*eye twitching* too… much school… work… not enough time for fan fiction. Projects… finals… all around me… was banned from computer… AAHHH! AAHHH! AAHHH! *hyperventilating… then returns to normal breathing* *phew* ok now that I let that out ^-^; Sorry I didn't update sooner. Hm… is there any side note I should mention? … *thinks* …… Not really, except to R+R pleaz.
Demon's Wings
Rain Whisper
'No one will get hurt at my expense. No more pain. I'll see my family again.' He could hear the she-devil screech as a million and one thoughts rushed through his head, 'Yukito, Kaho, everyone, I love you. Sakura… I hope you and Kenneth are happy together.' An ironic smile crossed his face, 'Looks like Meiling's gonna have to find a way to make my after-life a nightmare.'
Ripping through… Blue light… Scars burning… The ground rose up to meet him…
*********
"Syaoran. Syaoran!" Sakura cried. "Oh my God…" She feared for the worst. No one could find him. A surprisingly short time after she woke up, she had found Yue and an unconscious Kero. Kaho sensed something and raced over, tracking them down. "What if that thing got him?"
"I'm sure he's fine. This is Li we're talking about…" Kaho's tone of voice betrayed her doubts.
"I don't sense him or that demon anywhere," Yue murmured.
"Maybe we'd better split up. We could cover more ground that way." Kero suggested. They all nodded in agreement. Sakura bit her lip and kept walking, scanning the ground for any sign of the Chinese boy.
*********
Everything was dark. His mind was a complete blank. He couldn't move, every bone in his body felt broken.
"Li…" a gentle voice trickled around him like rain, "Now why did you go and try to kill yourself? It was that evil witch wasn't it?" Cool fingers ran through his hair. "Well don't worry about her. She's gone for now." The young woman's voice lightened, "Maybe for good. Hm…" A slight chuckle was let loose. "I must be crazy, talking to you when you're not even awake." The sound of the words fell about him like a soft rain, speaking to him quietly.
He tried forcing himself to open his eyes, but only succeeded in slightly moving his head.
"Li, Li, Li… what are we going to do with you?" The soft hands continued running through his hair. "You have so many who love you…" The voice became wistful, "You're lucky to have friends. I never had any. I hope… ah hoping things like that is silly. But I know your hopes." He knew this woman was smiling… somehow he just knew it, "You love Sakura. Well, who doesn't I wonder? She's such a sweet-heart. So are Tomoyo-san and Eriol-san, no matter how wicked he can be. Wouldn't they be a sort of golden couple? So perfect for each other…"
Syaoran relaxed and stopped trying to move, it wasn't getting him anywhere.
"Touya-san likes you a lot more than he lets on. When it comes to Sakura, he's an over protective nut case… but I know he has a strange sort of respect for you. Everyone does. Especially over the way you're handling all this."
There was a sort pause as a slight breezed told him he was still outside.
"I'm very sorry, Li." The voice was quiet, "Very sorry. I wanted to help your family. I really did, but I…" Something chilly sprinkled onto his cheek… she was crying. "I'm just sorry…"
'Kaho…?' He thought. 'Is that you?'
"Here's something I promise though… that witch will never affect your mind like she has been. Throwing your sister's voice's into your head like that. Yes, it was her in case you haven't figured it out." A slight growl was heard, "I hate her…"
'Who doesn't?' He winced, feeling pain slowly remerging …
"Let's see if I know any spells for this…" Finger-tips traced along his wounds and her voice whispered in an unknown language. A cool magic flooded his veins. Instantly his pain left. "I should have done that first… some help I am… I'm such an idiot…"
'No you're not.' Syaoran wanted to tell her.
"I can't wait until I can really talk to you. It's odd not having someone answer back to your comments…" The tone grew serious, "I wonder how you were saved? I sure didn't do anything… Sakura, Yue-san, Kero-chan… they were all somewhere else. Hmm… I'll have to look into that. Eriol-san would have to know too… Maybe it has something to do with these weird holes in your shirt. You don't even have a scratch there… I wonder how you got them?"
'Holes? In the back of my shirt? And I have no scratches there? Uh…'
"So much thinking to do… too much confusion, all because of that damn orb and her stupid blood spree…" Another pause ensued and Syaoran remained calm, feeling cool and comfortable for the first time in a long time…
A voice in the distance cried out, "Syaoran!"
"Ah… Mitzuki-san is here."
'Kaho-san?! You're not Kaho?!'
"I'll see you around Li…" He felt his head gently lowered to the ground. He had been on a stranger's lap? Damn! That must have been the one who kept saving him! He wanted to shout for her to stop, but he couldn't. The soft feeling of cool rain vanished. And he heard Kaho footsteps dashing towards him.
*********
"I liked that movie!" Sakura said cheerily.
Tomoyo zoomed her camera in on Sakura, wearing yet another Daiduoji-style outfit, "Yeah." She smiled, then moved the camera over focusing on Syaoran and Kenneth. She sighed, they were a lot more alike than they thought… Both knew martial arts, both cautious around people in general (and both been improving people relations), both were cute, liked soccer, math, didn't like studying Japanese, both played music, were unbelievably sweet when they wanted to be, got jealous easily, and so forth and so on. 'It's probably why Sakura went out with Kenneth in the first place. He reminded her of Syaoran.'
But of course they had there differences, one of the minor ones was that Kenneth played the violin where-as Syaoran played the flute. Kenneth was probably more brawn than brain, but wasn't as a courageous person. Once he got to know someone, he generally opened up to them, Syaoran never opened up. Just things like that. But the biggest thing that set them apart, was that Kenneth had Sakura, and Syaoran still loved her.
Tomoyo looked away from her camera. Too bad, she could easily picture them with Eriol, being the best of friends. Kaho smiled faintly, having thoughts similar to Tomoyo's.
A week had passed by, a happily peaceful week. Full of smiles, food, clear days, food, the park, food, laughter, food, food and food and food… (according to Kero)… oh! And pudding!
Fooling around for a while, sunny days, nothing dangerous…
Kaho eyed Syaoran. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't keep questions from popping into her mind. How had he lived after (apperantly) jumping off a cliff? They found him blood across his fore-head and arms, but no wounds… There were too many questions and no answers… She heard the tune of her cell phone and quickly plucked it from her purse.
"Moshi moshi…"
"Kaho…"
She raised an eyebrow, "Eriol?"
"Hai, just wanted to let you know that I did all I could and will be returning to Japan tomorrow."
Kaho smiled, "All right then. When do I pick you up?" As they made the arrangements, Tomoyo's camera had finally turned off as Sakura and Kenneth had quickly stepped inside an ice-cream parlor (the rest of them didn't want any).
"Li-kun… are you all right?" She asked, watching the young boy twitch in jealousy.
"Just… fine, Daiduoji." He said through gritted teeth, "Simply peachy."
Tomoyo smiled playfully, "You told me you didn't really like peaches, Li-kun."
Syaoran eyed her, "Daidoji…"
She giggled, "So… what have you been doing lately?"
He simply shrugged, "I've been helping Kaho-san out around the temple." She nodded and glanced into the parlor where Sakura and Kenneth were. She was dying to find out what Syaoran knew about this whole mess, but it wasn't like there was much she could do. She had no magic and knew nothing of it. She could only encourage them all. Her eyes looked to the floor, very unlike herself. She wished she could do more.
Syaoran noticed her distraught expression and glanced away. Tomoyo was his friend and in a few ways, she was closer to him than Sakura. His voice became grave as he said, "Tomoyo… do you have the video of… that day?"
Tomoyo was startled, but didn't show it. He… said her name. A smile would have appeared on her lips had she not known what 'that day' was. "Yes. Do you want it?" She watched him carefully. Not letting a single feature escape her sharp eyes, trying to see him through.
"Hai." He nodded, "Maybe it has something that may help us figure this out."
"What do you know so far, Li-kun?" Tomoyo asked.
He sighed, but his auburn eyes were steady, "I haven't even told Kaho-san this, but after that thing was chasing me through the forest-" He cut himself off as Sakura and Kenneth approached, "I'll call and tell you later." He smirked, "And my name's Syaoran, Tomoyo."
She smiled, "Call around eight, Syaoran."
*********
In England
Eriol frowned, adjusting his glasses. Nakuru dropped another pile of books on his desk, "Here are the books you wanted, master." Spinel eyed the pale boy… fifty hours straight with no sleep and that was no exaggeration.
"Master, shouldn't you rest a little?" He asked.
"I can't… I getting close to something," Eriol sighed, scanning the huge red book in front of him, "I know it." Taking a long look at their master, Nakuru and Spinel grimaced. Sometimes Eriol could be even more stubborn than Li. He closed the book with a sigh, pulling another book from the pile he flipped through its pages.
The orb, created from the purest gold…
The words seemed to pop up to his tired eyes. He snapped his attention to the sentence, reading the Old English text carefully. The two guardians looked over his shoulder, reading the article.
The Orb, created from the purest gold, was created to be the ultimate balance between gifts. Mages gathered from each corner of the earth, discreetly feeding the Orb with enchantment. The orb was then released into the world through "him" (see volume 27). The power was overwhelming and banished Satan's minions from the earth in torrents of gold. Once again the world was cleansed of the chaos that followed the demon's sudden uprisings. The Orb then was broken apart and set into the different corners of the earth and blood. This was done so as to keep the balance between gifts and not let a single man control its power.
Eriol smiled vaguely, "Well that's something."
Nakuru cocked her head, "I don't get it… 'balance between gifts,' 'Satan's minions,' 'earth and blood'?"
Eriol rubbed his eyes, "'Gifts' was a term for magic, Satan's minions would be demons, and… earth and blood… um… the pieces must have been hidden on different parts of the planet and… and with people, I asume."
Spinel nodded his head, "Do we have volume 27? Maybe we could find something on 'him,' whoever he is."
His master shook his head, "That's one book I don't have."
"Well can you get some rest now?" Nakuru asked, "You're not looking too good, y'know."
*********
"Stupid plane." Kero yawned, "So darn early."
"Why'd you come along then?" Sakura frowned.
"Because I wanna tell Suppi I beat the record for Galaxy Races." Kero smiled wickedly.
Sakura shook her head. Tomoyo and Syaoran were talking quietly to themselves. Sakura twitched slightly. She wasn't jealous… was she? 'Oh, how can I be jealous? They're just good friends. Not like they're going out…. They wouldn't anyway. Even though they'd make such a cute couple…" Sakura shook her head slightly, 'Why do I even care?'
Kaho watched the three children. She knew why Syaoran, Sakura, and Kero were here, to find out exactly what Eriol had found (well… maybe not Kero). Tomoyo might have been that way too, but she sensed another motive… something else that drove the young girl to come to the airport… especially when they all had to wake up at six to get there… 'Could it be that…?' The thought wasn't finished as she saw a familiar sapphire eyed boy walk out of the gate.
"Eriol!" Sakura smiled, waving. Eriol spotted them, Nakuru walked right behind him. No doubt that Suppi was in his backpack.
"Konnichi wa." He smiled, then suddenly became grave, "We have a lot to talk about."
"But first," Narkuru looked at them smiling, "Food and sleep."
*********
Syaoran set down the copies Eriol had made. "Well?" Kaho asked.
"Well what?" He asked, staring up at her.
"All those copies and notes Eriol gave you… find anything that stood out?"
The boy shook his head, "Only if 'everything' counts as an answer…" He stood up a moment. After sitting down for the past two days (he fell asleep in the chair reviewing the tons of information Eriol had brought on that damn orb and anything similar to it) his bones cracked a couple of times while he stretched his stiff limbs. He ran his fingers through his unruly hair with a sigh. Looking up at Kaho he realized she wasn't wearing her temple robes. She usually was at this time of day, "So where are you off too?" He eyed her casual clothes.
"Just to do some shopping." She smiled, "Stay out of trouble, I won't be gone long."
Syaoran smirked, "Lately trouble seems to find me." He whispered watching her walk out the door. He sighed and kicked his legs up onto the table. The past few weeks had been great for him. With Eriol back he, Sakura, and Tomoyo were constantly going out and talking… no Kenneth.
An urgent knocking came at the door. Syaoran frowned and walked over the door. Not sensing anything strange, he opened the door. Tomoyo stood there, looking tired, and holding a video cassette in her hand.
"Syaoran," She gasped, then quickly regained her composure, "I was… looking at the video of… that day, and I found something you might be very interested in."
"Why don't you breathe a second?" He showed her in, "What something to drink?"
Tomoyo shook her head, "No thanks." She popped the video into the VCR, took the remote and leaned back against the couch. She never took her gentle eyes off him. "Do you want to see… or…" She wasn't sure if he wanted to watch the video.
"What was it that you saw?" He asked casually.
Tomoyo pulled him down on the couch, seeing right through his calm expression. She saw nervousness in that auburn gaze, "Your little savior." She smiles vaguely, "Let me guess you never told anyone else about her, have you?"
Syaoran shook his head, letting himself fall back against the couch. "Let's see the video then."
Tomoyo nodded, "You can't see much because I… was on the ground, but you can hear everything." She pressed play on the remote. She had fast forwarded past all the fight, not wanting to throw that in his face. The screen was hazy and all one could really see was a strange red light bouncing off the rubble on the dirt ground. Tomoyo's finger tips could be seen on the corner of the screen. Syaoran assumed everyone had just been knocked out.
"You're mine boy…" That chillingly familiar voice stabbed at him.
"Kaji! Get away from him!" A blue light shook the screen and the sound of the young woman's voice relaxed Syaoran's tense body. "Now!"
"Don't interfere!"
"Why do you want him?! He's no concern of yours!"
"Why do you care? … See that tree there?" The red glow nearly blinded Tomoyo and Syaoran. "Your next if you don't leave!"
"No. I'm not leaving until I have an answer!" The kind voice became icy cold.
"He's an obstacle. Obstacles are meant to be broken though."
"Lovely response." The soft voice struck like icicles, "Now… you must go." The blue light bounced off the stones and wood pieces. A piecing scream filled their ears. The same screech Syaoran heard when he fell from the cliff. A drop of some black liquid fell in front of the screen. It took Syaoran a moment to realize it was blood.
"I'll get you for this!" The red light vanished completely.
The blue glow slowly grew brighter and a black shoe and the hem of a baby blue skirt lowered onto the screen. "Oh dear." The voice sighed. The camera was moved aside, now pointing at Tomoyo's feet. A few yards away were Kaho and Syaoran, both unconscious. The sapphire light became darker and then faded completely. A loud tapping sound was heard and the watchers knew their mysterious heroine was poking the camera. "Hm… oh… here we go!" The screen became dark.
"And that's it. She apparently turned off the camera." Tomoyo stopped the blank video. She looked back at Syaoran. She pursed her lips, "Syaoran."
His hands were white-knuckled fists, "That demon's name… it's Kaji…" He scowled, his voice dripping with hatred. Flames were dancing in his eyes.
Tomoyo's eyes widened. She had never seen him appear so angry. It was starting to make her nervous. "Syaoran… calm down." She took his hand in hers, in a feeble attempt to snap him out of his rage. "It's harder to think clearly when you're angry."
Syaoran breathed in deeply and sighed. "All right." He stood up, remembering the sound of his savior's voice. He remembered listening to rain from his window in China. For some reason they just sound alike to him. "Rain whisper…" He said quietly. Looking back at Tomoyo, he gave her a very faint smile, "Thank you Tomoyo."
Tomoyo shook her head, "Honestly Syaoran, it's nothing. You're like a brother to me, I'll do anything I can to help you."
*********
"Wha-? What?" She blinked at the question, thunder crashing above her.
"Sakura, just answer me." Kenneth frowned, showing courage unusual for him, "Who's more important, me or Syaoran?"
Sakura took a step away from her boyfriend, "I-I can't choose between you two! It's like trying to choose between my brother and Tomoyo. You're both important to me in different ways, isn't that enough?"
"Sakura, you've been practically ignoring me for the past few weeks and spending every moment with him. What's going on?"
"I told you: his family was just killed. Half died in front of him. Mei-lin is the only close family he's got and she's in hiding because people say she's the next murder target." Sakura trembled with nerves, Kenneth's expression hadn't softened, "Come on, it doesn't get much worse for the guy. I've contacted you when ever I could."
"Please just answer the question." Kenneth frowned. She was just staring. He sighed, "I don't blame you for loving the guy." He opened his umbrella and walked away.
"Kenneth!" Confused, she raced after him, she grabbed him arm, but he pulled away.
"Sorry, Sakura. It's over." He ran off.
Sakura stood in the downpour, forgetting her umbrella under the tree. Tears mixed with the icy rain. Her mind swirled, what just happened? Why did he just leave her? Her strength gave way under her and she fell to her knees, watching the puddles ripple around her.
The stabbing of rain on her back suddenly ceased and so did the ripples around her. She looked up, trying to make out the image blurred between tears. "Sakura? What happened?"
She quickly wiped away her tears, "It's nothing, Syaoran. What are you doing out here?" She changed the subject quickly not wanted to talk about her problems while he was suffering.
"I just needed to buy some things." He said, raising the white plastic bag around his wrist. Kaho said he needed to get out of the house more often. Well, after she told him to be careful and showed him how to summon his sword (he didn't have to carry it around)… He raised an eyebrow, "I know you're lying." He held his out his hand and helped her up, sighing at her wet and muddy clothes. "Come on, Sakura. Let's get you out of the rain."
**********
"That little… " Kero growled. "I'll kill him."
"Oh be quiet." Syaoran rolled his eyes, "No matter how much we may want to, we shouldn't interfere." He glanced into the room. Sakura was asleep on the bed. He left his position by the door and sighed, "I'd better go."
'Damn it kid, with the way you're acting you'd think you didn't care about her.' Kero crossed his little arms. Syaoran had come in with Sakura a little over an hour ago. Sakura looked incredibly pale and was trying hard to hide something from Syaoran. He could tell. Of course Syaoran wouldn't leave until she had eaten something… and told them what happened. Then they both insisted that she try to get some sleep, and, despite her protests, had managed to get her in bed. She fell asleep almost immediately. 'No… I take that back… he does care.'
"Call Mizuki-san, before you go." Kero pulled the phone off the receiver, "I bet she's wondering where you are." Syaoran stared at the phone blankly a moment, then took it, watching Kero as his fingers dialed.
"Kaho-san?… Yes… I know… I just ran into Sakura and had to help her home. … No, nothing that's worth ripping your hair out over, she'll be fine so-. … yeah I'm coming. Hai… iie, it's ok. See you in a few minutes. Yeah, bye." He hung up the phone and picked up his bag and umbrella. He glanced one last time at Sakura, then at the flying stuffed animal hovering in the air in front of him. "Watch out for her… Kero."
The guardian was surprised hear his name come from the boy's mouth. "Watch yourself, Li…" They both smiled… a small careful smile… but a smile nonetheless.
"Ja!" Syaoran walked out the door. The rain fell gently now and the lightening had disappeared from the sky. Though it wasn't dark, the street lamps were on and cast a curling wave of light across the sidewalks. Syaoran had always liked the rain. He loved the feel or the water against his skin, and seeing the little crystal droplets always made him feel calm.
The occasional splashing of a car running through a pond that had formed in the street, the sloshing of his shoes through the reflecting puddles, or the gentle pitter patter of the drops against his umbrella made him want to smile. Most people would have smiled seeing the sun… but…
Blood flowing down the floor… harsh heat… blazing boiling… corpses under the urban desert sun… mother… sisters… that was all he could think of when he saw the sun.
What made it all even worse was that he had never really told his family how important they were to him. He was always cold and indifferent towards them. He didn't want to make that mistake again. He'd try to be a little more open… just a little.
A collective shiver went through his body. The cheery sunlight that day had betrayed him… People would always say how happy and bright the sun was… what a bunch of liars. He looked up at the sky and let the rain kiss his face and wash away his horrors.
"Tasting the rain now are we?" A new voice said, "I like to do that myself."
Syaoran snapped around nearly dropping the plastic bag and his umbrella. There stood a young woman, who looked no older than twenty-one. She had waist-length, dark curls that framed her face and trailed down her back, her long black skirt was damp from the rain and flowed around her. She wore a loose black shirt that bared her shoulders and had sleeves that went down to her elbow. She twirled a navy blue umbrella. But her eyes… her eyes were a marble ice blue. Each pupil had a ring of pale jade green around the edges… those eyes… those cat-like spheres… Her long dark hair… she seemed so familiar. He noticed a dagger hung around her hip… a dark dress, long black curls, bloody daggers… "You!" He growled.
The young woman frowned, "I don't see why you sound so mean… I'm not the one who killed your loved ones."
"What are you talking about?! I saw you standing over their bodies! You held threw fire and knives and killed my sister!" Syaoran was fuming… sister. "You tried to kill me too!" The umbrella and bag clattered and when they settled on the ground, he had the woman pinned to the wall, his sword suddenly pressed against her neck.
"That wasn't me!" The young woman proested. "I'm here to help. You have to believe me!"
Syaoran frowned, and relaxed a little, keeping his sword by her throat, "Then you're going to answer a few questions." He snapped, "First of all, who… or what are you?"
"As far as I'm concerned I have no name… give me any name you want." The girl was frowning, but her eyes were wide at the glistening blade pressuring her throat.
Syaoran couldn't help but pity her… somehow he felt a connection to this stranger. But he still didn't trust her… not the slightest bit. He had a feeling that she could escape him if she wanted… He took a step back, now only the tip of his sword touched her neck. "Then answer this: what are you?"
"I am…" She seemed hesitant… "I'm…" She became incredibly pale. "I'm not sure exactly what I am. I'm a mix of things… human, demon, sorceress… mostly demon… wait…" She closed her eyes a brief moment. The full force of her power struck Syaoran, catching him off guard. Her immense aura was immense… and different from the woman he saw kill his family. It didn't feel like ordinary magic. It felt cool yet comforting at the same time. But somehow, he just knew others wouldn't sense the soothing magic this way. He pulled his sword away from her neck. Her aura was navy blue and lined with silver. He had never felt anything like it… he defiantly sensed some dark magic… but it was overwhelmed by Clow magic, the magic of the sorceress-mother, and so much more…
"Come on… we'll talk." He picked up his bag, convinced this wasn't the killer of his family. His mind suddenly awoke… that voice…
**********
"Suppi!!" Nakuru ran about the house.
"My name's not Suppi!!" The little black creature darted, trying to escape the crazed Nakuru. Eriol jumped aside; phone in hand, barely dodging the two running down the hall.
"It's just one sugar cube!" Nakuru called out, waving around a whole box of sugar.
"You hear them too?" Eriol sighed into the phone.
Tomoyo laughed, "It sounds like you're all having fun."
"Indeed." He rubbed his head. "Those two will be the end of me one day. Sometimes I wonder why I even created them…"
"To keep you company?" Tomoyo tried.
"Perhaps…" Eriol smiled. A sudden burst of static made him pull away from the phone. "Ah! Tomoyo-san are you there?"
"Yes… what happened?"
A wave of magic flooded his senses. It felt like a cool rain… but it was a strange and new magic. And disturbingly powerful… "Tomoyo, do you-? Wait… I forget you don't sense magic."
"Did you feel something, Eriol-kun?"
He frowned, "I still feel it. My God, it's powerful!"
"Master!" Ruby Moon and Spinel Sun raced into the room. "Do you know what it is?"
"No I don't. Tomoyo-san… wait one second; I'm trying to pinpoint it. This power…it's all over… everywhere." He closed his eyes a brief moment. 'Some where in the center of town… not too far off from Sakura's house… now it's heading towards… Oh no.' "Whatever it is, it's heading towards Kaho-san's house and Syaoran's with it."
"I'll get my camera." Tomoyo said.
**********
"I don't see why you're so hard on him." Yukito sighed.
"He's a little gaki that's why." Touya growled. "He spends way too much time with Sakura."
He smiled at the little twitch that had formed in his eyes. "Are you worried Li will take your little monster away from you?"
"No!" Touya turned the key to his house. This stupid wheel chair…
"Yukito-san!" Kero jumped in front of their faces, "Did you bring any extra cake? Or at least something really yummy?"
Yukito smiled, "In fact…" he held up a candy bar. He had actually bought a whole bag of them… but his stomach had gotten a little carried away…
"Oh! Gimmie!" Kero snatched it away from her, then coughed strangely. Breathing in he looked at him calmly, "Arigato, Yukito-san."
"Huh uh…" A quiet groan came down the stairs, "Who's here?" Sakura rubbed her eyes.
"Gomen nasai. Did we wake you Sakura?" Yukito asked.
"Oh, ohayo Yukito-san! And no… you didn't wake me." Sakura yawned again. "Kero-chan… how long was Syaoran here after I fell asleep?"
"WHAT?! That gaki—was here?!?!" Touya trembled with rage.
"He is not a gaki!" Sakura protested. That's when they all felt it. The familiar chill of rain and magic unlike any other rushed across them. The lights flickered once and everyone fell silent.
"God, what is that?" Touya gasped. He had slowly been regaining his powers and this was something completely… amazing.
"Someone out there has got a huge power." Kero narrowed his eyes. A yellow light and wings enshrouded him. Cereberous then stood before them.
"And who ever it is, is with Syaoran!" Sakura grew worried, what if it was someone else trying to hurt him? "We have to check it out."
"Agreed, let's go." Yue frowned, startling everyone with his sudden appearance. 'But somehow… I don't think the boy is in trouble.'
**********
"Thank you for understanding, Li-sama." She held a pale hand to her neck, as if she was unsure it was still unharmed.
Syaoran twitched, "Don't call me –sama. Now talk… why are you here to help? And what do you know of my family?" Syaoran was ready to burst with all his questions… but he was still so unsure of himself and of this young woman. He was wondering if she was the one who…
"Well, like I said, as far as I'm concerned, I have no name, but I know the name of the woman who killed your family. She is called Kaji Nikumu. She is a demon-sorceress and she is after the Golden Orb of Magic…" She watched him intently, as if expecting him to run around screaming.
"The golden orb Eriol found all that stuff about. The thing it…Kaji, was after."
The woman with dark hair nodded, "The orb is part of an old legend…" A groan escaped her mouth, "I hate telling these old stories. It's so annoying, but you have to know." She took a deep breath, drinking in the rain. "The orb is said to give its keeper the ultimate power, unlimited dominion over the magic world."
"Sorcerers created it in order to restore peace to a world over-run by evil demons and wild magic. It was chaos." Syaoran put in, "Once everything was in order they had to keep the balance created by the orb, so they couldn't destroy the orb. So, to keep any one person from getting the power of the orb, but still keep the peace it controlled, the orb was split into pieces. I understood that much."
The name-less woman nodded, "Glad you understand it. Saves me some breath." She smiled with pearly teeth. "I wonder why legends can never be more original?" She closed her eyes remembering… "One on land, one under sea. Part in the birth from one banned. Part in the guard whose name was yet to be. Part in air, part in fires. One, a demon's eye in a demon's lair-"
"In one whose crawled through briars. And two within new love unbound and newly found." Syaoran finished, "Yes… I remember now. I read about it one of mother's books." He then murmered, "No wonder I felt like I should have known something…" Syaoran grew tense… mother… He shook it off and frowned, "I'm guessing the poem is a clue to where the pieces are hidden?" What else could it have been?
"Yes… and that witch who attacked you… she is," a grimace appeared on her delicate face, "Like me, part demon and sorcerer. She had a piece of the orb within her… part in the birth from one banned… her father was a demon and her mother a sorceress. Her father was banished by magic users from the mortal world. He returned and had a child with my half-mother. Using a spell Kaji brought the piece of orb out from within her… and spent years searching for the other pieces. Part in the guard whose name was yet to be… that… was me. I have a piece of the orb. Kaji can't find the other pieces and wants them desperately."
"So what does this have to do with my family? Does my family have one of the pieces?" Syaoran looked up at her.
Her blue ice colored eyes softened, "I'm sorry. No. But the reason your family was involved is a little complicated. You see, Kaji's father was banished from this world because he had stolen the soul of a close friend of a very powerful sorcerer…"
"Named Clow Reed." Syaoran frowned, seeing her nod, "Let me guess. Somehow Kaji's father came back, and my family got rid of him for good."
"You're very good at putting things together." The woman sighed, brushing her curls over her shoulder, "Kaji was mainly killing for revenge… but…"
"But what?" Syaoran eyed her.
"Well," She tapped her chin thoughtfully, "First of all, you do understand all of this right?"
"Kaji's a demon's daughter, who wanted revenge and wants to get all the pieces to an orb that controlled the magic in world. She killed my family in revenge." He scowled, "Now, but what?"
She bit her lip, "I know there's something about the Li's that frightened her. She killed them in hope to eliminate those capable of stopping her. But it wasn't the Li clan in general that frightened her. She wanted to kill you. She's made that clear several times. There's something about you Li Syaoran that frightens her." The rain seemed to fall harder.
"What-?" Syaoran nearly fell backwards, "She's much stronger than I am! Why is she afraid of me?! Sakura, Eriol… them I could understand… but I'm…" He paused, "…I'm weak. Besides, she didn't seem scared of me the last few times she's tried to kill me." He looked towards the ground, and frown upon his face, "It doesn't make any sense."
"I don't think you're weak." She patted his shoulder awkwardly, unsure if she should touch him, "And I didn't say it made sense. But… there is something about you…" She put her chin in her hand. The rain had slowed. But the dark clouds still hovered overhead. "Anyway, I think that another reason she killed your family is to get information. You sister's were in the library were they not? She probably thought you'd know something about it. The Li family was…is wise and powerful so it makes sense."
"No… not is, it was…" Syaoran thought sadly, grief over-coming him again.
She shook her head, "Is… you and Mei-lin aren't the only one's who survived. The rest of the Li clan has gone into hiding until this has either blown over… or until they can re-group."
Syaoran forced a small smile… that was true… but still… "Wait…just how do you know all this? And I could've sworn it was you who killed my family."
"Well, I… was not born. I was created… by…" The woman, sighed, "Clow Reed. He knew of the legend and created me in secret. He made an amulet and gave it to a sorceress. The amulet was me. Kero and Yue have the book, I was a pendant. She was to say a spell and I would appear. This sorceress was Kaji's mother. Kaji and I look a lot alike. Except our eyes are different. Her eyes are orange. You must have not seen her eyes." She shuffled her feet and looked up. "Good thing you didn't. Her eyes a very nerve-wreaking. And I just know these things, Reed-sama created me that way I guess." They were standing in front of Kaho's house.
"Just a few more questions." Syaoran said. The ice-eyed girl nodded. "Why are you telling me all this?"
She smiled, "Clow Reed created me to help you… I'm a guardian… just like Yue, Cereberus, Spinel Sun, and Ruby Moon. But unlike Yue, I was not created to be angel-like. Clow knew that the forces we would be dealing with would have to be fought… how do you say it? Ah yes… we'd have to fight fire with fire."
Syaoran shook his head… this was a lot of information. But why… "Why do I need a guardian? I'm not that important." He mumbled.
She raised an eyebrow delicately, "Not true."
Syaoran eyed her, "Whatever." He sighed. His 'guardian' shook her head. He felt out her aura again and couldn't help asking one last question… for now, "When this Kaji attacked, were you the one who-?"
"Kept you safe…?" She completed the sentence for him. Syaoran nodded. She smiled softly. "Yes. That was me."
"And when I-?"
She giggled, "I was there, too." Syaoran sighed.
"Why didn't you tell me all of this then?"
"Because someone else was always there and I wanted to talk to you before talking to everyone."
The rain came down softly. "Syaoran." Kaho walked out of the temple grounds, "I was about to go look for you. You called forty minutes ago and it doesn't take that long to walk from Sakura's house to here." She saw the young woman by the thirteen-year-olds side. Although she had sensed her long ago, she struggled not to let her thoughts show. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see you. I'm Mitzuki Kaho." Her face showed hints of a grimace, glancing at the expressionless Syaoran, "Who are you?" Their eyes locked together and she could feel something familiar. The woman's aura felt a little like Yue's… or Ruby Moon's…
"I'm…" She frowned slightly and looked down at Syaoran. "What is my name?" Syaoran met her stare. Her eyes reminded him of gentle rain. It began to drizzle again and the soft sounds echoed around him. Her eyes became a pale slate blue. "That is… if you accept me…" She whispered.
"What's going on?" Syaoran turned around. Eriol, Tomoyo (camera in hand), Ruby Moon and, Spinel Sun were standing behind them, shielded from the rain by a clear magic dome. The name-less woman stared at them, she glanced at Syaoran, then, with a sigh, looked up into the rain lowering her umbrella. The droplets calmed her nerves. She knew the other's were skeptical of this stranger.
Yue, Sakura, and Cereberus ran up to them, freezing once they spotted the source of the enormous power. They forced Touya to stay at home. "She looks like the woman that killed Syaoran's family." Sakura gasped.
"It can't be her. Her aura is different…" Yue glowered a little. Her aura was icy… but strangely, nobody was afraid of her. The aura slowly dwindled and was completely hidden once again.
Meeting his gaze once again, the young woman had no way of know what he was thinking. She felt as if she was staring into a mirror instead of his eyes. Rain poured down her face. If Syaoran didn't trust her she would understand. She'd just have to do her job from afar. Rain suddenly stopped dribbling down her cheeks and hair. She opened her eyes and saw an umbrella over her head.
Syaoran observed her carefully. There was truth in those eyes… and he could see in them the hardships and mysteries that were ahead. Why him? What next? What about the orb? There were so many questions. But he had a feeling that even though she wouldn't have all the answers, she'd try to get them. He watched the color in her cat-like gaze grew warm as he smiled a little and said, "Everyone, meet Ame Sasayaki… my guardian."
If this chapter didn't make sense I'm VERY sorry! I tried to make it as clear as possible! I really did try! (try is the key word there) Well, review please! (side-information Ame = Rain in Japanese and Sasayaki = whisper) PS: Has anyone written a Tomoyo + Syaoran fic? Just wondering.