Thanks to everyone who reviewed (I love you ^-^)! And thanks to Akal Saris and Vanessa, my editors. Again, I do not own Cardcaptors, or Cardcaptor Sakura. And always remember: Reviews are good. Reviews are your friends. Reviews are good. Reviews are your friends. Reviews are…… well you get the idea. Actually, I'm a little skeptical about this chapter, but I hope you like it. And I'm very sorry if I misspell any names. I've seen too many ways to spell the same names to be sure which is right.
Warning: this is just for people who may be anti-this sort of thing, this is the only angst chapter and probably one of the only chapter's that makes this PG-13; along with some mild stuff that'll come later.
Demon's Wings
The Burning
"Xiao-lang!" Fuanren smiled, adjusting his shirt, "You're so kawaii!" Syaoran shrugged her off. "Now, you be nice. Flirt plenty ok?" His face became a bright red, "Oh you know you want to. Come on! Don't deny it."
Syaoran choked, "That-what-gah-I…" He blushed fifteen shades of red. 'Jeez, with the way they're acting you'd think I was going on a… a…' he blushed even more just thinking about it, 'a.. date.'
Shiefua giggled, coming up behind him and wrapping her arms around her little brother's shoulders, "You should tell her y'know…"
"I-I don't know what you're talking about!" Syaoran sputtered. His sisters laughed.
"We'd go to make sure you get plenty of solo time with your Ying Fa," Futeie sighed, "But we have to finish our summer homework assignments." She smiled wickedly, "But tomorrow when we take them to the shopping mall. And you're coming along, Xiao!" Syaoran got a little nervous… what were his sister's planning?
Fueimei knelt down, looking into her brother's eyes. She fixed his hair, running her fingers though it several times. He frowned and shook his head, making her smile, as his hair swept across his auburn eyes, "You're kawaii, Xiao, but way too serious. You should lighten up a bit." She winked, "Keep the mysterious side though, I bet girls find it attractive. Along with your eyes."
Shiefua shook her head, "It's his hair, sister." She ruffled the boy's already messy brown locks.
Syaoran turned away, "You four are insane." Fuanren and Futeie smirked, grabbing him just before he walked out the door, "Will you guys let me go? I bet everyone's waiting…" They were going to tour Hong Kong and he didn't want to keep anyone waiting.
"Doubtful. Tomoyo-chan was getting film, Sakura and Eriol were figuring out what to do with Kero and Spinel and Touya was walking to mother." Shiefua smiled. She looked at her sisters and laughed. "Tickle attack!" The group tackled their little brother, tickling him to death. They loved to hear him laugh and since he hardly ever did…
"Dear… God… STOP!" He screamed, laughing uncontrollably. "I-can't… breathe!"
"Did you know tickling was used as a form of torture?" Shiefua said, pretending to ignore her brother's protests.
"Really?" Fuanren smiled.
"Yeah. I read it somewhere…"
"We torturing you, Xiao?" Fuanren poked his sides. He couldn't answer, but his laughter spoke for him. Tears began to form in his eyes.
"I think he's turning blue…" Futeie stopped. The rest followed suit, letting Syaoran calm down, wipe his eyes, and sit up. They gave their little brother the gentlest of smiles, the ones that made Syaoran fill with warmth. A smile was left on his face from the tickle attack…
"See? You should have that smile on more often." Shiefua kept smiling.
"We love you very much. You know that right?" Fueimei tapped his nose.
"You wouldn't guess considering you just tried to kill me." Syaoran clutched his sides, praying that the comment wouldn't earn him another round of torture. His sister's laughed.
"We love you very much… and we only want the best for you." Shiefua hugged him again, this time not letting go.
"Which is why you have to make Sakura our sister-in-law." Fuanren smirked.
"Wha-?!" He choked. Not this again!
Futeie saw the blush on his face, "You shouldn't be so obvious. You blush every time someone says her name."
"I still don't know what you're talking about." He scowled.
The girls exchanged looks and smiled evilly, "Sakura! Sakura! Sakura! Sakura!" They chanted. Making their little brother's cheeks turn into red stoplights. They broke down laughing. Then calmed down and wrapped their arms around him, smiling.
"You just tell her sometime soon ok?"
Syaoran froze, then smiled. They were insane, but he couldn't help but love them. "Someday…" He whispered, "Someday I'll tell her."
*********
"Well, Bird Street hasn't changed." Sakura smiled at Syaoran. She could feel Spinel and Kero fidgeting in her bag. The two were inside to keep each other company… But she, frankly, didn't want to know what was going on in there. She smiled, they were probably teasing each other, again.
Syaoran blushed slightly and glanced around the streets. He could hear Meiling jabbering about the street in the background. The feeling here hadn't changed… it never would. He looked at Sakura, who was staring at a pair of orange colored birds. The birds… what was it about them… Syaoran narrowed his eyes… now he remembered…
"Sakura is so kawaii." Tomoyo smiled. Touya was busily glaring at Syaoran and didn't overhear the conversation that followed.
"Meiling, has Syaoran been doing well lately?" Eriol asked. The two girls looked at him in surprise, "He just seems… a little off. He's a little paler, looks tired, and is much thinner than the last time I saw him." He frowned, "Not to mention my kawaii little descendant is wearing a long sleeved shirt when it's ninety degrees outside."
Meiling cocked her head, "I didn't really notice, but yeah you're right."
"Is he ill?" Tomoyo wondered. "Somehow, I don't believe he is sick."
"I don't think so… but…" Meiling thought hard. The sun was beating down on their heads and she could have sworn she saw the waves of heat rise above her waist. "He started looking tired a few days before you came. He'd zone out every once in a while. If that isn't out of character for him, I dunno what is. Well, unless Sakura is around." She smiled, then smacked her head, "I wonder why we didn't notice?"
"You know Syaoran." Tomoyo watched Sakura and Syaoran talking to each other. "He tries to hide everything that goes on in his mind. He has been getting better at it, too. He doesn't blush as much as he did before." She sighed, then added under her breath, "I wish he would… It'd make this video so much more kawaii."
Burning sun… ruby-red blood…hateful blaze… golden orb…
"Golden orb?" Eriol questioned himself, "I don't remember it saying-" He stopped, looking at Tomoyo and Meiling. They stared at him oddly.
"What are you talking about, Eriol-kun?" Tomoyo asked, a little concerned by the troubled look in that sapphire gaze.
He smiled, "It's nothing. Never mind me."
Meiling glared, crossing her arms, "Liar." Eriol gave her an innocent look. Meiling sighed, he wasn't talking… She looked up at the two. Cocking her head slightly, she smiled, wondering how they would react, "Did anyone ever tell you two you'd make a cute couple?"
Tomoyo and Eriol gasped silently. Exchanged looks they said simultaneously, "No." Neither was going to deny that the other was cute… but that was all. They'd keep their mouth shut. Meiling laughed, finally seeing everything in their faces.
*********
Kaho smiled, drumming her fingers on the arm of the chair. She, Yukito, and Nakuru were feeling a little left out. Not to mention she and Yukito had finished a few lat minute things they had to do at school (she was grateful they finished early) and Nakuru didn't want to bed left behind… again. She had called Yelan earlier in the day. The head of the Li clan wouldn't tell the others. The three hoped it would be a surprise. She glanced at Nakuru who was finally asleep. Kaho could thing of someone (and a something) that wouldn't be thrilled to see the usually hyper guardian. Yukito was reading a book and munching on some of the airplane peanuts. The two women gave him theirs, surprised that he could eat so much of even the flight food.
"Flight 983 is now approaching Hong Kong. Please fasten your seatbelts when the captain turns the seatbelt sign on. It is currently 11:22 am in Hong Kong and 85 degrees out."
Kaho nudged Nakuru, "Your seatbelt." She said.
Nakuru groaned, moving slightly, "Yes mother." She said, buckling. Her eyes suddenly opened, "Hong Kong already? YAY!" She startled Yukito and caused everyone on the plane to stare at her.
Yukito smiled, "You're so full of energy."
"Toya-kun!" she giggled. "Suppi! Oh, I've got just the chocolate for him…" She smiled. Kaho laughed quietly… this was going to be a very interesting day.
Burning sun… ruby-red blood…hateful blaze… golden orb…
"What on earth?" she gasped. Nakuru and Yukito stared at her.
"Is something wrong Mitzumi-san?" They questioned.
Kaho frowned, "Maybe." She sighed, shaking her head, "My mind is probably playing tricks on me. I heard that can happen with the change of air pressure." She looked out the window and watched the sparkling waves of Hong Kong's harbors. But for some reason… she couldn't bring herself to believe the words that left her mouth.
*********
"Food…" Kero popped his head out of the bag, "Sakura… I want food…"
"That's all you ever want." Spinel sighed from inside her bag.
"Excuse me?" Kero growled.
"So um… Anyone else hungry?" Sakura asked, quickly. Shoving Spinel's and Kero's head's in her bag before any stranger noticed them.
"A little," Meiling and Tomoyo admitted. Touya and Syaoran were busily glaring at each other, but managed to stop for a second to glance at everyone. Eriol smirked, sending shivers up the boys' spines.
"I know a place we can go to." Meiling said, "I heard Li-sama talking about it today. She was on the phone with someone."
"Lead the way!" Sakura said cheerily.
"It's not far. I went there once myself. They've got lots of good food and it's not some fancy place. And guess what they serve? You'll never-"
Burning sun… ruby-red blood…hateful blaze… golden orb…
"Can you believe it? That stuff's the greatest! And you've got to try the…"
'I'm hearing it more often now… That can't be good.' Eriol looked around, Meiling's talk was lost to him. He wondered if anyone else heard it. Surprisingly, he saw Syaoran flinch. The auburn-eyed boy unconsciously grabbed his forearm, turning a little pale. He dropped to the back of the group, unnoticed by everyone but Eriol.
Eriol adjusted his glasses and fell back beside his 'kawaii little descendant.' Syaoran's hand tightened around his arm, "What's the matter, Syaoran?" He asked, watching Syaoran's surprised expression.
"Nothing's the matter." He turned away.
Eriol frowned and put a hand on his shoulder, "Look at me and say that." Syaoran looked at him, opening his mouth to speak… but no words came out. He closed his mouth and sighed. "I knew it. Now tell me what it is."
Syaoran side-stepped a puddle in the street, 'Someone must have spilled water… yeah… there's the bottle… Stop putting it of, Xiao-lang. It's about time you said something…' "I… I…" He didn't know where to start.
"Here we are!" Meiling pointed to a large decorative building.
"A little later maybe?" Eriol asked quietly. Syaoran shrugged.
Once inside, the group looked around for a table. A waiter glanced at them curiously the walked over, "By any chance," He asked, Syaoran and Meiling, "Are you the Li's?"
"Yes." Syaoran nodded, "Why do you ask?"
"Well, then we have a table for you. Some of your party is already here."
"Huh?" Meiling cocked her head, confused. "What are you talking about?"
"This way please." The waiter hadn't heard her. They all exchanged looks, but followed him. He took them to a reserved part of the restaurant. Inside was Yelan and…
"Yukito-san, Nakuru-san, Mitzuki-san!" Sakura laughed. "We thought you weren't coming!" Touya's face lit up seeing Yukito, but had a look of fear when seeing the smiling Nakuru. He wasn't sure which was worse, her, or one of Syaoran's sisters… it was going to be a living nightmare when they got back to that house.
"I'm never coming to Hong Kong again." He grumbled.
"Ohayo." They all said.
Kaho and Yukito looked at Syaoran and Meiling, "My my, haven't you two grown?" Kaho smiled. Syaoran relaxed a little. He couldn't get out of the habit of going tense around Kaho or Yukito. One used to make him suspicious the other used to make him feeling all weird on the inside. He had nothing to fear or be embarrassed about around those two. Nakuru he knew was a different story. She was a nice girl, but had a little too much energy. He smiled faintly, 'At least she makes Touya happy. She and my sister's will have a lot to talk about.' He thought, catching Touya's eyes. The older boys seemed to read his mind and scowled.
"Can I come out now?" Kero whimpered.
"Please let him out… his whining is hurting my ears." Spinel's voice could be heard. Sakura jerked as her bag suddenly went flying off her shoulder.
"What was that?!"
"Nothing… baka."
"WHAT?!"
"Stop it!" Sakura picked up her bag dragging the two out of the bag. "I swear if everyone here didn't already know you existed…" She let her voice trail into a sigh.
Kero jumped out of the bag, "Ohayo!" He called out to everyone. Sakura sighed, grateful their table was in a secluded area.
"Baka…" Spinel whispered floating out of her bag, "Arigato, Kinomoto-chan for letting me ride in there."
"Anytime, Spinel-san." Sakura smiled. 'He's so polite.'
"Suppi-chan…" Nakuru droned. Spinel froze then stared at Nakuru with a look of disbelief.
"What is it doing here?" He gasped.
"What? Didn't you miss me Suppi?" Nakuru smiled, then frowned, "And who are you calling it?!"
Eriol sighed, glancing at Yukito. He wondered why (with each pair of guardians) was one energetic and hyper while the other was calm and serene. He chose not the think about it, glancing at Syaoran and Yelan, he had more important things to think about now.
Once everyone had taken their seats and ordered (Spinel and Kero had to pretend to be stuffed animals when ever the waiter came… much to Meiling, Nakuru, and Syaoran's amusement) the conversation flowed. Yelan, Kaho, Yukito, Touya, and Nakuru sat together and Meiling, Eriol, Sakura, Tomoyo, and Syaoran sat on the other part of the table. Spinel and Kero floated wherever they pleased.
"So…" Eriol whispered, while everyone was preoccupied.
Syaoran looked away, "Forget it… just never mind."
Eriol groaned, "Not this again."
"Not what again?" The girls looked towards them. Thankfully the adults were locked in their own conversation.
"Nothing. He's just going crazy." Syaoran sighed.
Burning sun… ruby-red blood…hateful blaze… golden orb…screams of innocent…
Eriol looked towards Yelan. He saw her and Kaho suddenly go quiet. They glanced at him and he nodded slightly. He heard it too it was becoming more frequent now. This was getting nerve wreaking. He heard Syaoran faintly gasp as Yelan and Kaho talked quietly between themselves. His little descendent became pale again and clutched his arm.
"Syaoran…" Sakura stared at him from across the table. She was worried now, it showed both in her eyes and on her face. Tomoyo and Meiling frowned.
"What's wrong with your arm?"
"Nothing."
Eriol grabbed Syaoran arm and yanked up his sleeve wondering what was bothering the little liar. Three short gashes were on his arm… almost like tally marks. Each looked a little older than the last, but they were wounds nonetheless. "What is this?" Eriol stared at the auburn-eyed boy.
"I-I don't know." He pulled his arm back, pulling the sleeve back down.
"When did you get those?" Meiling asked.
"It was… I… I'm not sure. It has to do with these dreams I've been having lately."
"Do these dreams have to do with rain and fire?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah…"
"I've been having dreams like that too." She frowned.
Tomoyo stared at Eriol, "Why do I get the feeling you know something?"
"Because I might." He glanced at Yelan, who apparently was telling the guardians and Touya about that strange voice. "Yelan and I… and now I assume Kaho, Have been hearing this strange voice. Lately it's been speaking more often and is getting a bit more… mysterious. First it started saying something about a burning sun, ruby-red blood, hateful blaze, then it started adding golden orb and this last time it also said… screams of innocent."
"I heard screams in my dream." Sakura tried. Syaoran nodded. Meiling and Tomoyo looked at each other, each wishing they had magic.
"So… what was your dream? I didn't get hurt." Sakura glanced at his arm.
Syaoran flinched, "Well, I'm running through this black void when fire erupts all around me, I can't escape and hear people screaming. Then rain comes down and I escape."
"Sounds like mine." Sakura whispered and let him go on.
"But then I keep running because the screams sound familiar and I'm trying to find out who they are." He sighed, "I know those voices… Anyway, this orange colored bird then flies around me and suddenly bursts into flames. Rain comes down again and it turns into a small black bird. It flies around me and turns into a dragon; it has scaly wings and everything." He frowned a little, "But… it's not frightening or anything… it feels like… it's on my side. Well, the screams grow louder and the dragon begins to lead me to them. That's when I hear this voice…" He froze up. That voice had burned his mind…
"What did it say?" Meiling asked softly. Though he was obviously uncomfortable… his eyes only reflected her face and not what he was thinking.
"It says… flesh and blood… flesh and blood. The fourth day will be the last and first day…" He grew pale again. "Every time I had that dream, a cut appeared…" He glanced at his arm. "Today would have been the fourth day I had that dream, but lately… the cuts seem to be burning… I'm guessing that it happens around the same time you hear that voice." He flinched.
Burning sun… ruby-red blood…hateful blaze… golden orb…screams of innocent…
Sakura gasped… "I heard it that time!"
"We all did." Yukito surprised them.
"It's the same voice from my dreams…" Sakura bit her lip. Syaoran nodded in agreement, squeezing his arm.
"Suddenly… I'm not feeling to good." Meiling sighed. Then smirked, "Looks like we have another adventure on our hands, huh?"
"So it does." Tomoyo picked up her camera, "But we'll make it though, we always do."
Burning sun… ruby-red blood…hateful blaze… golden orb…screams of innocent… the fourth day
"No…" Syaoran trembled. The cuts were burning into his skin. Maybe his sister's would have an idea of what to do. With all the time Shiefua spent pouring over books, she'd have to know something.
Sakura cocked her head, "Syaoran, you all right?" He simply nodded. Eriol raised an eyebrow.
Burning sun… ruby-red blood…hateful blaze… golden orb…screams of innocent… the fourth day… flesh and blood… burn… burn…
"Fourth… day?" Eriol watched his friend's face become an ash-white color.
Syaoran let out a tiny wince, his arm began to flood with pain. "Syaoran?" Yelan walked over and made him roll up his sleeve. He complied. Sakura nearly fainted. A fourth bloody gash was slowly appearing on his arm. Blood flowed steadily from the wound. Eriol was wide-eyed… it looked like an invisible knife was being drawn across the boy's arm. Yelan glanced around the group. "We had better leave."
*********
Syaoran felt like crying. He wasn't going to, he was trying too hard not to let the tears form in his eyes. But the pain in his forearm was intense. His white-knuckled hand grasped the fire-wounds , trying to stop the blood from seeping through his fingers and onto the pavement..
Golden orb…screams of innocent… flesh and blood… the last day… the beginning of the demise…. flesh and blood… burn…
Every minute that terrifying voice would ring through their heads. Each time it changed a little and each time it caused him more pain. Kaho and Yelan walked on either side of him. Turning the key to the house, Yelan frowned.
"Something is amiss here…" She whispered, scanning the halls with her dark eyes. "Xiao-lang, go clean your arm."
Sakura and Eriol exchanged looks as their guardians suddenly transformed. Tomoyo focused on them with her camera and Meiling watched Syaoran go down the hall, but some how felt that she shouldn't follow. Though both she and Tomoyo didn't have any magic, the both felt something was off. The air smelled different too… but she couldn't figure out what it was… Touya put a protective arm around his little sister.
Eriol looked outside, "We'll be right back… I think there's something outside, but it's so faint…" Ruby Moon and Spinel Sun followed their master outside, wary of what they may find.
Syaoran sighed, sterilizing the cuts. 'Thank God they finally stopped burning.' Stepping out of the bathroom, he glanced down the hall. Everyone was still there. He frowned, wondering why his sisters hadn't stampeded down the stairs when they arrived. "They probably didn't hear us come in. I'd better tell them what's going on." He continued to walk down the hall and up a flight of stairs, knowing that the second he opened the door into library, he'd be bombarded. He didn't know why they liked the library so much… Shiefua because she loved to read, the other three… who knew? "Shiefua, Fuanren, Futeie, Fueimei!" He called. He opened the window wondering why it was so stifling hot.
Golden orb… flesh and blood… fourth… demise of the four… flesh and blood…
Syaoran felt his limbs grow cold with realization., despite the warmth of the house. With that realization, the screams began. Screams from his dreams that were now in his reality, "Shiefua! Fuanren! Futeie! Fueimei!" He ran towards the library and flung open the door. A wave of heat smashed into him.
"NO! Get away!" A blast of orange fire narrowly missed his head. "Shit!" She dropped to the dround, dodging flying daggers. "Xiao! Get out!" Syaoran froze in horror. Three of his sisters… dead and dying, lay on the floor blood pouring from their skulls as charred bits of the room added to the horrible smell in the air… the scent of blood and smoke. Fueimei stared in horror at a figure flying above her. A figure with a dark dress, long black hair, and scaly dragon like wings erupting from its back darted about the room easily dodging blasts from his desperate sister. Rushing over to him, she pushed him out of the room, "Xiao! Get out of-!" A red dagger embedded itself into her neck.
He felt her blood sprinkle onto his clothes and face as she coughed once then began to collapse. "No!" The cry left his dry throat as the limp body of his sister dropped on the floor. The figure slowly turned towards the paralyzed boy.
The dark voice from before, emerged from this hell-spawn. "Do you possess pieces of the orb?"
He couldn't reply, shock was his only emotion. He couldn't breath, blood was everywhere… his sister's blood… his own 'flesh and blood.' Fire blazed around him, heat pounded his head.
Hair shaded the evil eyes that bore into his mind just then. "Xiao-lang, Syaoran, Li…" The sound of his name drew him out of shock. "You…" The demon woman threw balls of fire… straight… at… his… heart…
A small explosion rang out, destroying the fireballs. Yelan and Kaho stood by his side. Yelan muttered a spell making the demon-woman smash into the opposite wall. More fire erupted around them. Yelan pushed her son to the ground, barely missing the fireballs. Planting a small kiss on his cheek, she pushed him back, towards Kaho. "Get him out of here!" Kaho paused for only a second, then grabbing him by the arm, rushed out. Fire erupted behind them, leaving Yelan alone, with her daughter's corpses and the murderess witch.
"Everyone, get out!" Kaho shouted, "Nobody moved, so great was their surprise. "Damn it! Move!" Everyone at the bottom of the stairs heard a mind-shattering explosion. Wood from the house fell around them. Syaoran looked up the stairs… he forgot completely about the collapsing house and ear killing sounds.
'Mother…' Putting a foot on the stairs, someone grabbed his arm.
"Syaoran, let's go. Now!" Kaho pulled the boy towards her. "Your mother is strong. Come on otherwise you'll be dead too." He wordlessly let himself be pulled along. She pulled him to her, running out the door being supported by the shield card. The shield disappeared and the door way along with it. A loud rumble shook the ground as the house crashed into dust and wood. Shrapnel and debris flew. Syaoran closed his eyes, feeling something cover him.
The air cleared of dust and had left everything a powder gray. Syaoran opened his eyes… what happened? It was all so fast… Sakura was flown out by Yue… Cereberus took Meiling and Tomoyo… but other than that… He couldn't think… his sisters, dead… his mother… who knew? …
Kaho stood over him, her arms around his shoulders. Her torn clothes, powdered hair, and dirt streaked face was something Syaoran though he would never see on a person like Kaho. She protected him from the collapsing house. Looking around he saw everyone else, fairly clean, standing several feet away. Protected by the shield card. The heat of the noonday sun bore down harder than ever on his head.
"Syaoran!" Sakura shouted, running over. Tripping over wood and metal. "Syaoran? Do you know what-?" Another explosion followed the disturbing silence. Fire erupted all around them.
"You'll all die eventually." That voice droned. "All of you, along with the last five who tried to stop me. But now I want the Li out of the picture…"
Syaoran jerked around… his mother, his sisters…
Pearly teeth where in the cold smile, "I want the orb… and revenge!" The heat from the fire grew feeding off the broken wood.
His mind became the scattered pieces of a puzzle. He couldn't think straight. What was happening? He could barely see straight… His devastating sight of his sisters corpses and the sister killed before his eyes… it over powered his senses. All he could see was the blood. 'Snap out of it…' a little voice in his mind told him.
He slowly drew himself out of the trapped mind… too slowly… Their magic, Yue's, Cereberus', the Sakura cards, Kaho's magic… none worked… more explosions, more chaos. Two thumps were heard as Meiling and Tomoyo were knocked out by pieces of the house, sent flying by the fire-she-demon in the air. Magic, chaos… blood… what was happening? Syaoran shook his head, covering his ears. His arm burned again… dragging his mind along with it. He knew Eriol, Ruby Moon and Spinel Sun were here… Yue and Cereberus had disappeared from his mind. Were… what…? More lights, more heat and fire, more booming sounds… now the guardians and Sakura had been knocked out… Sakura… she was bleeding… Sakura… Kaho… Eriol… soon they were out… He felt the shadow loom over his head.
"It's the Li I want." Fire burned around him… "All I want is your blood."
Syaoran couldn't think, couldn't breath, the smoke was suffocating, pain over flooded his arm and mind. He could feel the gathering magic around the murderess. The world grew bright with fire and dark, with confusion… He could feel death looming over his head…
Cool blue light washed across him… like water, making his hurts disappear. His confused mind abandoned the bloody vision and accepted unconsciousness that came with the blue…
*********
"Syaoran?!" A voice cried urgently, "Syaoran!"
Fuzzy colors slowly formed into shapes and he stared at familiar faces. His mind was blank. It was blissful for the seconds it lasted. What happened hit him hard… "What… What happened?" He questioned, praying that it was all another dream.
The fact that no one responded was crushing, the smell of smoke and dust filled his lungs. Coughing a few times, he shakily stood up. Glancing around he took in the sight. Police cars could be heard screeching… coming their way. Everyone was covered in dust and bruises. Nothing was left… the area he was standing on was a wasteland. Littered with charred, broken wood, metal, and dust. Yukito and Nakuru were supporting Touya… who looked like his legs were broken. Spinel and Kero were in Eriol's and Tomoyo's arms, sleeping. The two people glanced at each other and then watched Syaoran, pity and sadness in their eyes. Kaho and Sakura watched him with concern. They were all covered in dust, both flesh and clothes had been torn.
Meiling touched his arm softly. "Syaoran…" He pulled himself away and walked amiss the rubble. Meiling and Sakura made a move to follow him. Meiling truly loved her cousins and aunt… but not as much as Syaoran. She hadn't known them as well… she had her own family, and they were alive. Kaho grabbed the young girls by their shoulders.
"Wait." The two looked at her, then back at Syaoran.
Falling to his knees, he lifted a few pieces of wood. Not knowing why, but for some reason… Lifting up one block he saw what he was looking for. The bloodstained hand with a single gold ring on the finger made him lose all hope. They were dead… all of them. To think that only a few hours ago his sisters had 'tortured' him, his mother had saved him with her own hand, the pale, bloodstained fingers that he now held. The sun caused his blood and skin to burn. The silence was even worse than the mind numbing explosions.
"Xiao-lang!… Flirt plenty ok? Oh you know you want to."
"And you're coming along, Xiao!"
"See? You should have that smile on more often."
"We love you very much. You know that right?" Their laughter would never leave him. Neither would their sudden screams… and sudden silence.
…a small kiss on the cheek, a push back, "Get him out of here!"
"Syaoran… the firefighters and others are here." Meiling and Sakura followed Kaho. The police sirens had quieted and the medical officers were gently taking Touya from Yukito and Nakuru.
"Come on." The two young girls tapped his shoulder. Making him drop the dead hand. Kaho knelt down, looking him in the eyes. She put her fingers underneath his chin, making him look up. Tears streaked down the dusty face.
"I don't get it…" He whimpered, "Why? What happened?" He held his head, it felt like it would burst. He broke down, "Why…" Kaho slowly put her arms around him, feeling the tears moisten her dirty shirt as he let her give him this little comfort. Sakura and Meiling felt completely helpless.
They didn't have any answers. No one did. All they could do for now was let the sadness take over.
'Why'd they die? Why'd I live? I'm… so… confused…" Syaoran heard the cracking of the fireman's boots against the breaking wood. The high sun wouldn't stop burning their eyes with it's light and smoking their bodies with heat. That murderess' voice broke into his mind one last time… they all heard it… but it was directed at him…
Golden orb… boiling blood… like your family, so you will be…
R+R please