DAYBREAK

Chapter VIII

First Confrontation

          The cold wind stung her eyes yet she paid no mind. She grinned slightly at the feel of the gale on her cheeks and on her hair, pulling it behind her face as though it had wanted to assist her. Of course, she knew better than that but it was nonetheless a wonderful feeling. She closed her eyes for a moment, partly to relieve them from the pain of the wind's icy touch and partly to regain the feeling of her unearthly net, wavering about in search of its prey. After a few seconds, she opened them once more, confidently pointing towards a large grove of trees, which seemed to remain undisturbed by the furious storm.

                "I've never seen this place before," Tomoyo shouted from behind her friend, obviously fighting to be heard above the howls of the rushing wind. She irritably brushed her flowing hair aside, almost losing her grip on her friend's waist, and then quickly recovering before she had fallen off the flying mammal that was Cerberus.

                "It seems familiar. I think I know this place," Sakura shouted back.

                Tomoyo thought hard for a moment, trying to recall their previous roundabout trips and yet could not find anything that seemed vaguely familiar about the place they were quickly flying towards. "We've never passed it."

                Sakura nodded. "But I've seen it. It's the grove near my window. We must be close to the hospital building."

                Tomoyo smiled happily and then remembered that the worst had just begun. She held on tightly to her friend's small waist with her one useful hand, bracing herself for a rough landing.

                With one thump and slightly bruised butts, the two girls landed safely on what more or less had been a solid ground. Sakura jumped off, offering her uninjured hand to her friend who took it gladly with small smile of thanks.

                The two stood still for a moment, a strange contrast to their surroundings, which seemed unable to hold their place against the storm. Tomoyo noted that Sakura had indeed been right about the weather. She was most certain the wind had grown considerably colder than a while back. Finally, a large booming voice towered above the shrieking wind, bringing the two girls back from their solitary thoughts. Sakura looked to her side where Cerberus stood. His golden eyes were covered under great white lids yet his brows were drawn together in a disapproving scowl. He tilted his monstrous head towards the wind, as though he savored the chill, and then opened his mouth, his eyes still closed.

                "It's here. I can feel the Clow Card's aura…. and something else." With that, he opened his eyes and stared directly at Sakura's emerald orbs, which did not seem the least bit surprised at his final comment. He grinned inwardly at how strong his mistress had become. 

            The young teen merely nodded, shaking off her long auburn mane that stuck to her face. She held out a key-like pendant in her hand and studied it for a moment, hoping that it would resonate in that wonderful glow that had covered her guardian a while back. Seeing that nothing had changed, she averted her attention towards the grove. "Tomoyo, please stay here. There's no use putting your life in anymore danger."

                Tomoyo nodded though every bit of her wanted to argue that she had to go. Somehow, she felt she had to be part of whatever was about to happen yet for what reason, she did not know. Keeping her feelings within herself, she stepped back as though to say they might as well go before she changed her mind.

                Sakura slipped the pendant back inside her shirt and took a handful of Cerberus' golden hide as she climbed unto his back. She gave a thankful smile to her friend as Cerberus rose into the air, his powerful wings flapping just beside her bare legs.

                They rose higher into the sky, masterfully dodging loose branches and airborne leaves, until they found themselves directly above the circular grove of trees. Sakura looked down with certain awe, never knowing that the grove could look as strangely from above as it did at that moment. The trees were tightly compressed with one another so that their leaves made a completely solid canopy above. The leaves no more moved with the wind as a solid stone might and their edges seemed to form perfect curves at the right places, making a bizarre ring of green. It almost seemed to glow with a unique aura of its own, like a full moon amidst a cloudy sky. It was too perfect to have been anything but magical.

                They circled it for a while, not sure whether to go in or not. They could not see a single opening in the canopy through which they could enter and it seemed for a while that the trees themselves were enchanted in some way to keep them out. Cerberus growled beneath her, making Sakura even more anxious than before. She felt awkward hanging up in the air, and unnaturally vulnerable as she and her guardian circled the strange trees. She squinted her eyes as she struggled to see through the pelting rain any place that they might land. Feeling that her every effort was futile, she decided to try another approach. Closing her eyes, she concentrated her aura on the blanket of leaves that spread out thick beneath them. Realizing that there was indeed some magic woven into the trees, she guided herself through the weaves, hoping to find a single one loose enough to give them a chance to enter. After a few seconds, she found what she had been looking for. The outer rim felt almost impenetrable but there was a slight opening a few meters from the center. She thought it odd, especially since magic spread from the inside out and so, the core was the most powerful, but then decided to dismiss it and instead shouted out to her guardian her new discovery. "The weaving's loose just beside the center. Do you see that one branch sticking out? It's just a few meters from there. Do you think you can find it?"

                Cerberus growled a yes and dived swiftly down towards the opening Sakura had mentioned. Sighting the branch his mistress had pointed out, he used his senses to fish out just the right location. He made a sharp turn to the right, a few inches from his original course, and then opened his mouth as a great blaze spurt forth before him. Increasing the power of his flame, which hardly seemed to scorch the surrounding leaves, he drew his wings close to put force into the small opening. At last, they broke through and Cerberus opened his great wings once more before they touched the ground. They landed softly on a grassy field that seemed to stretch out infinitely. They saw no sign of the trees that had covered the area in a circular canopy from above and instead felt as though they were in an open meadow on a sunny afternoon.

                Sakura looked up, amazed to see a clear blue sky instead of thick green leaves. From Cerberus' gasp, she knew he was amazed as well. She gazed around a bit, unable to keep a smile from creeping up her face. Her surroundings were a striking contrast to where they had been just a few seconds back. The weather was clear and warm with a sweet cool breeze that lifted her hair from her back. She felt the soft grass beneath her bare feet and she fought back the urge to just lie down and sleep. Strange, she wanted nothing more than to sleep.

                She felt something nudge her side and she was vaguely aware of the large beast shouting beside her. Nothing seemed important enough to ruin her peaceful day. She smiled dreamily, slowly sinking to her knees, her eyes half hidden under heavy lids.

                Cerberus growled. He could feel the Sleep's powers slowly wrapping around him, making his every muscle heavy with weariness. He struggled to keep awake as he watched the young girl beside him close her eyes, a peaceful smile playing on her lips. "Sakura! Wake up! It's the Sleep!" He could hardly hear his own voice, his mind drowning in thoughts of dreams and exhaustion. Struggling to keep awake, he bit his lips, tasting the slight tang of blood on his tongue, yet it did not seem enough.  Finally, he muttered, "I'm sorry about this," and scratched Sakura's injured arm with his sharp claws.

                "Ahh!" Sakura's eyes slammed open, a few tears welling up above her cheeks. She looked to her side where her left arm seemed a pitiful plight. Not only was it gashed deeply above the elbow; it was now bleeding steadily below. She cringed as she moved it closer towards her body, using her right hand like a lift to move the other. She was about to shout at her guardian for adding to her assortment of aches and wounds when she realized that he was sound asleep. She felt the Sleep card all around her, pulling her down with promises of sleep and rest, yet she found the strength to resist. She silently thanked the relentless throbbing in her arm that kept her grounded to the waking world.

                She struggled to stand, her body still heavy from the effects of Sleep and her arm in total pain. As she gained her balance and cleared her mind, she placed a small wall at the back of her consciousness that would prevent her from completely falling asleep, or at least she hoped it would. She took the Sakura Book, which she had conveniently placed under Kero's breastplate so that she wouldn't have to worry about loosing her grip on it, and opened it. She took out the Sleep card, which was glowing just as the loop card was. She shuddered to think if any of the more powerful cards had been summoned as well and quickly closed the book as though it might prevent the very thought from happening. With one last hopeful look towards her slumbering guardian and an unsuccessful kick, she decided to seal the cards by herself, though how she couldn't guess.

                She walked alone, carrying the Sakura book in one hand, keeping the other close to her body. At some point, she tore a strip from the hem of her gown and slung it behind her neck, using it as a sling. She wondered aimlessly through the lush green scenery that seemed so quiet it felt almost dead. She saw nothing but the endless perfect sky and the infinite grasslands that stretched out to meet it in the horizon. The wind was sweet yet it felt almost cruel as she walked through an empty meadow alone. Somehow, she wished her Dreamwalker would find her just as he had found her so many times in her dreams. She wondered if he was real at all.

*********

                Tomoyo shivered as the cold wind battered against her skin. She snuggled next to a tree, which seemed ready to collapse and give way to the storm at any moment. Yet it was the only shelter she could find that hasn't fallen and moved closer to its bark in hopes of finding warmth. "No such luck." She stared longingly at the wall of thick trunks that separated her from her friend. She wished she had gone with her, if only to soothe her anxiety and fear for her friend's life.

                She placed her head on the tree's weathered trunk and hummed a silent tune that seemed to be carried by the wind into the storm itself. She listened for a while, hoping to hear Sakura call her name in her happy tune, just as she used to do when they were young. She smiled longingly, wishing she could go back to when things were much simpler.

                And then it struck.

                She balled up in pain, hands clutching at her chest for any sort of relief. She cried out yet she could hardly hear her own scream, drowned out by the howling wind that seemed only to get louder as her shouts did. She felt unshed tears form below her eyes, threatening to flow at any moment. She gave out a gasp as she struggled for air, her chest heaving strenuously as though she were under water and could not find the surface.

                She cried as she laid her head on the mud, the pain still growing inside her. It felt as though knives have found their way inside her, slicing her from within. Her head throbbed like a drum before the war and she realized that she could not even hear the wind. Screams rang through her ears, meaningless and without words yet filled with pain and rage. She struggled to cover her ears but she could not block out the sound, not when it came from inside her, resonating like a bell.

                Tomoyo shut her eyes, praying with all her might that the pain would subside. It was worse than anything she had ever felt before, like a flame had enkindled within, scorching her body as well as her soul, engulfing her within the blaze. She whimpered as she lay on the ground, giving in to the desperation that she had fought off before. "Stop it! Please! It hurts!" She let out a scream as a sharp pang struck her chest. "God! Help me! It's too painful!" She sobbed like a child lost on her own. She felt utterly defeated as she lay helpless on the soft ground.

                     An ethereal screech brought her back to her senses, heightening the pain that had slowly subsided. She struggled to look up, afraid that she had guessed right what had made the awful sound. She cursed under her breath, realizing her assumptions were right after all. The beast had returned.

*********

            It felt as though she had been walking for hours, her legs straining to keep up with her rigorous pace. She had seen nothing for miles but grass and more grass, dancing softly with the warm breeze that tickled her skin. Somehow, she began to wish for the cold rain and unforgiving wind outside this glass bowl of empty perfection, at least she wouldn't be so alone. Finally, she gave into her exhaustion and stopped her futile trek. She sat down on the soft grass, stretching her legs beneath her.

                She began to shout, releasing her frustrations into the wind and hoping beyond hope to receive some sort of sign that she hasn't really gone mad. "This isn't working! I'm tired and I'm sick of all this grass! Come out and let's get it done with!" She thought of no one in particular to address it to yet she felt better as the breeze carried her unheeded challenge into the sky. She'd have to wait for a reply.

                You don't have to shout little girl. I thought you'd appreciate the perfect weather. You were so cold outside.

                Sakura looked up, her eyes darting here and there in search of the voice's source. It had seemed to come from within her mind yet she knew it was not her imagination. The voice had a strange uniqueness to it, like a calling card by which it could identify itself. She couldn't articulate the feeling but in someway, it felt almost impossible and yet all too real. She scanned the area with large emerald eyes, a strange feeling of panic and anticipation rising from within her. Whatever it was, it wasn't on her side. She decided to fish it out. "Who are you?" She shouted once more, hoping the voice would answer back. After a few moments of undisturbed silence, she resolved to call out once more. "Who are you and more importantly, where are you? Show yourself!" She stood up, holding the book closer for what it's worth. Of course, she knew she couldn't use the Cards without the staff but they did give her a feeling of security. She was thankful for that.

                What good is a name? You won't be alive long enough to call me by it.

                Sakura smiled smugly. "How sure are you about that?" she retorted, her voice tinted with sardonic laughter. She didn't know what she could do next if this being did appear but it was better to have this over with and done. She had a much better chance at sealing the Cards now than she had walking aimlessly before. She just wished she could prove her bluff.

                You're afraid, little girl. I can see it in your head; hear it in your heart. It sounded almost exhilarated as the voice rang through her mind. She felt the malice within it, flowing through her like an icy river. It was pure malice, a want for death without anger or rage. It was empty and hollow, like a being solely content on death and destruction, cruelty it's only face. She felt cold all of a sudden though her surroundings had not changed. The warm breeze could not melt the frozen river she felt inside her.

                Cold, little girl? Or are you just afraid to die? And with that, the blue sky turned dark and heavy, black clouds quickly cluttering the once clear space. The breeze grew cold, even colder than what she had felt outside in the storm, and it cut her skin like a knife through butter.

She closed her eyes, the wind threatening to blind her if she didn't. It took all her strength to remain standing against the heavy assault of the wind, her knees buckling under her, ready to collapse at any moment.

*********

                Tomoyo stumbled unto the ground, her foot entangled on vines and roots that have been unearthed by the raging storm. She brought herself up, fighting the pain that had once again ensued within her and the urge to look back at her invisible assailant. She felt a swift wind come against her cheek, leaving a bloody scratch upon its wake. She closed her eyes as she ran as far as her feet could carry her; to whatever safety she could hope to find in her desolate surroundings. Blocking out the shrilling screech that seemed to have come from beside her, she headed towards the thick wall of trees, panting as she gasped for air. She stifled a scream as she fell once more to the muddy ground, her right ankle in unbearable pain as the being took hold of it. She watched in muted horror as her leg slowly rose into the air, threatening to lift her off the ground. Her hands struggled to find something to grip, anything that would aid in her escape. She caught hold of a root and pulled with her able arm, feeling as though she were about to be ripped in two. Yet it gave her no help as she realized she was getting closer to whatever had hold of her. With one last attempt, she took the root in both her hands. She screamed in pain as she pulled with her broken arm but the thing's grip only grew tighter, lifting her carelessly off the ground.

                She refused to let go even as she found herself hanging upside down in midair, still stubbornly clinging unto the root. "Damn it! Let me go!" She kicked at the being with her other foot, unsure whether she had hit it or not. Her fingers dragged in the mud as she found herself rising higher and higher. If she didn't get away, she knew she'd be sprawling on the ground like the last time; only there was no assurance that she'd still survive. She grabbed a stone as her hands lifted inches from the ground. With a fierce determination, she threw the stone as close to her ankle as possible. She followed it with another kick, and then another, wiggling around like a fish in the fisherman's hand.

Next thing she knew, she was on the ground, her entire weight leaning on her broken arm. She heard something crack beneath her but she fought off the nausea that had risen up her throat. She lifted herself up, wincing as she stole a glance at her misshapen arm. She saw a white fragment peak out from a gaping wound. Her arm had swollen to twice its normal size and by the blue-green tint that had begun to spread beneath the wound she knew it was infected. She let out a groan as she scrambled unto her feet. She ran towards the wall of hard trunks and branches, unsure why she headed there in the first place.

The ringing in her ears had escalated into a high-pitched wail. She collapsed unto a hard surface, digging her fingers through the tough exterior of the woody barrier to help keep her upright. She held a desperate sob as she searched for an opening through which she could squeeze her thin frame. She could hear her heart pound faster as she felt her assailant draw near, filling her with a wave of urgency she could not shake, even as she struggled to enter a small gap beneath intertwining branches.

She heard the final screech, one so loud that she found herself staring dumbly at a misty figure rushing towards her with what seemed like blades instead of hands, awaiting the inevitable blow she might never awake from. Then all at once, she felt herself melt into the wall, separating her from the monstrous being that was slashing furiously at the place she had been a few seconds back. Forgetting the pain burning through her, she watched in profound disbelief as the being shimmered then dissipated into the air. Tomoyo stood in silence, shock overwhelming the sense of relief from her escape. She gave out a sigh taking a few seconds to realize she was staring into familiar emerald eyes that reflected the same disbelief and surprise she felt. It was all she could do to stop herself from flinging her arms unto her friend.

"To-mo-yo?" Sakura stared at her with wide teary eyes, mouth agape in pure forthright astonishment at what she saw- a familiar dark head melting through the very scenery, followed by the rest of the body, all in a matter of seconds. She had hardly the time to blink before this strange apparition turned and stared at her with distinct azure eyes. She reached out then stopped in slight hesitation, "I could be dreaming again, right?"

Tomoyo shook her head, uncertainty prominent in her navy eyes. "I don't think so, or we'd be dreaming the same thing."

Her friend replied with a smile. Tomoyo fell to her knees, the numbness shock had brought her was quickly fading. Sakura caught her before she landed and slowly settled her unto the grassy floor.

What's she doing here? I have not permitted her within my realm! Witch! What have you done?

Sakura turned around, trying desperately to follow the voice that seemed to disperse then resound all around her, leaving an annoying feeling of hollowness in her head. She strained her ears as well as her senses but all she could find was that small ringing that followed the voice and a slight tinge of something she'd never felt before-the being was just as surprised as she was at Tomoyo's sudden appearance, and completely aggravated by it as well.

"I thought you were so powerful but you can't even keep teenagers out of your precious realm. And to think Tomoyo doesn't even have magical powers to begin with! You should be ashamed of yourself!"

Tomoyo looked at her despite the pain in a what-the-hell-are-you-doing manner. Sakura tapped her head as though her friend would understand. Seeing the quizzical look on the fallen teen's eyes, she realized she did not. Sakura hissed a never mind.

You are as insolent and as ignorant as he said you would be.

"He?"

It doesn't matter. This was just a game. I wanted to see for myself the power of the great Card Mistress before everything began but it seems he had given you far too much credit. I shouldn't have bothered if I had known you would be like this. There's nothing to worry about.

"What are you talking about? How dare you call this just a game? You've hurt so many people including my best friend and you call it entertainment! I swear, as soon as I find you I'll kill you! And for the last time, who's he?"

Feisty little brat! Big words for someone as small as you. But I am weary of your shouting and your powers are not yet worthy to face mine. I don't fight when I've lost interest!

 The dark clouds that hovered in the horizon quickly dispersed and all at once, the icy winds ceased their tumultuous assault. The once black sky overhead that seemed ready to release a deadly storm had turned a light and sunny blue. Everything was as it was, as though no impending storm had threatened to blow them away just a while back. The grass danced with the breeze once more.

Sakura fought back the urge to stomp her feet. The nerve! "You're just afraid! If I were you I wouldn't miss this chance! After all, this might be the only time you'd be able to defeat me, when I'm weak and injured!"

Hmp! You talk too much for someone as weak and injured as yourself. The loop is by your feet. I tire of this and most especially of you. Seal the damn card and get it over with!

"Asshole! I'm not stupid enough to believe you!" She felt Tomoyo tug at the hem of her tattered hospital gown. "What?"

"You might want to consider looking at this." She pointed down with her eyes.

Tomoyo's legs seemed endless as she slowly stretched them out. She looked at her back where she found her feet pointing in a most peculiar direction- upwards. It seemed almost grotesque as she willed her feet to move and they did, only behind her whereas they would normally be in the front. She stared at them in awe. "Sakura, I don't think this is normal," Tomoyo said besides the throbbing in her head. The pain had slowly resided and all that remained was the aftershock, a distinctly bothersome migraine.

Sakura hesitantly shook her head in a no. "I don't think so." She crinkled her nose in obvious distaste at the feet's awkward position. "Stop moving it. It's gross!"

What are you waiting for Card Mistress? Isn't it your duty to reseal the cards? Are you afraid? Or perhaps you can't. Yes, I hear it there in your heart. 'I can't. I can't. I can't summon the staff!' You're pathetic!

                "Shut up!" She gritted her teeth against the mocking voice. "Key of the Star, with powers burning bright reveal the staff, and shine your light. Release!"

Nothing.

You needn't bother. I already know. But what will you do now, little Card Mistress? No staff, no power. Maybe I should kill you right now to end your disgraceful existence.

"It doesn't matter!" Sakura hid the key under her light dress. "I am the Card Mistress, staff or no staff!" Fierce determination glowed in her eyes as she calmly stepped on the glowing line that was the Loop. She watched in mild horror as her feet looped behind her. Tomoyo stared at her flabbergasted, unsure of what her friend was planning to do.

"Tomoyo, I know it's painful but can you please stand. Stay as far as you possibly can. I'm not sure what will happen."

Tomoyo nodded in silence, pushing herself upwards then moving to the side. She made a small sigh of relief as she watched her feet return to their normal length and position yet her face grew heavy in worry for her friend. "What are you planning to do?"

Sakura smiled as though to reassure her but she made no reply to Tomoyo's question. She closed her eyes and focused everything unto her aura. She began to build. Opening all her senses, she reached out to all the magic that surrounded her. She could feel them sliding through her fingers like silk, soft and smooth yet strong and sturdy. The tapestry had begun to form as she slid her threads into all their intended places just as she had done with her net. She had lost track of time or feeling as she stayed within her mind, weaving everything into place in an intricate design filled with all the powers she could summon. At last, the weave was complete and she smiled at how well she had made it though unsure if it would indeed serve its purpose. Only one way to find out.

With a silent command, the weave began to cover her body from the head, then to the hands to the very tip of her toes. She used her aura to secure everything then began her spell. "Card released from eternal bond, return to your true form. Obey thy contract and thy master! I confine you, Loop!" Her aura glowed as it had never before. Perhaps her spell did work. She willed her tapestry to grow and she watched in pride as it expanded on all sides around her. As she caught hold of the Loop's essence, she wrapped the tight weave around it until it had no chance of escape. With a surge of power, she tightened her hold and at last, the Loop was resealed. Sakura beamed with delight as she watched vapors pass through the holes in her weave then return into the card she held. But she wasn't finished yet.

Her weave began to expand all around her, floating through the breeze and sliding through the grass. She searched for another entity as her weave continued to grow, touching everything around her. She waited patiently, like a spider waits on its web for the fly to come, then jerked when she felt a tug. It had not been what she was searching for but it seemed powerful and almost familiar. She looked around but found nothing except her friend who looked at her skeptically. Then it was gone. Could I have touched him with my weave? I've never felt anything like it before. It wasn't a card. She tried to find it once more but the aura no longer surfaced and she found herself staring out into the open as though she had lost her mind. Deciding to resume her search, she waited once more. A few seconds passed until she found her original target, floating happily above the slumbering Cerberus. Before the Card could notice, she caught it within her weave. She tightened her hold as the card began to struggle, then to wiggle, and then finally floated in defeat. She cast her spell once more. "Card released from eternal bond, return to your true form. Obey thy contract and thy master! I confine you, Sleep!"  The weave tightened then expanded as bluish vapors returned to the Sleep card. With a sigh of relief, Sakura collapsed to her feet, hands tightly clutched at her two newly resealed conquests. She had never felt so tired in all her life.

Their surroundings began to waver like a mirage. Slowly, patches of green and brown peeked out from the seemingly infinite picture of perfect sky and grass. The horizon grew bleary then finally dissolved into green leaves and brown trunks. All around them, the scenery had changed.

Tomoyo moved beside her, offering her friend a you-were-wonderful smile with a slight twinkle of mischief that said I-wish-I-could-have-taped-it. Sakura smiled back, obviously pleased with her work though her entire body felt like lead.

You did well for an insolent brat. I give you that. Thank you for making my stay a little worthwhile. By the way, how have you been sleeping lately?

Sakura stood up as quickly as she could but she could no longer support her own weight. "Wait!" She held her breath as she waited for a reply but after a few minutes, nothing came and she slumped back in exhaustion. She held back a yawn as she struggled to keep awake yet her eyes slowly closed of their own accord. Weariness grew heavy on her limbs and she found she could not even will herself to move. She felt hair fall unto her cheeks.

Tomoyo placed her friend's head upon her lap. She looked down at Sakura's pale face. She had grown even more haggard than before. "Sakura? Can you hear me?"

Sakura mumbled a few inaudible words and Tomoyo smiled as her friend struggled to keep one eye open, then another. She almost looked silly with her half closed lids and dreamy expression if she weren't so thin and pale. She decided to let her friend rest.

"Tomoyo?" Sakura's voice was hardly a peep as she fought back another yawn.

Tomoyo soothingly stoked the young girl's auburn locks. "Hmm?"

"I've realized something."

"What is it?"

"You slapped me-yawn-twice to-yawn-day."

"Really?"

Sakura nodded then turned to her side with a small look of hurt on her face. "You're getting good at it."

Tomoyo merely laughed.