DISCLAIMER:IF YOU DON'T KNOW IT BY NOW, THEN YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF
YOURSELF! TSK, TSK, TSK! CCS BELONGS TO CLAMP!!!
f-teardrops: Chapter 5!
Jamie: Finally!
Lydia: Yeah, that took forever!
f-teardrops: Um...yeah, it did... . But look on the bright side! At least it's out!
Jamie: Uh-huh...after 10 days!!!
Lydia: You should be ashamed of yourself! :(
f-teardrops: 8'( I'M SO VERY SORRY! GOMEN, GOMEN, GOMEN!!!
Lydia: Well, at least you apologized!
Jamie: That's a bit better!
f-teardrops: ^_^
Jamie: But it's also inaccurate. You should be crying. I mean, take a look at your screen name!
f-teardrops: 8'(
Lydia: Well, I'm Dark secrets, but I'm not evil.
Jamie: Hmm...good point! I'm lil anmei, but I'm not little, either!
f-teardrops: *beams* Oh yes! These are the ID's of my two best pals, Jamie and Lydia! They're in my favorite authors' list, too! Take a look, if you want!
Jamie & Lydia: *grins* We're famous! We're famous!
f-teardrops: I feel so much happier now! Thanks a lot for bearing with me, especially you, LQueenie! You're the most faithful reviewer of them all!
Jamie: Long live the Queen!
Lydia: Thank you, thank you, thank you!
f-teardrops: *bows deeply* You have my gratitude. And now...to start the story!
NOTES: Should I use Master Eriol or Eriol-sama? Which one do you guys prefer? Could you tell me, please? I would really appreciate it! ^O^ I'm sticking with Keroberos though, and not Cerberus, as then Kezoberos would have to be...Cerbezus? Cerbeezu? They both sound a little odd, in my opinion.
In addition, I've tried a different form of separating setting and people and so on. Using CAPS LOCK is a little too bold, in my opinion. ^~^;;
}}} Syaoran {{{
Voices.
That was all he could hear. Just so many endless voices---whispering together about something he couldn't figure out. They were too soft, too blurry...he strained to listen, to try to understand what was being said--- but it was too hard. Only snatches of conversation could reach his ears.
"---took her---and then---"
Syaoran recognized that voice. It was Tomoyo's.
"Who is this----why would he---thing?"
That was Yue.
"Clow Cards---magical powers---sealing---"
Keroberos, by no doubt.
"Meiling---home---excuses. But what---Syaoran---injured?" Tomoyo asked again.
"---only a bump---heal him---some of my---sleep"
[Who was that?] Syaoran thought to himself. [He sounds so familiar....but it can't be....Eriol? Here?] His head started to hurt then, and Syaoran stopped thinking to drift into peaceful slumber...
"Sakura..." he mumbled.
}}} The Bedroom {{{
"How is he doing?" Nakuru asked, gesturing to the prone figure of Syaoran on the bed. She had just entered the room with a tray full of sweets and snacks.
"Better," Spinel replied, glancing at the tray warily. "But not out of it yet." He glared at the cheerful guardian. "So don't you try anything, Nakuru. Master Eriol ordered that the boy was to be undisturbed."
"What were all those people talking about, Suppi?" Nakuru asked as she flopped into a chair by Spinel's side. "I couldn't hear anything down in the kitchen." She set the tray onto her lap and began to munch on a cookie. "Mmm...not bad! Want one, Suppi?"
"No, thank you," Spinel replied, glaring at her. "If you want to know what happened, then I suggest you listen."
"Ok." Nakuru nodded submissively enough. She swallowed the cookie. "So what's up, Suppi-chan?"
Spinel felt a nerve pop at that remark, but decided to ignore it. "Daidouji- san was telling Master Eriol what had happened," he explained between clenched teeth. "Apparently, they were attacked by another powerful sorcerer very much like Master and his two Guardians, Yui and Kezoberos. Apparently all three are dark reincarnations of Clow Reed, Yue, and Keroberos. We're lucky that most of his descendents are of the side of light."
"Mmm-hmm..." Nakuru nodded. "And then?"
"Master Eriol started to grow quieter as Keroberos and Yue started to chatter with each other about why this Eli person---that's our Master's look-alike---wanted the Clow Cards. Power was their first guess, but then revenge came into mind. He had been locked up for millennia, after all." Suppi paused for a bit to rest.
"Tea?" Nakuru offered smilingly and held up a teacup.
Suppi looked suspiciously at the cup and shook his head. "Ahem. At any rate, the conversation went back to Syaoran-san. (Hmm, that's weird) Master said that he would be alright---he only had a bruise on his head, nothing more. But apparently he's out cold, just like Touya-san."
"Touya?" Nakuru perked up. "What happened to him? I just left him, and he seemed normal enough."
Suppi sweatdropped. "He---ah---got too excited and Syaoran punched him."
"Well, I'm sure he'll be fine," Nakuru said airily. "At least they're all safe. Do they know about Mistress Sakura?" (Note: From what I've learned, Nakuru doesn't really seem to "love" Touya, but just hung around to take advantage of his powers. Sorry! And since Nakuru's not really a girl or a boy---or a human, for that matter---things could get somewhat complicated if they were to, you know, hook up...)
Spinel shook his head. "She was kidnapped by Eli. Nobody knows where she is- --her aura has all but disappeared with her, and the Clow---no, Sakura Cards, too."
"Well, that sucks!" Nakuru pouted.
"That's why Master is meeting with Keroberos and Yue now---to formulate a plan," Spinel said slowly. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to---"
"Hold on!" Nakuru cried. "You haven't tasted my cookies yet! They're my latest recipe, with a dash of something extra!"
"M-maybe later, Nakuru," Spinel said nervously as he flew out and backed away, only to be trapped by the closed door.
"Just one?" Nakuru persisted. Spinel opened his mouth to reply and in return received a cookie into his mouth. Nakuru happily worked his jaws up and down and made him eat it all. (Poor Spinel.) Crumbs scattered to the floor.
Spinel seemed to see stars spinning before him. He had tried to tell Nakuru no, but...now that he thought of it, the cookies didn't taste bad. Maybe he could est one more-or two---or why not just eat them all? His eyes glazed over. "More..." he sighed in bliss. "Give me more! Now!"
"Sure!" Nakuru giggled. "Have as much as you like! I put extra sugar into all of them!"
}}} The Library {{{
Tomoyo sat in a plush leather chair, her cut healed and the mysterious black journal in her lap. She had remembered to pick it up before Eriol had teleported them all to his mansion. There, he had quickly healed Keroberos and Yue. Yue had seemed despondent when he had recovered, but Keroberos was raring to go and anxious to save Sakura. It was Eriol who managed to calm him down and enlist their help---and those of his two Guardians---to help out Touya and Syaoran first. He had been reluctant to let Touya wake, and so had placed him under a sleeping spell, while all judged that it would be best to let Syaoran recover first before dealing with current issues. After all, they had just lost...Sakura.
Tomoyo sucked in her breath sharply and hugged the journal to her chest. She shut her eyes. If anyone were to see her like this now...
She felt so useless! Keroberos and Yue had sent her away, and then had gone into a room to have a private conversation with Eriol over current matters. Suppi was watching Syaoran, while Nakuru had a watch over Touya. Meiling had turned somber and taken the responsibility of calling everyone's families to make up excuses. Only her, Tomoyo, had nothing to do. All the cooking, cleaning, watching, caring, and worrying had all be taken care of by everyone else but her. She had asked to be with them at the meeting, but Eriol had gently informed her that it was private. She didn't want to disturb Touya or Syaoran, and she couldn't visit Meiling as she had shunned them all and left for a walk alone.
Sighing, Tomoyo went back to studying the black book. She had tried to wipe its cover clean, but no matter what she did, the words on it remained blurry and undecipherable, though she had figured out that the "E" she thought she had seen was actually a "h", not that it helped much. And there was still the matter of the tiny lock on its side. Nothing could break it apart---not a hammer or a lock-cutter or a screwdriver or her hands or a can opener or a long metal rod or a short metal rod or a wooden rod or etc. Tomoyo was beginning to wonder if the lock could be protected by magic. Perhaps it was.
[I wish you would open!] she thought at the lock. [What are you protecting?]
The lock, of course, didn't answer.
Exasperated and wrought with worry and exhaustion, Tomoyo flung the journal to the ground. It laid there as she stared at it, not moving.
Click!
The lock broke open. Tomoyo blinked, then brightened. She picked up the journal and inspected it. It was true. The lock was hanging off the journal, open and permanently damaged, by its looks. She smiled and went back to her chair.
}}} Discussions {{{
"What we need to do now," Keroberos said slowly. "Is to find Sakura and kill Eli and his accomplices." He was trying to keep calm, but a sinister growl lay under his tone.
"How do you plan to do that?" Eriol asked him quite pleasantly; seemingly oblivious to the fact that Keroberos rested his claws on his table.
"You tell me," Keroberos muttered. "You're the wizard."
Eriol smiled a small smile. "Very well, then. Even if we were able to find Sakura and her captors, how can we plan about defeating them? The last time you all face them it was a disaster. And even with my help," he added quickly, seeing a dangerous glint in Keroberos' eyes, "You would not be much better off. I have given most of my power to Sakura."
"Well, how about a rescue mission?" Keroberos persisted. "You are still strong, despite all you said. We could find my Mistress, take her from---"
"Impossible," Eriol shook his head. "Her aura is nowhere to be seen, and this is not to be done in your conditions, Keroberos and Yue. You have both just recovered from your wounds. Even with my magic, it will be some time before both of you are completely healed. Don't argue with me," he added menacingly as Keroberos was about to protest. "If either of you were to go into battle now, I doubt that you would both come back alive."
"Then what do you suggest?" Keroberos snarled.
Eriol sat back in his seat and replied. "We wait. And in the meanwhile, we try to find out more."
"THAT'S ALL YOU CAN THINK OF?!" Keroberos roared.
"That's all we can do at the present." Eriol whispered. "Unless you intend on seeking your Mistress by yourself?"
Keroberos grumbled, and backed away. "Fine," he sighed. "But I wish we could do something other than wait!" He turned and walked out the door.
Eriol looked after him emotionlessly, though pity was in his eyes. He then turned to face the silent white-haired angel (Yue, duh! ^_^) standing by the window. "And what do you have to say?" he asked him.
"About what?" the angel replied sullenly.
"This idea of mine," Eriol reminded him.
"I don't care either way." He said coolly.
There was a long pause.
"It wasn't your fault, Yue," Eriol said finally. "Nothing could have been done."
Silence greeted his remark. Finally there was a sigh, and Yue looked up to stare at him with his silver eyes. "I could have tried harder," he replied quietly. "I could have done something to save her."
"What could you have done?" Eriol asked him.
"I-I could have tried to trick Yui, or beat him. But I didn't! And I should have done! And now--" Yue choked back his gasp. "She's gone! I'm a terrible Guardian! I shouldn't have let her be captured!"
"Let her be captured?" Eriol repeated. "Yue, they were too powerful. There was nothing you could have done, even if you hadn't fainted."
"I'm weak." Yue muttered.
"No," Eriol said slowly. "Those two had centuries to train for their revenge. You were awakened only four years ago. You can't expect to be on the same level as them unless you train hard."
"How?" Yue looked up. "I don't have centuries to spare."
"But I do." Eriol said mysteriously.
"What do you mean?" Yue looked at him curiously.
Eriol just smiled. "You shall see," he assured him. "Believe in yourself, Yue, and anything can be done." He left the room.
Yue gazed after him thoughtfully.
}}} Realization {{{
"Stupid Eli!" the black haired girl growled as she punched her pillow. "Stupid, stupid stupid!" Around her room, various items were scattered on the floor, discarded in a wild tempest of fury and pain. Meiling growled in frustration and finally started to pull at the pillow, ripping it into shreds and scattering feathers everywhere. When all she had left was an empty pillow cover, the girl looked around for something else in the room to vent her rage on.
Her eyes landed on a round glass music box, and she stiffened. [Syaoran...] she thought to herself, and picked herself up from the floor. Gingerly she took the music box and placed it on her bed. [I remember this. You gave me it.] Her eyes softened, and her fury melted away. [I wish we had never known about the Clow Cards,] she sniffed. [They cause nothing but trouble! Every time Syaoran had his life in danger, it was because of those Cards!] Anger rushed through her and she was tempted to smash the music box onto the floor. In fact, Meiling felt herself picking up the box. Her mind was confused, caught in a haze of hate and muddled emotions. She saw herself throwing it, saw the music box come falling to the ground. It shattered into a million pieces.
[No.] her mind gasped. And then she was screaming it out loud. "No! No!" Crying, she bent down to pick up the pieces of the box, trying vainly to put them back together and in another way, put her life back together. Meiling gathered the glass pieces to herself, her arms and hands bleeding from cuts and gashes. "Are you pushing me away even n-now, Syaoran?" she growled, noticing the stinging cuts. "But you've never loved me, did you? I don't know if you've even liked me! From the start, all you had eyes on w- was that i-idiot Sakura! I hate you!"
The last three words hit her like a blow to the face. Meiling tensed up and froze to the spot. [No,] her mind thought miserably. [I don't hate you, Syaoran. I love you. Even if you love Sakura.] A tear slipped by unnoticed. [It's all because of everything that happened. Things are going by so fast! First we were both card captors, and then you fell in love with Sakura, and then I left for Hong Kong and you came back with that bear of yours from Sakura. And now...we're both back, but so is Eli!] Another tear slipped by. [It's not fair! It's not! You're always getting hurt, Syaoran, and I hate it! I don't want you to get hurt! I wish Sakura was back!] A third tear dropped. Meiling curled up and hugged her knees. "Oh Syaoran....I'm sorry." Meiling whispered, and began to cry.
}}}The Library{{{
Tomoyo was pouring over the journal's contents, wondering what it could be about. The pages were old and wrinkled with age, and written in some strange script. Yet that only intrigued Tomoyo all the more. She gingerly brushed past the pages, all a mystery to her, and stopped when she settled on a page with a sheet of folded paper thrust inside it. Curious, (who wouldn't be) Tomoyo opened the paper and found one sentence:
I have been waiting for you.
It was written in a small and delicate script, beautiful but not to the point of being tawdry. (Eh...why am I describing how people write? Must be bored.) But she was perplexed by why the paper and sentence were there in the first place. [Who are they for?] she mused. [Certainly not me...]
And then, there was a rush of air as all the windows in the library opened at once. Wind swept around Tomoyo, encircling her. Surprised, she stood up-- -and the journal clattered from her lap onto the floor. With her hand still clutching the paper, Tomoyo cried out. "Help!" she cried.
}}} In the Hallway {{{
Keroberos was sulking to himself as he walked amongst the hallways of Eriol's mansion. What he wished more than ever was to take action---to do something to help his Mistress. Instead, Eriol had advised them---no, ordered---to stay put and wait. Wait?! While his Mistress was in danger?! Keroberos was sure that Eriol was mad, and had wanted to lunge at his throat right there and then. But he had stopped himself. After all, the memory of Clow Reed was still embedded in his memory, and as Eriol was Clow Reed's reincarnation...
"Help!"
The voice of Tomoyo sliced through his thoughts, along with a faint sense of an unfamiliar lavender aura. [Wha--? She's in trouble!] Keroberos realized with a start. He spun around and crashed through the doors of the library, not bothering to open them or knock.
It was chaos inside. Tomoyo was trapped in the center of a cyclone, the windows were all wide open, and books were flying everywhere. "I'm coming!" Keroberos cried, dashing towards her.
"No, wait!" Tomoyo cried. "Don't get near!"
Keroberos stopped from sheer shock. "Uh, why not?" he blinked.
"I'll be back!" Tomoyo managed to cry out, before she...disappeared?!
"Tomoyo!" Keroberos roared. This was not good. But she was gone, and with it the swirling tempest of fury. The library settled down again, though the windows remained open, and all the books magically returned to their shelves. Well, all but one. Keroberos looked suspiciously at a black journal that laid very near to where Tomoyo had been standing. [Not good,] Keroberos thought to himself. [I sense magic in this thing.]
Suddenly, there was another gust of wind as Yue swooped in, his wings outstretched and his expression one of worry. Behind him came a curious Nakuru, holding a delirious Spinel in her hands.
"What happened?" Yue asked him matter-of-factly.
"I don't know." Keroberos replied.
"Then we'll have to find out." Eriol said as he appeared at the doorway, relatively calm. (As he always is.... :p)
}}} Tomoyo {{{
(Slight repercussion)
As Tomoyo finished her cry for aid, she felt an odd presence near her. "Who?" she cried, and turned to see no one. "What's this? I don't understand..."
[Don't worry, little one. All will be fine.]
Tomoyo nearly screamed from hearing this voice speaking in her mind. "I truly must be going insane..." she murmured, but she felt calm nevertheless.
[Listen to me. I need to speak with you. It is urgent.]
"What do you mean?"
[Please, just trust me. Make sure nobody is near you, or else this will not work. I will not harm you or your friends---I promise.]
"Well...okay." Tomoyo agreed reluctantly. She knew that listening to voices in your head was not a good idea, but this one sounded so...familiar? She decided that it couldn't hurt. After all, the voice only wanted to speak with her, right?
At that moment, Keroberos burst through the door, effectively shattering it with all his girth. "I'm coming!" he growled, dashing towards her.
The voice's warning rang through her head and she cried out. "No, wait!" she cried. "Don't get near!"
Keroberos stopped and stared at her in confusion. "Uh, why not?" he asked her, blinking and cocking his head.
Tomoyo felt herself being pulled away. Not really understanding what was happening, she called out again. "I'll be back!" she cried, trying to give Keroberos a sign of reassurance.
And then he disappeared, along with the floor, the ceiling, and the room, only to be replaced with a bright and blinding whiteness. Tomoyo's first thought was that she was looking at the sun, but that was silly. So she waited and looked around, hoping to see anyone or anything in this world of blankness.
[We are safe now,] the feminine voice replied again. [And now, I can speak to you in peace.]
"Who are you?" Tomoyo asked, utterly confused.
[Shh...don't worry, all will be made clear,] the voice seemed to be smiling as she made this remark. [Come with me.] A door appeared in thin air in front of Tomoyo, and not knowing what else to do, she opened it and walked through.
The sight before her shocked her.
}}} The Dungeons {{{
"Hello, Sakuya." (Yes, a repeat, to jog your memories!)
Sakura looked up, startled, as Dark and Light seemed to seethe with anger.
//Be careful, Sakura-sama,// Light warned her warily.
//Yes. We do not know what tricks this one has up his sleeve,// Dark hissed ever so softly.
"Well?" Eli looked at her expectantly. "Aren't you going to say anything?"
"I-I-I-Hoe?" Sakura settled on her favorite expression, and calmed down. "Let us out!" she demanded from behind the bars. "And I told you already, my name is SAKURA, not Sakuya."
"I see." Eli seemed amused. "How are you doing?"
"Why do you want to know?" Sakura regarded him suspiciously. "I don't think the comfort of your prisoners would be of any matter to you."
"Perhaps." Eli smiled, showing his teeth. (Watch out Sakura! Fangs!) "But you're the exception."
"How so?" Sakura demanded boldly, though she was quaking inside.
"I'll get to the point," Eli said quite calmly. "I admit, I am curious. How did you manage to obtain the Clow Cards?"
"I am a descendent of Clow Reed," Sakura said matter-of-factly, recalling Eli's boast. "A direct daughter, in fact, of his reincarnation."
"Eriol?" Eli raised an eyebrow. "I did not recall him to be quite so---"
"NO!" Sakura exploded, blushing. "I meant my father!"
"There is another reincarnation of him besides me and Eriol?" Eli sounded surprised.
"Well, yes!" Sakura cried, then blinked. "Uh, I mean no?"
Eli's smile grew broader. "I see. I'll have to keep that in mind, then." Sakura scowled. "Now, onto other matters. How was such a young girl like you able to control such a powerful force as the Clow Cards, and in the end, transform them into your own?"
"What happened to my friends?" Sakura demanded.
Eli was annoyed, and let Sakura see so. "I'd prefer you answer my question first," he said moodily.
"I won't until you answer mine!" Sakura demanded. "Did you hurt them? What have you done with them?"
"They're fine," Eli replied absent-mindedly, his tone creeping onto one of extreme irritation.
From his hiding spot, Yui cringed at his Master's voice. [Is she mad?] he shook his head in puzzlement. [Master will be insane with fury! Nobody has dared to stand up against him! Then again,] he mused, [Kezoberos and I have been the only ones to have ever known him...hmm, for that matter---where is Kezoberos now, I wonder?]
}}} Kezoberos {{{
Back and forth, back and forth... The dark Guardian Beast paced back and forth restlessly in the garden of his Master's castle. (More menacing than a mansion, ne?) To call it a garden was a joke, he knew. The place had been neglected for years when he and Yui first came upon the castle and made it into his Master's headquarters. Scarcely a weed grew in this wasteland now, not with all the training he and Yui had gone through around here. And yet the Master didn't seem to mind the lack of vegetation.
But that was besides the point.
Kezoberos was worried. He had failed his Master twice---first up against that fool Keroberos, then trying to kill that black haired girl. Of course, in both instances, others had come to their aid, but the fact still remained that he had been defeated. That did not sit well on his shoulders or in the eyes of Master Eli. He shivered slightly and tried to shake off the thought of what Master may give to him as punishment. So far, he had received nothing, and that was lucky. But for how long?
Kezoberos continued his pacing around the garden.
}}} Touya {{{
Touya slept on peacefully despite all that was going on around him. He was under a spell, after all.
}}} Syaoran {{{
Syaoran, on the other hand, was tossing and turning uneasily. His mind was tormented by twisted nightmares, of Sakura being taken away, and the sky darkening to the color of ashes. He shuddered and started to sweat from the strain. "Sakura...come back..." he beseeched her.
~THE END~
f-teardrops: Yes! Chapter 5 is over! I did it!
Jamie: About time!
Lydia: I agree!
f-teardrops: _ Hey! Aren't you two supposed to be encouraging me here?
Jamie: Well, at least you got it out.
Lydia: Eventually.
f-teardrops: HEY!
Jamie & Lydia: What?
f-teardrops: *mutters under her breath* Fine, fine! See if I care! Wait until Chapter 6 comes out!
Jamie: And when will that be?
Lydia: Not another 10 day wait, I hope?
f-teardrops: Hey! I did say things were going to be SLOW, you know!
Jamie & Lydia: We know, we know.
f-teardrops: Hmph. Well, see you soon! (I hope.)
Jamie: Ya, you hope.
Lydia: *nods in agreement* But hoping pales next to...
Jamie: ACTION!
Lydia: AFFIRMATION!
Jamie: ASPIRATION!
Lydia: ACCOMPLISHMENT!
f-teardrops: AnNoYiNg MuSeS!!!
Jamie & Lydia: *glares at f-teardrops*
f-teardrops: :p Hehe.
~TO BE CONTINUED~
f-teardrops: Chapter 5!
Jamie: Finally!
Lydia: Yeah, that took forever!
f-teardrops: Um...yeah, it did... . But look on the bright side! At least it's out!
Jamie: Uh-huh...after 10 days!!!
Lydia: You should be ashamed of yourself! :(
f-teardrops: 8'( I'M SO VERY SORRY! GOMEN, GOMEN, GOMEN!!!
Lydia: Well, at least you apologized!
Jamie: That's a bit better!
f-teardrops: ^_^
Jamie: But it's also inaccurate. You should be crying. I mean, take a look at your screen name!
f-teardrops: 8'(
Lydia: Well, I'm Dark secrets, but I'm not evil.
Jamie: Hmm...good point! I'm lil anmei, but I'm not little, either!
f-teardrops: *beams* Oh yes! These are the ID's of my two best pals, Jamie and Lydia! They're in my favorite authors' list, too! Take a look, if you want!
Jamie & Lydia: *grins* We're famous! We're famous!
f-teardrops: I feel so much happier now! Thanks a lot for bearing with me, especially you, LQueenie! You're the most faithful reviewer of them all!
Jamie: Long live the Queen!
Lydia: Thank you, thank you, thank you!
f-teardrops: *bows deeply* You have my gratitude. And now...to start the story!
NOTES: Should I use Master Eriol or Eriol-sama? Which one do you guys prefer? Could you tell me, please? I would really appreciate it! ^O^ I'm sticking with Keroberos though, and not Cerberus, as then Kezoberos would have to be...Cerbezus? Cerbeezu? They both sound a little odd, in my opinion.
In addition, I've tried a different form of separating setting and people and so on. Using CAPS LOCK is a little too bold, in my opinion. ^~^;;
}}} Syaoran {{{
Voices.
That was all he could hear. Just so many endless voices---whispering together about something he couldn't figure out. They were too soft, too blurry...he strained to listen, to try to understand what was being said--- but it was too hard. Only snatches of conversation could reach his ears.
"---took her---and then---"
Syaoran recognized that voice. It was Tomoyo's.
"Who is this----why would he---thing?"
That was Yue.
"Clow Cards---magical powers---sealing---"
Keroberos, by no doubt.
"Meiling---home---excuses. But what---Syaoran---injured?" Tomoyo asked again.
"---only a bump---heal him---some of my---sleep"
[Who was that?] Syaoran thought to himself. [He sounds so familiar....but it can't be....Eriol? Here?] His head started to hurt then, and Syaoran stopped thinking to drift into peaceful slumber...
"Sakura..." he mumbled.
}}} The Bedroom {{{
"How is he doing?" Nakuru asked, gesturing to the prone figure of Syaoran on the bed. She had just entered the room with a tray full of sweets and snacks.
"Better," Spinel replied, glancing at the tray warily. "But not out of it yet." He glared at the cheerful guardian. "So don't you try anything, Nakuru. Master Eriol ordered that the boy was to be undisturbed."
"What were all those people talking about, Suppi?" Nakuru asked as she flopped into a chair by Spinel's side. "I couldn't hear anything down in the kitchen." She set the tray onto her lap and began to munch on a cookie. "Mmm...not bad! Want one, Suppi?"
"No, thank you," Spinel replied, glaring at her. "If you want to know what happened, then I suggest you listen."
"Ok." Nakuru nodded submissively enough. She swallowed the cookie. "So what's up, Suppi-chan?"
Spinel felt a nerve pop at that remark, but decided to ignore it. "Daidouji- san was telling Master Eriol what had happened," he explained between clenched teeth. "Apparently, they were attacked by another powerful sorcerer very much like Master and his two Guardians, Yui and Kezoberos. Apparently all three are dark reincarnations of Clow Reed, Yue, and Keroberos. We're lucky that most of his descendents are of the side of light."
"Mmm-hmm..." Nakuru nodded. "And then?"
"Master Eriol started to grow quieter as Keroberos and Yue started to chatter with each other about why this Eli person---that's our Master's look-alike---wanted the Clow Cards. Power was their first guess, but then revenge came into mind. He had been locked up for millennia, after all." Suppi paused for a bit to rest.
"Tea?" Nakuru offered smilingly and held up a teacup.
Suppi looked suspiciously at the cup and shook his head. "Ahem. At any rate, the conversation went back to Syaoran-san. (Hmm, that's weird) Master said that he would be alright---he only had a bruise on his head, nothing more. But apparently he's out cold, just like Touya-san."
"Touya?" Nakuru perked up. "What happened to him? I just left him, and he seemed normal enough."
Suppi sweatdropped. "He---ah---got too excited and Syaoran punched him."
"Well, I'm sure he'll be fine," Nakuru said airily. "At least they're all safe. Do they know about Mistress Sakura?" (Note: From what I've learned, Nakuru doesn't really seem to "love" Touya, but just hung around to take advantage of his powers. Sorry! And since Nakuru's not really a girl or a boy---or a human, for that matter---things could get somewhat complicated if they were to, you know, hook up...)
Spinel shook his head. "She was kidnapped by Eli. Nobody knows where she is- --her aura has all but disappeared with her, and the Clow---no, Sakura Cards, too."
"Well, that sucks!" Nakuru pouted.
"That's why Master is meeting with Keroberos and Yue now---to formulate a plan," Spinel said slowly. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to---"
"Hold on!" Nakuru cried. "You haven't tasted my cookies yet! They're my latest recipe, with a dash of something extra!"
"M-maybe later, Nakuru," Spinel said nervously as he flew out and backed away, only to be trapped by the closed door.
"Just one?" Nakuru persisted. Spinel opened his mouth to reply and in return received a cookie into his mouth. Nakuru happily worked his jaws up and down and made him eat it all. (Poor Spinel.) Crumbs scattered to the floor.
Spinel seemed to see stars spinning before him. He had tried to tell Nakuru no, but...now that he thought of it, the cookies didn't taste bad. Maybe he could est one more-or two---or why not just eat them all? His eyes glazed over. "More..." he sighed in bliss. "Give me more! Now!"
"Sure!" Nakuru giggled. "Have as much as you like! I put extra sugar into all of them!"
}}} The Library {{{
Tomoyo sat in a plush leather chair, her cut healed and the mysterious black journal in her lap. She had remembered to pick it up before Eriol had teleported them all to his mansion. There, he had quickly healed Keroberos and Yue. Yue had seemed despondent when he had recovered, but Keroberos was raring to go and anxious to save Sakura. It was Eriol who managed to calm him down and enlist their help---and those of his two Guardians---to help out Touya and Syaoran first. He had been reluctant to let Touya wake, and so had placed him under a sleeping spell, while all judged that it would be best to let Syaoran recover first before dealing with current issues. After all, they had just lost...Sakura.
Tomoyo sucked in her breath sharply and hugged the journal to her chest. She shut her eyes. If anyone were to see her like this now...
She felt so useless! Keroberos and Yue had sent her away, and then had gone into a room to have a private conversation with Eriol over current matters. Suppi was watching Syaoran, while Nakuru had a watch over Touya. Meiling had turned somber and taken the responsibility of calling everyone's families to make up excuses. Only her, Tomoyo, had nothing to do. All the cooking, cleaning, watching, caring, and worrying had all be taken care of by everyone else but her. She had asked to be with them at the meeting, but Eriol had gently informed her that it was private. She didn't want to disturb Touya or Syaoran, and she couldn't visit Meiling as she had shunned them all and left for a walk alone.
Sighing, Tomoyo went back to studying the black book. She had tried to wipe its cover clean, but no matter what she did, the words on it remained blurry and undecipherable, though she had figured out that the "E" she thought she had seen was actually a "h", not that it helped much. And there was still the matter of the tiny lock on its side. Nothing could break it apart---not a hammer or a lock-cutter or a screwdriver or her hands or a can opener or a long metal rod or a short metal rod or a wooden rod or etc. Tomoyo was beginning to wonder if the lock could be protected by magic. Perhaps it was.
[I wish you would open!] she thought at the lock. [What are you protecting?]
The lock, of course, didn't answer.
Exasperated and wrought with worry and exhaustion, Tomoyo flung the journal to the ground. It laid there as she stared at it, not moving.
Click!
The lock broke open. Tomoyo blinked, then brightened. She picked up the journal and inspected it. It was true. The lock was hanging off the journal, open and permanently damaged, by its looks. She smiled and went back to her chair.
}}} Discussions {{{
"What we need to do now," Keroberos said slowly. "Is to find Sakura and kill Eli and his accomplices." He was trying to keep calm, but a sinister growl lay under his tone.
"How do you plan to do that?" Eriol asked him quite pleasantly; seemingly oblivious to the fact that Keroberos rested his claws on his table.
"You tell me," Keroberos muttered. "You're the wizard."
Eriol smiled a small smile. "Very well, then. Even if we were able to find Sakura and her captors, how can we plan about defeating them? The last time you all face them it was a disaster. And even with my help," he added quickly, seeing a dangerous glint in Keroberos' eyes, "You would not be much better off. I have given most of my power to Sakura."
"Well, how about a rescue mission?" Keroberos persisted. "You are still strong, despite all you said. We could find my Mistress, take her from---"
"Impossible," Eriol shook his head. "Her aura is nowhere to be seen, and this is not to be done in your conditions, Keroberos and Yue. You have both just recovered from your wounds. Even with my magic, it will be some time before both of you are completely healed. Don't argue with me," he added menacingly as Keroberos was about to protest. "If either of you were to go into battle now, I doubt that you would both come back alive."
"Then what do you suggest?" Keroberos snarled.
Eriol sat back in his seat and replied. "We wait. And in the meanwhile, we try to find out more."
"THAT'S ALL YOU CAN THINK OF?!" Keroberos roared.
"That's all we can do at the present." Eriol whispered. "Unless you intend on seeking your Mistress by yourself?"
Keroberos grumbled, and backed away. "Fine," he sighed. "But I wish we could do something other than wait!" He turned and walked out the door.
Eriol looked after him emotionlessly, though pity was in his eyes. He then turned to face the silent white-haired angel (Yue, duh! ^_^) standing by the window. "And what do you have to say?" he asked him.
"About what?" the angel replied sullenly.
"This idea of mine," Eriol reminded him.
"I don't care either way." He said coolly.
There was a long pause.
"It wasn't your fault, Yue," Eriol said finally. "Nothing could have been done."
Silence greeted his remark. Finally there was a sigh, and Yue looked up to stare at him with his silver eyes. "I could have tried harder," he replied quietly. "I could have done something to save her."
"What could you have done?" Eriol asked him.
"I-I could have tried to trick Yui, or beat him. But I didn't! And I should have done! And now--" Yue choked back his gasp. "She's gone! I'm a terrible Guardian! I shouldn't have let her be captured!"
"Let her be captured?" Eriol repeated. "Yue, they were too powerful. There was nothing you could have done, even if you hadn't fainted."
"I'm weak." Yue muttered.
"No," Eriol said slowly. "Those two had centuries to train for their revenge. You were awakened only four years ago. You can't expect to be on the same level as them unless you train hard."
"How?" Yue looked up. "I don't have centuries to spare."
"But I do." Eriol said mysteriously.
"What do you mean?" Yue looked at him curiously.
Eriol just smiled. "You shall see," he assured him. "Believe in yourself, Yue, and anything can be done." He left the room.
Yue gazed after him thoughtfully.
}}} Realization {{{
"Stupid Eli!" the black haired girl growled as she punched her pillow. "Stupid, stupid stupid!" Around her room, various items were scattered on the floor, discarded in a wild tempest of fury and pain. Meiling growled in frustration and finally started to pull at the pillow, ripping it into shreds and scattering feathers everywhere. When all she had left was an empty pillow cover, the girl looked around for something else in the room to vent her rage on.
Her eyes landed on a round glass music box, and she stiffened. [Syaoran...] she thought to herself, and picked herself up from the floor. Gingerly she took the music box and placed it on her bed. [I remember this. You gave me it.] Her eyes softened, and her fury melted away. [I wish we had never known about the Clow Cards,] she sniffed. [They cause nothing but trouble! Every time Syaoran had his life in danger, it was because of those Cards!] Anger rushed through her and she was tempted to smash the music box onto the floor. In fact, Meiling felt herself picking up the box. Her mind was confused, caught in a haze of hate and muddled emotions. She saw herself throwing it, saw the music box come falling to the ground. It shattered into a million pieces.
[No.] her mind gasped. And then she was screaming it out loud. "No! No!" Crying, she bent down to pick up the pieces of the box, trying vainly to put them back together and in another way, put her life back together. Meiling gathered the glass pieces to herself, her arms and hands bleeding from cuts and gashes. "Are you pushing me away even n-now, Syaoran?" she growled, noticing the stinging cuts. "But you've never loved me, did you? I don't know if you've even liked me! From the start, all you had eyes on w- was that i-idiot Sakura! I hate you!"
The last three words hit her like a blow to the face. Meiling tensed up and froze to the spot. [No,] her mind thought miserably. [I don't hate you, Syaoran. I love you. Even if you love Sakura.] A tear slipped by unnoticed. [It's all because of everything that happened. Things are going by so fast! First we were both card captors, and then you fell in love with Sakura, and then I left for Hong Kong and you came back with that bear of yours from Sakura. And now...we're both back, but so is Eli!] Another tear slipped by. [It's not fair! It's not! You're always getting hurt, Syaoran, and I hate it! I don't want you to get hurt! I wish Sakura was back!] A third tear dropped. Meiling curled up and hugged her knees. "Oh Syaoran....I'm sorry." Meiling whispered, and began to cry.
}}}The Library{{{
Tomoyo was pouring over the journal's contents, wondering what it could be about. The pages were old and wrinkled with age, and written in some strange script. Yet that only intrigued Tomoyo all the more. She gingerly brushed past the pages, all a mystery to her, and stopped when she settled on a page with a sheet of folded paper thrust inside it. Curious, (who wouldn't be) Tomoyo opened the paper and found one sentence:
I have been waiting for you.
It was written in a small and delicate script, beautiful but not to the point of being tawdry. (Eh...why am I describing how people write? Must be bored.) But she was perplexed by why the paper and sentence were there in the first place. [Who are they for?] she mused. [Certainly not me...]
And then, there was a rush of air as all the windows in the library opened at once. Wind swept around Tomoyo, encircling her. Surprised, she stood up-- -and the journal clattered from her lap onto the floor. With her hand still clutching the paper, Tomoyo cried out. "Help!" she cried.
}}} In the Hallway {{{
Keroberos was sulking to himself as he walked amongst the hallways of Eriol's mansion. What he wished more than ever was to take action---to do something to help his Mistress. Instead, Eriol had advised them---no, ordered---to stay put and wait. Wait?! While his Mistress was in danger?! Keroberos was sure that Eriol was mad, and had wanted to lunge at his throat right there and then. But he had stopped himself. After all, the memory of Clow Reed was still embedded in his memory, and as Eriol was Clow Reed's reincarnation...
"Help!"
The voice of Tomoyo sliced through his thoughts, along with a faint sense of an unfamiliar lavender aura. [Wha--? She's in trouble!] Keroberos realized with a start. He spun around and crashed through the doors of the library, not bothering to open them or knock.
It was chaos inside. Tomoyo was trapped in the center of a cyclone, the windows were all wide open, and books were flying everywhere. "I'm coming!" Keroberos cried, dashing towards her.
"No, wait!" Tomoyo cried. "Don't get near!"
Keroberos stopped from sheer shock. "Uh, why not?" he blinked.
"I'll be back!" Tomoyo managed to cry out, before she...disappeared?!
"Tomoyo!" Keroberos roared. This was not good. But she was gone, and with it the swirling tempest of fury. The library settled down again, though the windows remained open, and all the books magically returned to their shelves. Well, all but one. Keroberos looked suspiciously at a black journal that laid very near to where Tomoyo had been standing. [Not good,] Keroberos thought to himself. [I sense magic in this thing.]
Suddenly, there was another gust of wind as Yue swooped in, his wings outstretched and his expression one of worry. Behind him came a curious Nakuru, holding a delirious Spinel in her hands.
"What happened?" Yue asked him matter-of-factly.
"I don't know." Keroberos replied.
"Then we'll have to find out." Eriol said as he appeared at the doorway, relatively calm. (As he always is.... :p)
}}} Tomoyo {{{
(Slight repercussion)
As Tomoyo finished her cry for aid, she felt an odd presence near her. "Who?" she cried, and turned to see no one. "What's this? I don't understand..."
[Don't worry, little one. All will be fine.]
Tomoyo nearly screamed from hearing this voice speaking in her mind. "I truly must be going insane..." she murmured, but she felt calm nevertheless.
[Listen to me. I need to speak with you. It is urgent.]
"What do you mean?"
[Please, just trust me. Make sure nobody is near you, or else this will not work. I will not harm you or your friends---I promise.]
"Well...okay." Tomoyo agreed reluctantly. She knew that listening to voices in your head was not a good idea, but this one sounded so...familiar? She decided that it couldn't hurt. After all, the voice only wanted to speak with her, right?
At that moment, Keroberos burst through the door, effectively shattering it with all his girth. "I'm coming!" he growled, dashing towards her.
The voice's warning rang through her head and she cried out. "No, wait!" she cried. "Don't get near!"
Keroberos stopped and stared at her in confusion. "Uh, why not?" he asked her, blinking and cocking his head.
Tomoyo felt herself being pulled away. Not really understanding what was happening, she called out again. "I'll be back!" she cried, trying to give Keroberos a sign of reassurance.
And then he disappeared, along with the floor, the ceiling, and the room, only to be replaced with a bright and blinding whiteness. Tomoyo's first thought was that she was looking at the sun, but that was silly. So she waited and looked around, hoping to see anyone or anything in this world of blankness.
[We are safe now,] the feminine voice replied again. [And now, I can speak to you in peace.]
"Who are you?" Tomoyo asked, utterly confused.
[Shh...don't worry, all will be made clear,] the voice seemed to be smiling as she made this remark. [Come with me.] A door appeared in thin air in front of Tomoyo, and not knowing what else to do, she opened it and walked through.
The sight before her shocked her.
}}} The Dungeons {{{
"Hello, Sakuya." (Yes, a repeat, to jog your memories!)
Sakura looked up, startled, as Dark and Light seemed to seethe with anger.
//Be careful, Sakura-sama,// Light warned her warily.
//Yes. We do not know what tricks this one has up his sleeve,// Dark hissed ever so softly.
"Well?" Eli looked at her expectantly. "Aren't you going to say anything?"
"I-I-I-Hoe?" Sakura settled on her favorite expression, and calmed down. "Let us out!" she demanded from behind the bars. "And I told you already, my name is SAKURA, not Sakuya."
"I see." Eli seemed amused. "How are you doing?"
"Why do you want to know?" Sakura regarded him suspiciously. "I don't think the comfort of your prisoners would be of any matter to you."
"Perhaps." Eli smiled, showing his teeth. (Watch out Sakura! Fangs!) "But you're the exception."
"How so?" Sakura demanded boldly, though she was quaking inside.
"I'll get to the point," Eli said quite calmly. "I admit, I am curious. How did you manage to obtain the Clow Cards?"
"I am a descendent of Clow Reed," Sakura said matter-of-factly, recalling Eli's boast. "A direct daughter, in fact, of his reincarnation."
"Eriol?" Eli raised an eyebrow. "I did not recall him to be quite so---"
"NO!" Sakura exploded, blushing. "I meant my father!"
"There is another reincarnation of him besides me and Eriol?" Eli sounded surprised.
"Well, yes!" Sakura cried, then blinked. "Uh, I mean no?"
Eli's smile grew broader. "I see. I'll have to keep that in mind, then." Sakura scowled. "Now, onto other matters. How was such a young girl like you able to control such a powerful force as the Clow Cards, and in the end, transform them into your own?"
"What happened to my friends?" Sakura demanded.
Eli was annoyed, and let Sakura see so. "I'd prefer you answer my question first," he said moodily.
"I won't until you answer mine!" Sakura demanded. "Did you hurt them? What have you done with them?"
"They're fine," Eli replied absent-mindedly, his tone creeping onto one of extreme irritation.
From his hiding spot, Yui cringed at his Master's voice. [Is she mad?] he shook his head in puzzlement. [Master will be insane with fury! Nobody has dared to stand up against him! Then again,] he mused, [Kezoberos and I have been the only ones to have ever known him...hmm, for that matter---where is Kezoberos now, I wonder?]
}}} Kezoberos {{{
Back and forth, back and forth... The dark Guardian Beast paced back and forth restlessly in the garden of his Master's castle. (More menacing than a mansion, ne?) To call it a garden was a joke, he knew. The place had been neglected for years when he and Yui first came upon the castle and made it into his Master's headquarters. Scarcely a weed grew in this wasteland now, not with all the training he and Yui had gone through around here. And yet the Master didn't seem to mind the lack of vegetation.
But that was besides the point.
Kezoberos was worried. He had failed his Master twice---first up against that fool Keroberos, then trying to kill that black haired girl. Of course, in both instances, others had come to their aid, but the fact still remained that he had been defeated. That did not sit well on his shoulders or in the eyes of Master Eli. He shivered slightly and tried to shake off the thought of what Master may give to him as punishment. So far, he had received nothing, and that was lucky. But for how long?
Kezoberos continued his pacing around the garden.
}}} Touya {{{
Touya slept on peacefully despite all that was going on around him. He was under a spell, after all.
}}} Syaoran {{{
Syaoran, on the other hand, was tossing and turning uneasily. His mind was tormented by twisted nightmares, of Sakura being taken away, and the sky darkening to the color of ashes. He shuddered and started to sweat from the strain. "Sakura...come back..." he beseeched her.
~THE END~
f-teardrops: Yes! Chapter 5 is over! I did it!
Jamie: About time!
Lydia: I agree!
f-teardrops: _ Hey! Aren't you two supposed to be encouraging me here?
Jamie: Well, at least you got it out.
Lydia: Eventually.
f-teardrops: HEY!
Jamie & Lydia: What?
f-teardrops: *mutters under her breath* Fine, fine! See if I care! Wait until Chapter 6 comes out!
Jamie: And when will that be?
Lydia: Not another 10 day wait, I hope?
f-teardrops: Hey! I did say things were going to be SLOW, you know!
Jamie & Lydia: We know, we know.
f-teardrops: Hmph. Well, see you soon! (I hope.)
Jamie: Ya, you hope.
Lydia: *nods in agreement* But hoping pales next to...
Jamie: ACTION!
Lydia: AFFIRMATION!
Jamie: ASPIRATION!
Lydia: ACCOMPLISHMENT!
f-teardrops: AnNoYiNg MuSeS!!!
Jamie & Lydia: *glares at f-teardrops*
f-teardrops: :p Hehe.
~TO BE CONTINUED~