Of Lions and Dragons
Chapter 6
Disclaimer:
*Sob* don't own *sob* CCS. If I did, I would be Sakura and Syaoran would be MINE! Muahahahaha! *Little Sakura grins evilly and then collapses as Cherry-chan, Fire-chan and Nicole-chan knock unconscious with whapping sticks* that's it, no more fanfiction! Hehehe…just kidding.
Author's Notes:
I don't even know why I do this every time; it's probably just to ramble. S+S MAJOR will be coming soon, but their relationship is going to take a little while. See me rambling again…
Chapter 6
Sakura's eyes darted back and forth through the darkness; eyes following every one of the night's ominous shadows. She glanced about her, everyone else was asleep; she was the only one still awake. Wrapping her arms around her body, Sakura hugged her knees to her chest in an attempt to keep warm and began to whimper. Syaoran stirred in his sleep and searched the darkness for the source of the sobbing. Throwing his blankets aside, he stumbled through the darkness and almost tripped over something on the ground. When he opened his eyes, he found himself gazing down into frightened emerald. The green orbs softened and closed as they realized the form on top of them. "Li-kun onegai could you get off of me?"
Syaoran blushed and realized the very person he was laying on was Sakura. He stood up and held his hand out to her. "Gomen nasai."
Taking his hand, Sakura shook her head and smiled. "Iie, it's okay."
Syaoran looked to her face, full of frightened worry. He blushed and looked down to his feet. "Do…do you… do you wanna take a walk?"
Sakura blushed too and nodded.
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"What's wrong?"
Sakura glanced over at Syaoran through the darkness, confused at the only words that had been spoken between their walk. "I…couldn't sleep."
"Doushite?"
Sakura shivered and wrapped her arms around her body again. "Ever since I was little, I've had this dreadful fear of ghosts. Onii-chan would always tell me about the old man floating nearby, or the young woman with flowing hair over there, always poor souls left to wander between worlds."
Syaoran clenched his fists, how could he scare Sakura like that? 'Where the hell did that come from?' The amber-eyed teen shook it off and casually ran a hand through his messy chestnut hair. "Why did he tell you all that?"
"After okaa-san died, Toya gained this acute ability to sense ghosts."
"Gomen nasai."
"For what?"
"Your okaa-san."
"Iie, it's not your fault Li-kun, that's life, or…fate. Whatever it is…I know she's watching me, and otou-san, onii-chan too, from heaven."
Syaoran looked touched. She was so pure of heart; despite losing someone she loved, she moved on, always remaining happy and carefree. She spread joy and light to everyone around her, even reaching into his own cold heart. Crossing his arms Syaoran whispered, "My otou-san died when I was young, I never knew him. I only knew that he possessed magic, the Western Magic. Okaa-san has Eastern Magic."
"What are they like, your family I mean?"
Syaoran's face set back into a hard expression and he snickered. "What family?"
"Hoe?"
"After otou-san died, okaa-san became very strict. I trained every day, magic, martial arts, studying, everything."
"It must have been hard, demo see though? Look how you've prevailed."
"Nani?" Syaoran questioned.
Sakura blushed at the praise she had just given her newfound friend and shook her head. "Nademonai."
"So what was that thing about ghosts?" Syaoran offered changing the subject.
Sakura stiffened. "While everyone else was asleep, I kept sensing something."
"A Clow Card?"
"Hai, but somehow stronger and dark, so very dark."
"Nani?"
"It made me feel so alone! Like I was the only left in this world, all by myself…all alone…no one was there to help me…to catch me should I have fallen. It's a terrible feeling."
Syaoran stood perplexed, he had no idea what to do or say, he could only stare at her with sad amber eyes. Then his gaze turned to the front of their path. He lightly tapped Sakura's shoulder and pointed in the distance. Sakura squinted her eyes but saw nothing but darkness.
O key which hides the powers of Darkness
Reveal thy true form to me
I, Sakura command you under contract
Release!
Instantly the sealing staff appeared in a glowing circle before her and Sakura grasped it firmly with both hands. Pulling a card from her pocket she tossed it into the air and tapped it gently with her wand. "Glow!"
Thousands of tiny green spheres sprinkled the darkness, lending a gentle radiance in contrast to the cold blackness of night. "What or where was it Li-kun?"
Syaoran pulled the black pendant from his neck, instantly producing a gleaming silver blade. "This way, come on!" Syaoran grabbed Sakura's hand and hastily but lightly led her through the night. Sakura pulled ahead and kept running blindly until her feet met with air and not ground. A pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around her waist and pulled her back onto safe earth. However what Sakura saw was different. Black shadows encircled her, when she turned her head, instead of seeing Syaoran's warm amber eyes; she met with a cold black guise, red eyes and no emotion. She struggled and pounded the figure before her, its hoarse voice chanting her name. "Sakura…" The voice began to soften into a deep gentle one, the dark shadows becoming tan flesh, messy chestnut hair covering the specter's head, red eyes turning to that of welcome amber. "Sakura…" Syaoran stopped, realizing he had just called his potential rival by her first name. Sakura however was oblivious and only crumpled to the ground, Syaoran's strong arms catching her and lifting her up against the safety of his chest. He walked carefully over to the side of the cliff and motioned for Glow to light up the scene before him. Glow's tiny globes illuminated the wide expanse of an immense lake, dropping at least ten feet below, a previously unnoticed water fall flowing peacefully nearby. Syaoran sighed, whatever was there was gone now and it was pointless to try to find the way back to camp tonight. Syaoran looked around and noticed a large tree nearby. He effortlessly jumped with Sakura in his arms to it's highest branches and set himself in a cluster of tree limbs high in the mighty tree. Gathering a bunch of leaves he laid them down and set himself against the trunk of the tree. One of his eyes opened, and he watched Sakura sleep, all alone, exactly what she hated and feared. Gathering her up into his arms, Syaoran placed her next to him and tucked his cloak about her shoulders. "Oyasumi Sakura."
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"Sakura-chan! Sakura-chan! Sakura-chan!"
Kinomoto Sakura's eyes flickered open and she looked directly next to her to see Syaoran sleeping peacefully, a small smile adorning his lips. (AN: How I would love to wake up to see Syao-chan sleeping like a baby!) Sakura smiled at how childish, he looked while sleeping; completely adorable. Hesitantly, she reached out her fingertips and brushed a lock of chestnut hair from his face. "Sakura…" he whispered gently. Sakura backed up dazed. 'Li-kun, he just called me by my first name…maybe he…NO! He doesn't think of you that way Sakura, get over yourself! He's engaged to Meiling! Your flirting with him before got you bitch slapped. Iie, just forget about it.' Syaoran opened his eyes to see a very surprised Sakura and his ears caught the shouts of her name. "They're looking for us."
Sakura nodded and smiled gently as Syaoran helped her out of the tree.
Tomoyo came running up behind Eriol and glanced back and forth between her best friend and the Chinese sorcerer. "Mou! I missed some major moments here!"
Sakura and Syaoran blinked and spoke in unison. "Moments?"
Eriol grinned and glanced back to Tomoyo. "I told you so."
Tomoyo threw her hands into the air and rolled her eyes. "I give up! They're too dense!"
"Hoe?" Sakura still confused about everything questioned. (Gomen but Sakura is kind of clueless)
Presently, Rhyu and Kero in mini forms, and Meiling came stomping up to the group and everyone stared curiously at the sorcerer and sorceress. Syaoran glared at them and balled his hands into fists. "What is this some kind of theater? Show's over!"
Tomoyo shook her head and took out her charcoal pencil and sketchpad. "Oh no Li-kun…we're just watching the previews, the show hasn't even started yet."
Sakura and Syaoran fell over anime style as the amethyst-eyed artist giggled enthusiastically. (AN: Usually it'd be video-taping girl or something but they didn't have those in medieval times now did they?)
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The small expedition trudged on wearily, the heat of day was starting to get to them and they were now almost thankful for the coolness night brought about. Meiling reluctantly rode on Kerberos's back, Tomoyo and Eriol still sleeping on Rhyu's own scaly one. Sakura and Syaoran walked unintentionally side by side, both also dozing from the intense heat. "So hot…" Sakura groaned.
Syaoran produced a card from his pocket and touched the point of his sword to the rectangle. "Mist!" Instantly a cool mist settled around them, making the journey much more comfortable. Sakura unconsciously glanced to the young warrior by her side, eyes involuntarily traveling over his well developed form. The cool mist settled on his toned body, making it glisten it the midday sun and every few minutes he would run a hand through his unruly chestnut hair. (AN: *blushes* gomen nasai, I have this ummm…obsession with Syaoran and I'm putting myself in Sakura's shoe's. But I mean come on, Syaoran is sooooooooooo kawaii!) Sakura sighed and Syaoran looked at her puzzled, "Nani?"
The honey-haired sorceress shook her head, cheeks turning a light pink. "Nademonai."
"Demo it is strange." Syaoran articulated quietly.
Sakura immediately grew defensive. "Nani?"
Syaoran gestured around them with his hand. "How quickly this heat came about. I mean, just last night you were shivering in your sleep."
"Hoe?" Hontou, I was?"
Syaoran instantaneously blushed and stammered. "Uh…that is…to say…umm. I just…." With even redder cheeks he recalled last night. How Sakura had been shivering in her sleep and how he had pulled her body to his, keeping her safe in his arms, the only place he ever wanted her to be. "Well…then…and…I…"
Suddenly Sakura stopped dead in her tracks and clamped her hand over the Chinese sorcerer's mouth, eliciting a small groan of protest from the warrior and a plea of silence from the lithe female cardcaptor. "Something's here." Sakura looked up to Syaoran and he nodded both speaking in unison. "Clow Card."
Sakura ran off at full speed, quickly transforming her key in the seal staff. Syaoran turned around and signaled for the small assemblage to stay behind. When he turned again, Sakura was already gone. He searched frantically in all directions, ambers eyes darting frantically back and forth through the foliage. 'Damn't! Where the hell did she go? Why did Sakura have to run off like that, what if she's hurt? I couldn't forgive myself, but why? Why do I care so much for my potential rival? Argh, you baka, while you stand here talking to yourself, she could be in danger!' Syaoran shook his head at his stupidity and instead closed his eyes, searching for the faint sense of a light pink aura he knew to be Sakura's. "Yosha…" he whispered as he took off in a northern direction.
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Sakura came to a small clearing and stopped in the center, something was here she could feel it. A small crackle caught her attention and she watched in horror as a wall of golden flames began to encircle her. She dashed to an opening but was thrown back as another wall of flames leapt from the scorched ground. Backing up, she gazed up in awe as a figure rose from the blaze. It was the body of an elfin teen, blonde bangs falling over a red band across its forehead, red eyes burning deeper than the fire itself. Feathery cream wings spread from the elfish fire sprite and flapped gently, casting little circles of fire around the teen Card Mistress. "Fiery Card," she whispered.
"Kinomoto!"
Sakura turned her head in the direction of the voice, and watched as Syaoran appeared in the clearing. "Li-kun!"
That small distraction was all that Fiery needed. A ball of flame rose up into his hands, and he smiled wickedly as he hurled the fire ball at Sakura's diverted form. Syaoran's ever vigilant amber eyes caught Fiery's wicked smile and the orb of flame heading towards the green-eyed sorceress. Without hesitation, he darted over to Sakura. "Oi, watch out!" He cried out suddenly as he threw himself over the bewildered Card Mistress, the ball of flame hitting his own back, a burning sensation taking place and spreading with intense pain. Sakura looked up to him, green eyes wide with astonishment. "Doushite Li-kun? Now you're hurt? Why did you…" Sakura trailed off and tears started to form in her emerald eyes as Syaoran rolled off of her and lay on his injured back, panting heavily, eyes shut tightly to keep the own tears that threatened to stream down his face. She gently stroked the side of his face and brushed a lock of hair from his eyes. Sakura's eyes narrowed in anger and she stood up, gripping her staff. "How dare you hurt Li-kun like that?!"
"Watery!" Sakura cried out in fury as a wave of water swirled around the fiery elf.
The attack was unsuccessful and Syaoran mumbled wearily. "Try using…" he winced, "try using Watery in combination with Windy. They'll become allies."
"Windy and Watery?"
"Hai."
"Demo…" Sakura looked to Syaoran, he was losing his strength fast, any longer and he might not make it. She bowed her head and whispered. "I don't think I can…" Fiery grew impatient and hurled a small flaming sphere at Sakura. She felt herself thrown backward, her back coming into contact with a large tree, "Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!"
Syaoran stood up shakily and cursed the Fiery. "You flaming demon, I'm going to put you through a living hell!" He whisked an ofuda from his vest and put it to his now at hand sword. "Spirit of Water, I summon thee!" (AN: Gomen, I don't remember what the Japanese saying for this was considering I don't have a CCS tape where he calls upon that spirit) Syaoran's rage powered the magical onslaught of water and distracted Fiery enough for him to kneel by Sakura's side.
"Kinomoto, daijobu desu ka?"
Sakura nodded shakily but determinedly. "Hai, daijobu."
He still looked unconvinced and Sakura only nodded. "What do you say we capture this thing together?"
"Hai."
Sakura raised her staff and pointed it to the tip of two rectangular cards. "Windy...wate…" Sakura's strength faltered and she began to sink to the ground. A strong arm placed itself on her shoulder and another hand firmly grasped hers on the staff. "Li-kun…"
He nodded sternly but gently whispered, "Summon them again."
Sakura eyes widened, but she nodded in understanding. "Windy, Watery, trap Fiery and bring him down!" (AN: Gomen that was lame)
A young golden woman floated from the Windy, dancing on her gentle breezes and fueling Watery's attack, bringing a very fuming Fiery steaming to the ground. "Li-kun capture it!"
Syaoran looked to her. "Nani?"
"Hurry!"
Syaoran nodded and pointed the tip of his blade down to the Fire Spirit.
Return to the guise you were meant to be in, Clow Card!
The young Chinese teen frowned as he looked down to the card materializing in his hand. "You're lucky you're a Clow Card or I would have…" Syaoran trailed off as he collapsed to the forest floor.
"Li-kun!" Sakura cried out running to her injured friend. She propped his head against her chest and softly traced her fingers along his face. "Daijobu desu ka?"
The touch of Sakura almost made him faint but he nodded grimly anyway. "Hai."
"Come on let's go."
"I…can't go on back to camp without me."
Sakura stood up hands on her hips. "Nani? Do you think that I'm going to just leave you like this?"
Syaoran grimaced and propped himself up against a nearby tree. "I'll be fine."
"I'm getting sick of this attitude of yours Li Syaoran..."
"Then why are you still here?"
Sakura looked hurt and Syaoran automatically regretted his harsh words. Sakura
looked down for a moment then just stared at the amber-eyed teen. "Because that's
what friends do, they help each other when they're in need. Now it's my turn to
help you."
Syaoran blinked but said nothing as Sakura put her injured friend's arm over her shoulder and helped him stand. He winced in pain but tried to hide it unsuccessfully as Sakura took notice. "What's wrong?"
"Nademonai."
Sakura gasped as she felt something wet on her hand, and removed it from Syaoran's back. Crimson red blood covered her hand and the length of the young male cardcaptor's back. "Kami-sama, you're injured worse than I thought." Sakura looked around frantically, there was no way she could carry him all the way back in this condition. With one hand she reached into the pocket and pulled out another card. "F-Fly." She whispered. Elegant pink wings spread from Sakura's back and flapped once on their own before becoming stationary on the teenager's form. "Come on Li-kun."
"Nani?" he whispered despairingly.
"I'll carry you come on." Sakura alleged as she wrapped her arms around his waist, the young warrior protesting adamantly.
"Iie! I can walk on my own."
"No you cannot." She flapped her wings once, then twice, bringing her and the male Li into the air. She smiled down at him and closed her eyes. "After all…what are friends for?"
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Wow, this is the longest chapter I've written for this story so far. Gomen nasai that I didn't describe everything very well but I was doing three things at once and I got distracted. Anyway keep reviewing!
