYAO!" The little red head jumped onto Syaoran back. Syaoran grunted and winced as the his slightly grimy
clothes met the girls muddy boots. "You are so handsome! Wanna be my husband?" Syaoran nearly fell into the muddy road face first. "Er... No. Sorry."
Syaoran replied bluntly. The girl wrinkled her nose. "HUMPH... Sorry, you do know Zakura wuvs Julian very much? I think you two are adorable together...
but she's in love with another! Too bad Syao!" The girl hopped off her back. Sakura stopped, flabbergasted at what the girl said. Her cheeks were
flaming red.
"DO NOT!"
Sakura said loudly. Syaoran, judging from Sakura's face, knew it was true... She did like Julian. He turned dark red at the comment that he and Sakura
looked adorable together.... Unthinkable! A body guard and royalty?! The man named Riko, who was walking in front of them broke into a smile. "Well,
Sakura does fancy our prince." Sakura's face became purple.
"DO NOT!"
Lokie smiled and hopped before her, her eyes twinkling. "Look! She's a tomato!" Sakura's face contorted with anger, and suddenly she got a sly look on
her face. "Lokie.... I'm going to EAT YOU!" Sakura made a monster like face and chased after the girl who ran screaming and laughing towards the gates
to the palace. The guard glanced over at the muddy Li prince. "Why are you following Sakura?" Syaoran sighed, wiping his face and getting mud all
over his cheeks. "Its a long story." He said glumly.
//~*~\\
Nubis approached another blasted barrier. The citizens of Starr had spelled the path with various spells, all so complex that by the end of the
third one, Optius was panting and sweat had built up in the crease between his thick white brows. Optius sprinkled more magic powder onto the
ground, muttering a spell to remove the whole entire cast of magic off of the area. "You sure you can handle this old man?" Optius frowned, wiping his
brow. "Of course I can." He muttered, his face dark. 'These shields are strong, I wonder who put them up? I have to save my strength...' Opitus grunted
as he got on top of a mare and kicked it to a trot. He could feel Nubis watching him with amusement. Optius grinded his teeth together in humiliation.
He may be old, but he still could destroy massive amount of things. If only he had the stone...
Nubis kicked his horse into a canter and motioned for a soldier to come nearer to him. "Captain Link." Nubis said quietly, his eyes sparkled dark
purple. "I want you to keep an eye on that wizard, I do suspect he has something up his sleeve." The man next to him with the blonde hair and frosty
blue eyes nodded. "Yes sir." He kicked his horse into a trot and caught up to Optius, staying just a few steps away from the wizard, after all, he did fear
this wizards wrath, but more then that, he fear Nubis's wrath.
//~*~\\
The aging queen of the Starr Kingdom rubbed her temples with her old but supple fingers. Her honey brown eyes tired and worn. The king, with
his silvering hair and his sharp dark brown gaze nodded at everything Syaoran told him. "Yes, I was well aware they would come here, all the greedy
and power thirsty villains would want the power of the secret stone." The king stroke his long graying beard. "I had Julian set up a few barriers, and some
of my royal mages to go and set booby traps, but I do fear that Optius has quite powerful magic, and he does have three mage students he teaches...
With those three they will break down the barriers and booby traps in 2 days max." Syaoran interrupted. "One of the students was my cousin, who died
during the day of Optius's betrayal." Syaorans face looked tight and tense. Sakura interrupted quickly. "The city is in dire danger, I suggest we evacuate
the grounds, fighting them is nearly impossible now."
"But I want to fight."
Sakura's head shot up and her eyes met a similar shade of honey brown eyes as the queens. "JULIAN!" Sakura turned pink but her lips turned into a
stubborn line. "Nonsense, we can't run from this, I know, but we should retreat, this one city cannot defeat Nubis's strong army." Julian approached
them, a slight and slender man, not too tall, not too short, he wore large spectacle's, covering his kind yet fierce eyes. He swiped his silvery brown hair
away from his face and sighed. Syaoran watched Sakura intently and felt his breathing hitch as Sakura stared at Julian with a strange sort of intensity in
her eyes. He observed the two, they were friendly, but from the look in Julian's eyes, he slightly suspected Julian only liked her as a sister.
"If you stay then I'll stay and fight with you." Sakura said loudly, angrily. Julian's eyebrows clicked together, a small wrinkle developed between
his brows. "Don't be stupid Sakura, this is magic against magic, I'm pretty sure our mages are able too--" Syaoran pitched in his share of an idea. "Julian,
just evacuate your people, they cannot fight, if you do stay, you are endangering your people, leaving them without a leader." Julian looked at Syaoran
with indifferent eyes. "Whose this?" Riko stepped forward. "He is Syaoran Li my lord, he is the prince of the king of Letington." Julian's eyes widened, "Riko,
are you sure? I've heard that the Li family and all the relations were killed the very day of Syaoran betrothal announcement." Riko looked at his prince
with a straight face. "Your majesty..." He gestured to the three royalty who stood on the throne. "Look at this boy, do you not see the eyes that Yelan
possessed? The structure of his face? Do you not believe our Sakura's words?" There was a long silence. Julian looked up and smiled. "Yes, If Sakura say's so,
it must be so, now that I'm looking at Syaoran's face directly, I do see Yelan's brown eyes." The queen nodded. "We are much grieved to learn about
your family." Syaoran clenched his teeth, a strange pulse beating at his temple. "Thank you." He said tersely.
'God... I didn't want to talk about my families death...' Syaoran thought to himself, he felt the strange and burning anger burn him up again.
'But that death... that death was pure murderer... I want to kill Nubis and Optius... I want to kill them with my own hands!' He clenched his hand tightly,
his knuckles going white as he smiled a very tight smile at the royal family and bowed politely. Sakura nodded, unaware of Syaoran's discomfort. "I think
Syaoran's right My lord, as a leader, we should be more concerned about the welfare of the people." Sakura bowed and touched her forehead to the
ground before her. "And I am pledging myself to you, I will never let any of you to die, not while under my protection..." Sakura's voice started to crack
as she suddenly remembered her life long friend, Tomoyo. 'Never again will I let my family down.' Sakura thought stonily as she got up, slowly, meeting the
kings eyes. "I promise you, with the seal of my family." Silenced proceeded after her words, Syaoran looked at her strangely. The king smiled, his lips
curling up into a friendly open laugh. "Oh Sakura... You are like a daughter to us, we'd rather not accept such great a gift!" The king strode forwards and
patted Sakura on the head. "Come on Sakura, let us start to move the people out."
//~*~\\
Tomoyo swung the sword, trying to make swift precise swings and slashing, but she only succeeded in almost slicing her teachers head off.
Twice. Tomoyo smiled sheepishly as Eriol gave her a glare. "Its too sloppy." He muttered, straightening her back with a touch of his hand, and positioning
her fingers. "Move your back leg a bit farther and point you front foot to the side, yes, so you can pivot your foot out into a kick when you need it." Eriol
pushed her stubborn leg back with an impatient hand. "Look, you have to crouch downwards to spread power throughout your body. The muscles in
her leg can't be too tense or too relaxed, lean backwards a bit when you swing, and keep your balance by placing all your weight in the middle of your
body." Eriol positioned her and sighed with frustration as Tomoyo made another sloppy swing. "I'm sorry Ms Daiijabou." Eriol said, his voice apologetic.
"I'm not that great of a teacher. I'm not a great swordsman as my cousin Syaoran is." Tomoyo frowned slightly, "Are you refusing to teach me because I
am horrible at this?" She asked, her voice sounding a bit sad and resentful. "No no! That's not it!" Eriol cried out, trying to erase what he had just said.
Tomoyo responded by eyeing Eriol right in the eye, slowly, she said these words which made Eriol feel guilty and shameful. "I see, I am a royalty PRINCESS,
I'm a girl NOT a man, is that why I can't do this? Or is it because I'm clumsy? Is it because I'm so sloppy?" Tear slipped from her eyes. She sniffled slightly
and wiped it. Eriol wanted to erase what he have said, eh didn't mean to sound so... resentful. "Ms. Daiijabou..." Tomoyo glared at him, her purple eyes
become frosty. "Mr. Hiro... Please, no need to hide the truth of your statement from me." Tomoyo threw the sword that she had been using to the side
with a plunk. Mud from the heavy material splattered all over Eriol's pants. Eriol winced and reached out for the princess's arm, but she shrugged him off
carelessly and walked away. Briskly, she called back at him. "It is getting dark, maybe you should go inside." With that, she turned the corner, and left.
Tomoyo was breathing hard, she knew that Eriol hadn't meant it the way she had said it. But it stung. She knew she wasn't any good. She
saw the look of pure frustration in Eriol's eyes. 'I'm so hopeless...' Tomoyo cried out to herself, she shut the door behind her and slid down the door as she
sank onto the ground, the vision before her melting, becoming mixed and blurry. 'I'll never be able to fight for something... something I've always
wanted to fight for... my people... I'm a lousy princess who stays inside all day, worrying about her nails...' She choked back a tear. She knew she didn't
have the swiftness that Sakura had, or the precise aim and agility that Syaoran had, nor the gracefulness that Eriol had. She bit her lips tightly as her eyes
watered slightly. She had nothing to contribute... she couldn't help anyone with her... her.... talent less life. She couldn't fight, she was very weak with
magic... what could she do? Her fist clenched and unclenched repeatedly. She wanted to help her people, she wanted vengeance for the death of her
mother. She hoped that she could make a difference. Remembering her kingdom, which had went up in flames as she had left... she felt a strange cold
haze cover her heart, a strange beat strummed through her mind. A strange look overtook her eyes, a veil of coldness had covered them, a strange
feeling of hatred overcame her.
//~*~\\
Sakura quickly washed her face and neck, reveling in the clean feel of water against her skin. Getting a bar of fragrant soap, she rubbed it
with her wet hands until it started foaming with white bubbles. She washed her wound thoroughly with a towel, and hesitated, before she removed her
articles of clothing to take a quick wash. Scrubbing harshly against her skin, she washed off all the grime and dirt from her travels. Her wound was
recovering quickly, of course, Tomoyo did put a spell on it to make it heal faster and stop bleeding. Sakura's eyes saddened at the thought of her friend,
who had only wanted to do what was right and good. After she finished rinsing her hair, she drained the small tub, and dried herself before she got into
a new article of clothing which the Starr family servants had laid out. Sakura set her face with determination, she was not going to let Julian die.
Syaoran shook his wet hair, he looked around the Starr's palace, it was remarkably smaller then his large palace, but it was filled with
something he could not understand, something like a mysterious aura. He kept walking, his hands tracing the complex designs etched onto the wall of
the castle. Small vines and monsters and creatures Syaoran found vaguely familiar danced about him in the stone walls. The red and silver traipses
around him glimmered and sparkled in the bright torch lights. His mind soon wandered to Sakura, his bodyguard. It was strange, having a girl watch
over you. He scratched the itch behind his wrist. He had watched Sakura fight, it was more of a dance then fighting... She moved lithely, lightly, agile...
unlike the power you have to have in order to fight... she had quickness, grace, and fluid movements which he envied. He shook his head and sighed,
but she was pitiful. Her strength was weak, what made her victorious was her speed and agility. She moved fast enough to surprise the enemy, she had
enough speed to actually land many hits as possible without getting hurt. Her movements were quick and snake like, her defense was strong, but her
offense was a bit lacking. But he had to admit, though she was a pathetic girl, she had good techniques. His eyes wandered over the fur carpet and
towards the room Sakura was supposedly in. He wanted to go in and talk to her about tactics and strategy, but... it would only end as a fight. He
scratched his head and glared at the wooden floor.
The door opened with a creak, making Syaoran jump. Sakura look at him, her eyes blank. "What are you here for?" Syaoran felt heat rise up his
cheeks, how dare this girl speak so cheekily to him?! "I came to tell you something." He retorted, his voice laced with arrogance and disdain. His eyes
were cold and distant. "Hurry up Sakura Kinomoto, we have about 20 minutes before Optius and Nubis arrives. I have foreseen it. I can sense his aura,
and I'm pretty sure he can sense ours by now Sakura." Sakura broke into a cold sweat, as she suddenly felt the presence of another magic...
//~*~\\
Another 20 men fell, and died at Nubis's feet. Nubis's eyes were angry, his lips were twitching uncomfortably, and his brows were drawn
together in a scowl. These cursed traps made with magic was getting on his nerves. Nubis brought his stallion around to face Optius. "Can't you just
destroy all the barriers and traps at once?" Nubis snarled impatiently. Optius scowled back at him, he waved a wrinkled hand as he smoothed his sweat
soaked robe of blue and gold velvet. "Magic takes patience." Optius wiped his sweat with the back of his palm, he couldn't last much longer, he had
to build his strength, he needed his two trained mages. "Iris! Tyler!" He called hoarsely, he made a dry smacking noise with his dried cracked lips. He was so
thirsty. They two mages glided toward him, they were dressed in all black robes. Iris looked up at her teacher, her eyes bright yellow, almost cat like.
"Water." He commanded her, she immediately withdrew a small water skin from her robes and gave the bundle of precious liquid to her teacher. Optius
drank thirstily, and wetly smacked his lips as he looked down at his other student, his great grandson. Tyler. Like him, he had red eyes... like Optius
when he was young... he had hair as blue as the deep ocean sea. "Tyler." He said gently, his red eyes gentling as he looked at someone with his blood
running through him. His great grandson kneeled down. "Yes teacher?" Grieved at such formal words, Optius swallowed once before he continued. "Run
your magic up towards the path and tell me how many magical barriers are left." Tyler nodded and brought out his blood red aura raced up through
the path and retracted just as quickly. "Two more." Tyler said, his eyes glinting strangely. Optius sighed. "Tyler and Iris, it is time for you to take a try with
magic." Nubis just smirked, he knew Optius was tiring and refused to accept that he was too old for the job. "You tiring Optius?" Nubis asked, his lips
twitching into a cruel smirk. Optius frowned, "Of course not!" He said huffily, his eyes darting around him nervously. "My students need to excersice their
skills in this hand son experiment." Nubis grinned. 'Yea right.' Optius scowled, he was starting to dislike his pawn also known as his partner, more and
more. He shot up suddenly, as well as his other two students. They felt a presence, the presence of a pink and green aura, which Optius instantly
recognized, he groaned, things wasn't working right.
//~*~\\
Julian helped a woman get through the back door, the way to go towards the rolling hills in the kingdom of the Dragon Lords. Sakura hurried
up, wearing a thickly padded cloak suited for cold weather. "Julian, did you get everyone out of here? We only have 2 minutes till their arrival!" Julian
nodded, "I think so. I'll go on ahead, check up behind me will you? Quickly, with your magic." Sakura nodded, Syaoran passed by her, frowning. "Where
are you going?" He asked. Sakura's back stiffened, she hated his arrogant voice at times. Flippantly she tossed her hair behind her and scowled at him.
"Scouting." Sakura pressed her lips primly together, she wasn't going to tell Julian she didn't know how to scout for people... She was guessing it was
something like probing for magic. Gently, she let her untamed magic flow from her body, she let her magic float over the town, washing the town in a
light pink color. Syaoran frowned. "Prince Starr..." "Call me Julian." Julian replied quickly as he helped a child and a old woman cross out through the
door. Syaoran hesitated. "Julian... Sakura doesn't know how to--" There was a sudden sound of slamming at the gate of the city. Syaoran had securely
locked it before. "They're here." Julian said, his face tight as he heard the steady beat of war sounding at the gate of his kingdom.
Syaoran pushed Julian through the door and hesitated, "Sakura!" She did not heed him, she was as still as stone, her face was pale and a sickly
shade of white, little beads of sweat dripped from her forehead. Syaoran decided not to go on ahead. "We'll be right behind you." Syaoran called to
Julian. Julian frowned. "You can't leave like this, they're here!" Syaoran ignored the remark and shut the door on Julian's face and barred it so Julian
couldn't come back in without his consent. "Sakura!" He called, her eyes twitched slightly from behind her closed eyelids, but that was the only response.
Sakura started to make little gasping noises and all her pink magic flew into her body. Her eyes snapped open, startling Syaoran with her large green
eyes. "There's a kid..." She panted, "He's still in the nursery room of a merchants house at the right!" Syaoran blanched. "Don't tell me you're going back for
the child..." He said slowly. Sakura smiled stiffly. "I must, I told Julian I would." Sakura threw up a magical shield in front of the gate, which was starting
to break under the steady pounding of the large wooden beam which the army outside was trying to break in with.
Syaoran didn't know why he protected such a fool hardy and crazy girl. "AND I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY BODYGUARD!!!" Syaoran roared as he
ran swiftly after her. She shrugged him off, her eyes trained ahead of her. She didn't want to tell him, but she was itching to fight. She hated them, every
bit of Nubis's army, they weren't going to stay alive... no... she will KILL Nubis with her bare hands... The faint cry from the child echoed in the deep
recessive area of her mind. She suddenly broke through her black cloud of hatred and ran faster, a child was waiting... for what? His rescue or his
doom?
Syaoran watched her run, her eyes seemed to change from a deep murderous color of dark green to a sudden softer shade of a lighter green,
he wondered what was going through her head now... He muttered a curse as he heard the wall splintering and breaking. He turned around and put
another green shield behind Sakura's. 'They have two people to deal with now.' Syaoran said stubbornly. He couldn't believe he was doing this.
Sakura opened every door, but she couldn't find the yellow room she had envisioned with her magic. A quite sob drew her to a room, the last
room at the far right. Quickly opening the door, she found a little boy crying, dressed in a small yellow suit, the kid sat their, bawling. He was only a few
months old. Her eyes softened as she hoisted the boy on her shoulders. The boy cried louder, drool dripped down from his open mouth and she felt
wetness from the child's tears on her back. Soothing the child, she ran down the stairs and out. She stopped, Syaoran stood there, waiting for her. "Why
did you..." Syaoran looked at her indifferently. "Wait for you?" He asked loftily. "Well, obviously, I came because Julian told me to look after you." Sakura's
face became bright red with anger. "LISTEN!" She barked. "If you came to badger me, then stop it ok? And I don't need a babysitter, I am YOUR
bodyguard god dammit!" Her yelling made the child bawl even louder, making Syaoran wince. "Lets wait a while longer so Nubis can get us." Syaoran
said sarcastically. He stopped Sakura, her face has gone a strange pallor of white. "You ok?" Sakura shook her head. "No, I'm fine."
Sakura kept seeing double vision. When she had used her magic, it was horrible... The magic fought against her control. It yearned for
something she didn't know. It wasn't tame. What was the matter with her magic? Using almost all her strength in using her magic, Sakura felt fatigue
weigh down her bones. At least physically she was exhausted. But the magic inside of her was restless... like lava about to erupt from a volcano, she felt
herself getting hot and cold at the same time. Syaoran's usual cold brown eyes looked at her in concern and he took the little kid from Sakura hands
and hoisted the kid on his back 'Sakura, Come on, lets go." Sakura staggered to the side. She saw flashbacks of her parents dying, her friends fighting...
the strange wave of magic which killed her friends... Her magic boiled hot in her veins. Sakura's eyes started to roll back to her head. She staggered to
the side and fell to a knee. "Sakura!" Syaorans voice was faint, compared to the strange buzzing side within her head. She heard her fathers voice over
and over again, it was as if he was alive. She swore she saw her father standing above her, his large glasses covering his warm brown eyes.
"Sakura? I'm going to go buy some gifts from the city, would you like me to buy you some sugar candy?"
His voice was a empty echo of a gentle person who once was, but now wasn't.... The voice of the one she loved.
A strange burst of anger pricked something within her, which had been dying to come out since day one, since the day Nubis had killed her parents.
Sakura pushed Syaoran back with her magic. "S-s-sakura... you're glowing pink." Syaoran commented, becoming a little scared as Sakura started to
pant and groan out loud. Sweat ran down her face and her eyes were clenched shut. It was as if something was trying to get out. Sakura let out a small
groan of agony... something... something was trying to get out, and she was trying to hold it down. She sensed no good would come of letting go of
something that was boiling so hot and angry in her veins. It felt like it would burst and erupt.
It did.
To be continued....
A/N: Ok, the next chapter will explain what happened to Sakura. Its a big part for the rest of the story. *waggles a finger* R AND R PLEASE! REVIEW!!!!!
~Peony
