Of Lions and Dragons
Chapter 14
Disclaimer:
Mou…this is such a waste of typing space. I don't own CCS.
Author's Notes:
Gomen ne for taking so long but due to technical difficulties I was unable to post this for a while. I also won't be giving the Elders any names so they are going to remain nameless, ne? So how is everyone enjoying my fic so far? I really hope you like it! Well onto Chapter…. (Drum roll here; for me this is big) 14!
Chapter 14
Previous chapter…
Kero fluttered over to the rumpled sheets and scratched his head. "It seems that she must've definitely been here demo…" Kero sweat dropped and he laughed. "Sakura is NEVER up before dawn intentionally." He sighed as a warm breeze passed over him and turned his attention to the window. "Ore? The balcony doors are open…" (AN: Ah, my deviance is overtaking)
As Tomoyo began searching in places Sakura would obviously never be and Eriol, Meiling, and Rhyu attempted to raise themselves off the floor, Kero glided over to the curtains and drew them back…
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…Only to find nothing less than the balcony and the view of the vast Li Clan Island looming out before his tiny black eyes. Kero hovered for a few moments in midair, his alert magical senses tracing nothing; not a presence nor glimmer of any kind. Instead of probing the situation further, he flitted over to the marble balustrade and softly alighted on its polished surface. Taking a deep breath, the presently diminutive Guardian Best of the Seal inhaled the overwhelmingly comforting, tropical scent the century's old island lent to the breezes and mused thoughtfully. It had been so many long and lengthy years since he had last been upon the island; he even had to ask the Kid if it was the right place. It had changed so much over the centuries since he had been in the company of his former master and…Kero frowned slightly, a disconcerting state of mind suddenly usurping his presently peaceful demeanor. 'Clow-sama…if you only knew how things would have turned out…' Kero beamed almost proudly upon recollecting the amazing destiny his Mistress was beginning to fulfill. His smile suddenly reset itself into a former scowl and he closed his eyes; almost squirming in the presence of his own knowledge. Raising his eyes to glance warily about his surroundings the plush toy-like beast pondered silently to himself. 'Demo…Sakura's destiny is far from complete. Hai…the Li Clan warrior now stands by her side…' He flinched in realization and again for the thought succeeding this one. 'Demo…nothing will prepare her…no prepare them for what Future places in their paths.'
"Kero-chan!"
The minute sentinel turned in the direction of the voice he knew all too well to be that of his Mistress's own best friend and shook his head to disperse the convoluted thoughts that had began to take form. Ascending from the banister, Kero fluttered back into the elaborate bedroom to announce his unsuccessful attempt at locating his mistress. "Iie… no Sakura there either."
Tomoyo placed a finger under her chin and contemplated the location of her childhood best friend. The young sorceress was athletic and agile; there was not doubt to that claim. However, she had the infamous reputation of being a late sleeper and the lilac-eyed girl could discern no reason as to why she was not occupying the elaborate bed in front of them. If not here she had to be with the stoic young warrior, no doubt. Snapping her fingers, Tomoyo turned to Meiling in question. "Ne, Meiling-chan, do you happen to know where Li-kun would be right now?"
The Chinese teen smiled knowingly and almost proudly at the request of the familiarity she knew all too well of her handsome Cousin's whereabouts. "Hai, I have a few wild hunches." She replied with a wink.
Kero smiled appreciatively to Tomoyo's quick thinking. Sakura's attraction to the future leader of the Clan was painfully obvious, disdainfully unconcealed even to him. One thing he had to hand to Tomoyo; she knew his Mistress as well as any best friend should and was always alert to any feelings and secrets the sorceress might share. "Good thinking Tomoyo—we find the Kid, we find Sakura."
"Precisely my thinking, Kero-chan."
With a final look around the room, Kero heaved his tiny golden shoulders and glided out the open door behind the small group he had previously entered with.
One minute passed…
Five minutes passed…
Ten minutes passed…
Until finally two breaths escaped in contented relief; coming from the rooftop just above the marble balcony. Soft giggles began to bubble forth from the teen Card Mistress and the stoic young sorcerer by her side could hardly hear the melodic mirth without allowing himself a chuckle or two.
"That was priceless!" Sakura exclaimed gleefully, the frantic search of her location still present in her mind.
Syaoran allowed himself a sly smirk. "Hai…demo can you imagine the inestimable opened-mouth gawk we would have received from your plush toy?"
The agile sorceress carefully illustrated the scene her sorcerer had just proposed to her in her mind's eye and let loose in another cascade of unbridled giggles. Just imagining the traumatized expression her golden protector would have modeled upon his round little face was too tempting to pass up. She gently chided her warrior with a light jab at one of his toned arms. "Demo should Kero-chan have found us as we were…" She carefully held up Syaoran's hand between them and giggled slightly. "I should think you would have been missing a few fingers."
Syaoran paused for a moment and unknowingly allowed a near seductive smile to tug at his lips. "Such a tragedy that would be."
"Ooo…Syaoran has flair for the dramatic." Sakura quipped; desperately trying not to succumb to the intense spell that Syaoran's smile seemed to lay upon her.
"No, not really." Syaoran answered nonchalantly, although Sakura could see the hint of playful delight in his dark gold eyes.
"Is that so?"
"Hai…not a
flair for the dramatic." He gently
pulled Sakura closer to him and she gasped in surprised glee. "Just love for an
angel."
And he tenderly brushed a lock of hair from Sakura's eyes, permitting him to
gaze willingly into the calming emerald gems before him.
Sakura felt the familiar blush rise into her cheeks. How one person could make her feel so utterly accepted and loved was beyond her. But Syaoran could do anything. He could alter himself from a stoic, fierce and seemingly heartless warrior to a gentle and tender lover in the next instant. She smiled with obvious pleasure and lightly trailed a finger down her love's soft cheek; seeming to engrave each of his handsome features into her mind in that one satisfying moment. The way the presently rising sun bounced off the coppery tints of his chestnut locks and the subtle way the tropical zephyrs had of teasing them across his face with gentle fingers. The way his tawny warm eyes gleamed and shone with a sort of mischievous and playful mirth when he teased her. The way they could instantly soften to a point just so that their tantalizing fire shone forth through his deep amber to penetrate her heart. The way he could hold her to him in such a way that made her ease into a state of being that no harm should ever come near should she be safe in his arms. The way…just the way that he was. Many in all probability would have found some fault to the future Clan Leader but not the girl tenderly caressing his cheek. In her eyes, mind, and soul all that he was embodied the epitome of perfect love…her perfect love.
Syaoran reached up to his cheek to tenderly place his hand upon the soft one of that one Kinomoto Sakura. She beamed up at him in pure adoration. "Well then I must be a hopeless romantic." She murmured softly.
The warrior arched an eyebrow in mock surprise. "Oh? And just why, Cherry Blossom, would that be?"
Sakura blushed as her love referred to her in the beauty of her delicate namesake and soon intertwined her fingers with his. "Because…I'm hopelessly in love with you, Little Wolf."
Syaoran cupped Sakura's face in both of his strong hands and gingerly brushed his fingers over her silky skin. "Well then, that makes two of us." She closed her eyes in bliss of the tender admission and he kissed her with all the tenderest love present within him.
From a distance of generous concealment a lone figure watched the two Card Captors affectionately embrace upon the rooftop of the expansive Li Mansion. He watched in neither contempt nor joy; just slightly amused. His pale blue ice-like eyes watched in continued and involved interest. 'Power simply radiates from them with great force…but they soon face a day of trial. Only Fate can determine one of many un-foretold conclusions in the paths of their destinies.' With a slim smile the being waved his hand and the sphere of silver-blue tint he had formerly been scrutinizing the magic wielding duo with disappeared. Kneeling to one knee he rested his head on slender fingers as he tenderly massaged his temple. 'Clow-sama…I did not wish for this…'
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The sultry air of the island began to waver and flicker with a life of its own; the unnatural phenomenon incongruously occurring in only one small area. In a matter of a few moments, the indistinguishable matter began to take shape; the curvilinear figure of a tall woman beginning to materialize. Blinding white light illuminated the verdant jungles of the Li Clan Isle; causing a few exotic birds to recoil in trepidation. A brave cockatoo lowered a wing from his beak and cocked his head to the side in pure bafflement. Where once there had been only the lush vegetation of the jungle and the silent hush of nature, there now stood a being whose head was nearly level to his on the adjacent branch. The figure opened its eyes and immediately turned to the cockatoo with testing eyes; as if the tiny bird should question her presence. Without further inspection, the branch was left vacant; a few multicolored feathers the only substantiation of the former occupant's existence. Li Yelan smiled to herself. Teleportation. Definitely one of the many advantages of possessing powerful magic. Her smile faded to a frown; raising the semblance to her Son's own typical expression. Her next task would not be as effortless as teleporting from one side of the island to the other. That was child's play. She raised her eyes to the ancient looking edifice before her in apprehension. The tiny temple nearly exploded with potent magic and crackled with definition as she and her white aura passed through the entryway. With a wave of her slender hands, the entrance of the temple vanished; leaving only a cold stone wall in its place. She smiled with satisfaction. This would surely keep out any interlopers. A chill passed through her graceful frame and her eyes darted uneasily through the darkness. Temple or no temple, it was dissimilar to any other customary place of worship. This was the Shrine of the Li Clan Elders. True, she was the present head of the Li Clan, but the Elders also dictated the Matriarch's family and were a harsh lot to contend with. With a deep breath of courage, the Matriarch squared her shoulders and glided softly down the silent halls of the sanctuary; her blinding white aura lighting the pitch darkness around her. No sound was heard save the soft tap-tap of Yelan's heels upon the firm interlocked stones of the flooring, everything else was enveloped in a thick canopy of deafening silence. The pace of the leader's stride quickened as she discerned a faint light radiating from the end of the hallway; piercing through the darkness like a blade of pure light. As she neared closer and closer, her magical senses blazed with awareness and she soon found herself in the vast room of the Elders. She silently marveled around her. No matter that she had seen and indeed visited the shrine before for the Elder's guidance or permission; the place of worship was utterly indescribable. Cleverly hidden in one of the many looming mountains present on the islet, at first glance the shrine was only a small formation. Should one enter its dark halls they could easily become lost in one of its many twisting corridors and hallways. The larger portion of the temple was actually an illusion. There was only one straight path to the Room of the Elders; blatant to only possessors of magic. And the Room was magnificent in itself. White blocks precisely chiseled to perfection stretched the expanse of the floor from wall to wall; the slabs of stone glowing with the many and elaborate Chinese spells and legends engraved upon them. Giant—almost monolithic—columns rose from the floor to the elevated domed ceiling, lustrous in pure gold layers. But beyond the four gleaming columns there arose a rostrum of grand proportions. And seated upon this elevated stage were the Elders of the Li Clan; seemingly lost in deep mediation. Each and every one of them was elderly and wizened from years of experience and being in co-control of the Clan. They were clad in the traditional ceremonial robes of the Li Family and each of the four Elders sported one of the four basic elements upon their tunics; Wind, Water, Fire, and Earth. However there was one Elder left. He was the leader of the Elders, bearing the element of Lightning across his robes. Silence ensued and before the Matriarch's request could leave her lips, the Lead Elder stood; the rest of the faction doing so in perfect time behind him. "You failed Yelan." He voiced coldly, glaring down to the present Clan leader with yellowish eyes. The others nodded in agreement and Yelan rose to her feet from the respectful kneeling position she had taken on the soft cushions.
"Such false statement the Elders make." She retorted boldly clicking her tongue.
The head Elder took a tentative step forward; both wary and apprehensive of the Matriarch's stubborn streak and bravery. After all, he and his companions had trained her in the Old Ways, only preparing her for the guidance of her Clan. They had succeeded beautifully. In a few short years, the youthful Yelan had transformed the distraught and battle weary family into the most powerful Clan in all of China. She was indeed a force to be reckoned with. "Do you dare question us, Yelan?"
"Hai."
The Elder of Water stepped forward and held her gaze in place with cerulean orbs lacking the luster they once possessed. "We presented you with one simple request. You failed to accomplish this."
"I am certain I did not." Yelan replied knitting her brows in growing anger.
"Your Son—no! Our future Leader's one duty was to retrieve the Clow Cards!" The Fire Elder exclaimed. His reddish eyes narrowing in growing annoyance to his former scholar.
The Elder bearing Earth advanced. "Xiao Lang was presented with this task. He failed. Your Son is a failure." He turned from Yelan with a glare and clasped his hands tightly behind his back.
The Matriarch gritted her teeth to keep from unleashing the torrent of anger and magic she threatened to unleash on the Elders. No one called her Son a failure. Syaoran was fully capable of doing anything Life placed into his hands. Just because he hadn't exactly brought the Clow Cards back alone didn't necessarily mean that all was lost. He had brought something—someone—else back with him. And she had plans; plans that were beginning to become clearer and more promising than she would have hoped. "I really hope you did not mean that." Yelan countered defiantly.
"You dare to—"
"Stop."
The small group gathered in the large hall glanced perplexedly to the voiced command spoken from the oldest of the Elders. He was the Element of Wind. The most perceptive, wizened and understanding. "Yelan has a proposal, should you not wait until she is done to make your reckless accusations?"
The present Matriarch smiled gratefully. "Arigatou Elder."
"Don't thank me just yet." His face wore a firm expression but she could see the hopeful gleam of understanding from his pale eyes. "You still have yet to announce your preposition."
"Hai, hai." Yelan stated with a dismissive gesture of her hand.
The other quartet of Elders glowered in mistrusting but seated themselves in elaborate chairs all the same; giving the mother of the warrior an unspoken command to continue her request. She took a deep breath and firmly faced the Elders. "Xiao Lang did succeed in retrieving the cards. Have you not felt their presence?"
Silence followed and the Lightning Elder closed his eyes. "True, the Clow Cards subsist in existence here on the island; demo…" He concentrated his powers slightly and reopened his eyes. "They are in the presence of a being other than your Son."
"Hai." Yelan retorted.
"How many cards are left to capture?" One of the Elders questioned.
Silence followed as each person in the room attempted to sum up the amount of beings left for imprisonment within the Tarot-like cards.
"Four."
The Li Clan mother raised her eyes to the Wind Elder in genuine revelation. "Nani? That's it?"
"Hai. Xiao Lang has succeeded brilliantly." He looked down to his hands folded in his lap and then back to Yelan's diamond-like eyes. "However he was aided with assistance from…"
""The Card Mistress."" The Wind Elder and Matriarch stated concurrently.
"But that's impossible!" Fire blazing in his eyes much like the element he represented alighted in an instant and the Elder stood from his chair in astonishment. "That was just a legend!"
"Hai! He's right! No such 'Card Mistress' exists!" Another Elder ejaculated.
The younger Elders squabbled incessantly and the Wind Elder raised his voice just slightly to calm the turmoil around him. "Quiet!"
Four heads rose in complete bewilderment and each once again resumed their seats as the Elder of Zephyrs continued. "Listen to you. We are the Elders of the Li Clan. Are duty was clearly left to us in Clow-sama's notes, ne?"
The Elders bowed their aging heads in disgrace and nodded wordlessly.
"It seems to me that we have all been forgetting our place." The Elder massaged his temple wearily and began to recite the passage concerning the Clan Elders. "'As I leave my body behind I can only hope for the best of my descendants. The Li Clan, such as a small wolf now…seeking comfort and independence in a world of corruption. I hope for my successors' sake that things will transpire for the best and will surpass even beyond the aspirations I had anticipated for them. With my last requests I have assiduously elected a line of descendants to carry on the duty of guidance and wisdom. These shall be the Li Clan Elders. They shall endow the present leader with counseling and perspicacity to assist the head of the Clan in administration. Should they usurp the power they do not have and cross the boundaries of their duties, then I have failed in the selection of the beings I had expected to carry out my wishes.
~Clow Reed~'"
"Gomen nasai, Clow-san." One of the Elders whispered quietly as he nervously raised his head to Yelan's propitious face. "Gomen ne, Yelan. Onegai…what do you request?"
Yelan sighed inwardly of deep relief. She had begun to wonder if her proposal was never even to be presented. Once more kneeling to the plush cushions placed in front of her Yelan bowed respectfully and began. "Honorable Elders…my request concerns that of my Son, Xiao Lang; and the Card Mistress Kinomoto Sakura."
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Li Meiling frowned in genuine mystification. Her terra-cotta eyes narrowed on instinct and she silently cursed her bloodline for being the only one in the Li Family lacking magic. Never in all her seventeen years had she not known the whereabouts of her sword-wielding Cousin, Li Syaoran. He had always been a step or two away and no matter if he wasn't. She encompassed the knowledge of all his beloved hiding spots and former haunts. Kero alighted softly on top of her raven locks and hung himself upside down over her eyes. "Find anything yet, Brat?"
Meiling glared menacingly at Kero and he retreated to a safer position on her shoulder. "No…" Her expression softened to one of sincere worry for both her former fiancée and her newfound friend. "I can't find either Syaoran or Sakura." She turned to Kero, only to find the Guardian Beast hovering in the air with his nose raised to the atmosphere in bliss. "Hey Fluffy! Pay attention!"
Kero didn't answer with a smart remark or an insult as the magic lacking teen had anticipated and Tomoyo looked to Eriol and back to Kero in bewilderment. "Kero…daijobu desu ka?" The Guardian Beast of the Seal never passed up an opportunity to insult the Brat or the Kid.
Kero once again sniffed the air in pleasure. "Hmmm…something smells good…"
The scent in question drifted to the rest of the quintet and Rhyu hovered next to Kero in an identical position. Meiling immediately recognized the appetizing aroma and smiled proudly. "Hai. That would be breakfast."
""Nani?! Breakfast?!"" The duo of guardians exclaimed in delighted surprise.
"Hai." Meiling retorted flatly.
Kero immediately stiffened and plastered an adorable grin on his tiny round face. If he wanted to partake in this elaborate breakfast he would have to play a major act here. He alighted softly on Meiling's arm and she raised an eyebrow to him in a way that said, 'You've got to be kidding me.' Kero winced but tried to ignore it as he gave the raven-haired teen an irresistibly adorable pout. "Hehe…Meiling-sama…onegai will you take us to the kitchens?"
Meiling blinked in incomprehension and then mustered an equally counterfeit smile as she took the diminutive guardian by the paw and spun him around in a wide circle. "Oh of course Kero! I'll take you anywhere you want!"
Rhyu blinked in wonderment at his Master's cousin and his fellow guardian. He was convinced they had found some source of an alternate high on their search of the Li Clan premises. Tomoyo and Eriol looked to each other and then to the spinning pair and finally back to each other again. Something was definitely off here.
Kero smiled to Meiling in genuine gullible expectancy. "Honto?"
Meiling's eyes suddenly took on a very impish gleam similar to that of her Cousin and she stopped the spin in mid-circle. "Nope." And before the tiny Beast of the Seal could respond he found himself being stuffed into a nearby terracotta jar, Meiling's laughter breaking his hope for breakfast and unfortunately not shattering the jar he was contained in.
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Kinomoto Sakura fell back to into the luxuriant comforter adorning her bed and let an idyllic sigh escape her parted lips. Her morning had been nearly perfect; spent with the only one depicting the perfection she lived and pined for. The object of her affection had left only moments before, leaving a feathery soft kiss upon her forehead as he reluctantly exited her bedroom; promising to wait for her to attend breakfast. Shyly raising a slender finger to her rosy lips she touched them gingerly, almost delicately as if it would erase the feeling the young warrior had left upon them. To Sakura, the intense trance that Li Syaoran lay upon her each and every time they were near lingered even after she was apart from him. She could still feel him. His strong arms encircling her slender waist to hold her closer to the warmth of his body, his moist and tender lips gently and passionately working against hers as he portrayed through his loving embraces the extent of love and adoration he felt for her. She lay in tranquil silence a bit longer, her thoughts reaching out to her beloved amber-eyed sorcerer.
Knock, Knock, Knock
Three soft raps promptly sounded upon her door and Sakura padded over to the source of the sound on bare feet. Reaching for the golden handle she swiftly pulled it down and the door swung open on perfectly oiled hinges. An unadulterated smile rose to her lips as her eyes fell upon her beloved warrior. He looked at her for a moment and unhesitatingly pulled her into a warm embrace, the young woman complying just as simply. Syaoran rested his head on top of Sakura's and buried his face in the honey tendrils of her hair as his hands began smooth and deliberate trails along her supple back. How she could make him feel so completely at ease and wanted was beyond his wildest fantasy. He smiled to himself as the Card Mistress's hands snaked around to his shoulders as if to mold herself to him and his ocher eyes closed of their own accord to the spell she unknowingly wove upon him. Sakura just possessed a purely innocent glow about her, making her seem as unaccustomed to the world around her as a newly budding flower. But he knew her better by now. Indeed innocent and pure she was, but she was also strong; not only magically but physically, emotionally and mentally as well. She cared for everyone around her with such devotion and genuine sincerity that it only added to the sound rationale of why he loved her so deeply. She was the light that had turned his dark and selfish world to one of love and compassion. His hands stopped their pleasurable caress and Sakura looked up to him with a look of adorable puzzlement written upon her features. Syaoran sensed her confusion and without opening his eyes he whispered playfully, "You're still wearing your nightgown."
Sakura blushed a bit and looked down to the light and lacy slip that clung to her curves. Without answering him, she took a tiny step backward to gaze at her warrior in adoring awe. She kept her hands to the spot just above his elbows while his remained seemingly permanently attached to her slim waist. He wore a forest green tunic, dark green almost black pants ended around his ankles; oriental slippers adorning his feet. The long traditional sleeves ended in large cuffs by his wrists and were decorated with intricately and painstakingly unique embroidery. She silently marveled at how the traditional Chinese costume clung his strapping and well-developed physique, making another blush rise to her cheeks. Syaoran raised an eyebrow in question. "Something wrong, my Ying Fa?"
Sakura smiled in a nearly seductive manner as she raised a hand to toy with one of the obsidian buttons at the nape of his neck. "Nandemonai…" Syaoran began to blush as a slender finger left its occupation at the fastenings of his tunic and audaciously traveled up his neck; causing him to swallow the lump beginning to arise in his throat. Her brazen finger delicately glided across the skin of his neck and to his jaw line, the warrior drawing in a sharp intake of breath from his girlfriend's tender and sensual ministrations. Just when he thought he would faint from sensation overload, Sakura stopped her finger upon his lips and smiled genuinely to her love. "It's just that you look so handsome…Xiao Lang."
Syaoran carefully took Sakura's hand in his own and kissed her audacious finger tenderheartedly. A thrilled titillation raced up and down the young sorceress's spine at her beloved's amorous actions. With a contented sigh from Sakura, Syaoran felt his hands drift from her waist and press themselves to the small of her back. Without fully realizing his roaming hands, they traveled up between her shoulder blades and mischievously slipped under the thin strap of her nightgown. Sakura gasped in surprise but she did not stop him; she did not want to stop him. She had completely fallen under his spell. Unbeknownst to her however, the formerly stoic young warrior was already laid utterly beneath hers.
In his minds eye, Syaoran was captivated by the angel in his arms. She was as alluring as any woman on the earth could be to him, infinitely more than any of them. The way she molded so perfectly into his arms and fit to him flawlessly. And one by one each and every sense was filled to capacity with the lithe Cherry Blossom. Syaoran nuzzled his face tenderly to Sakura's cheek, smiling in satisfaction at the blissful sigh escaping from her lips; to which he promptly swallowed in a heart-aching kiss of tender love. He concentrated his entire being of memorizing each and every aspect of her. The cherry blossom scent saturating her soft tresses, the feel of her satin-like skin pressing into him more and more as their embrace deepened ever further. The taste…how Syaoran savored the sweet taste of her upon his lips and tongue. Their mouths exerted against one another in concupiscence, small voices of warning being ignored as both became more intrepid and deliberate with their actions. Syaoran's strong hands journeyed across Sakura's supple curves as he felt his heart race increase to a point it had never reached. His sense of control was slowly being replaced by the sensuous love he felt for her and he wanted nothing more than to prove it beyond passionate kisses and embraces. His fingers stopped toying with the strap on her nightgown and with painfully slow deliberation he began to slide it off her shoulder until it hung listlessly off her slender arm. Sakura sighed blissfully through moist and tender lips into the fervent kiss, Syaoran's inner and underlying desires surfacing as his mouth left her lips and softly kissed the spot on her shoulder where the emaciated strap had been only moments before. The teen Card Mistress gasped in pleasant surprise at her beloved's gentle and intimate gesture. Her lips slowly dropped down to his neck and placed loving and feathery kisses along his nape. Syaoran's ocher eyes widened in shocked realization and Sakura pulled her head back to her love's level. She gazed at him in a sense of almost fear; not of him but of what could have happened. The gentle warrior looked sadly to Sakura in genuine remorse, his dark golden eyes apologizing wordlessly. Sakura shook her head in negative; she knew it wasn't Syaoran's fault. They had begun to let their emotions run away with them, and without ceasing the heated caresses, they would have probably ended up doing something too soon.
Syaoran tucked a lock of hair behind Sakura's ear and pulled her into heartwarming embrace. "Gomen ne, Sakura…I…I…"
Sakura turned her head to softly press her lips to Syaoran's cheek. "Shhhh…it's alright." She tenderly ran her fingers through his hair and embraced him closer. "It's not your fault; we just got a little carried away, ne?" Secretly she couldn't believe that he was this contrite to doing something that had not even led anywhere. After all, he was the one who had stopped in fear of succumbing to budding desires, in fear of harming her. Most men wouldn't have stopped, only followed a natural instinct. But Syaoran wasn't like most men; he was special, one of a kind. A match or equal to him could never be revealed for there existed none. He truly was the gentle warrior with a heart of gold. Her gentle warrior. Could he really care about her…no love her so much as that he would suppress something she had been fully complying to in trepidation of hurting her?
"Hai."
Sakura looked in shocked and bewildered surprise to the young man in front of her. "Nani? Syaoran why did you say that?" It was impossible for him to know what she was thinking. Right?
Syaoran flashed Sakura a genuine smile. "You know Sakura…even if you gave me a day or two to ponder it, I still probably wouldn't be able to reply to you."
"Syaoran…you're not making any sense."
The teen warrior chuckled and cupped Sakura's cheek in a strong hand. "Hai… I guess I'm not, am I?"
Sakura giggled and shook her head, holding Syaoran's gentle hand to her face. "Nope."
"Let me attempt to explain then." He paused and subconsciously his thumb began to glide over her cheek. "Somehow Sakura…I… I sensed; I felt your wariness; the confusion in how I really feel about you."
"Syaoran…" Sakura near whispered in a hush.
"And the answer is hai; I love you to the point of infinite endlessness." He smiled roguishly and kissed her cheek. "No, that's still probably too small of a description." His eyes looked deeply into hers, almost losing himself in their jade depths. "I would do anything; stop anything to make sure that your happiness was always paramount."
"H-Honto?" Sakura inquired with elation blatantly expressed upon her visage.
Syaoran nodded and pressed his forehead to Sakura's. "Honto." He stated in confirmation. "Never doubt that."
"I won't." Sakura placed her slender hands on either side of Syaoran's face. "I have no doubt about you Syaoran. Only my love for you. That's the paramount. You are the most essential key to my happiness."
Syaoran smiled in legitimate sincerity. "Arigatou."
"For what?"
Pressing his lips to hers for an instant Syaoran breathed close to her ear. "For being you." He brought his eyes to hers and locked the tawny orbs on his beloved's face. "For making my life worth living again."
A crystalline tear of joy traced a salty trail down Sakura's cheek and Syaoran warmly brushed it away. They stood embracing for what seemed like eternity, contented just to be in the company of the one most cherished to them. Sakura couldn't believe that her dream was a reality. Hopelessly in love with the young man in front of her, she nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck and dared anything to try and shatter her fantasy. Unfortunately, from Sakura's bedside table, a small clock chimed precisely eight times and devastated the tranquil silence. Syaoran allowed himself a small chuckle. "Sakura…?"
"Nani?"
"As much as I'd love to observe you in that nightgown all day," Syaoran smiled impishly and gave her an appreciative glance from head to toe, causing the young sorceress to cock her head to the side in confusion. "I don't know how the rest of the Clan would respond to the mythical Card Mistress of the Clow in her nightwear."
A rosy blush tinted Sakura's porcelain-like cheeks and Syaoran could only look at her in adoration. She always had a recurring way of raising semblance to an angel of pure innocence and naivety, making her all the more irresistible to the customarily stoic magic wielding warrior. With a childlike smile, Sakura lightly took a jab at Syaoran's arm and left his embrace to tread softly to the magnificently carved bureau on the north wall. Syaoran made a move to follow her and she raised a slender finger in warning.
"Ah, ah, ah…you must be surprised, my Little Wolf." She waved in finger back in forth in a chidingly like gesture as if scolding a small child.
Syaoran mock pouted. "Mou…Sakura."
The sorceress in question raised an eyebrow and thought silently to herself in question. 'Perhaps it would be for the best if we didn't make our affection public just yet.'
"Hai, I agree."
The agile female Card Captor looked to her beloved partner in stupefaction, causing Syaoran to slightly chuckle. "I did it again, didn't I?" He smiled playfully and his eyes gleamed in a mischievous demeanor.
Sakura giggled. "Hai."
"I do agree, though. I haven't even met with the Elders yet; that alone will be hard enough."
"The Elders?" Sakura inquired with indisputable inquisitiveness rising into her voice.
"Hai." He gently kissed her cheek and let his fingers trail softly down her slender arms. "But that's for another conversation, ne Ying Fa?"
Sakura left him one last light kiss upon his lips before ushering him out of the door. He paused in the doorway, waiting—or was he watching?—Sakura couldn't exactly tell.
Syaoran gazed almost dreamily to Sakura, drowning in the emerald sea of her eyes, reveling in the intense comforting reverie being laid on him by her mere presence. 'You make it so very excruciatingly difficult to leave you, Cherry Blossom.'
"Arigatou." Sakura replied softly; Syaoran's cheeks taking on slightly pinkish hue at the reflection his love had heard him contemplate.
He blinked, still blushing. "You…you heard me?"
"Hai, every tender word, and…" She looked down for a moment; not wholly certain of the occurrence beginning to take form between that of her and her sorcerer. "…And I'm glad I can know what you think. It's comforting."
Syaoran heaved a sigh of relief. "That's a respite…"
"Why?"
A genuine smile adorning his handsome features, Syaoran pulled Sakura back into an embrace. He just could not resist the temptation emanating from his beloved sorceress. Lowering his head to her tiny ear he whispered gently, "Because every one of my reflections and feelings embody you."
Sighing in eminent bliss Sakura whispered gently, "Well then…" She nestled into her beloved warrior's toned chest and inhaled his enthralling scent of sandalwood and autumn. "I suppose you've taken the words from me."
"Honto?" Syaoran asked; playfully toying with a tendril of her caramel-colored hair.
"Hai." Sakura tapped him rebukingly on the nose and winked. "Syaoran I'm afraid if we stand here like this any longer we'll never make it to breakfast."
The warrior let a near seductive grin touch his lips. "I wouldn't mind; as long as I was with you."
"Flatterer." She gently ushered him out the door and let her fingers linger in his for a moment longer. "Until we meet again, Xiao Lang," She blushed with a giggle. "Aishiteru."
"Being away from you is eternal torture, Ying Fa, but I'll try." He flashed her with a smile anyone would feel blessed to see touch the sorcerer's lips and began to tread softly down the hallway, keeping a tantalizingly fiery eye on his angel the entire time before looking at her softly, knowing the full outcome of his subsequent action. 'Aishiteru.'
Sakura sighed softly from her beloved's tender admission and did not shut the door of her bedroom until she saw her warrior slowly start to descend the elaborate staircase. She sighed and pressed her hands to her heart. 'Aishiteru, Syaoran.'
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AN: *wipes forehead* Whew! That was the longest chapter I have written for this story! I really, really hope that you like this chapter because I worked really, really hard! Anyway don't forget to review! We're going to break the 200 marker, ne?! Oh and you may have noticed, I steal some of my references from the other fanfics I've written, so if some references look familiar, gomen ne! When I write more than one fic about the same people things start to look a bit common! ^_^
~*Little Sakura*~
Review, Review, Review!!! We're going to break the 200 marker, ne?!
