AN: Hey! Ahhhhhhhh! Jumps up and down all excitedly You don't hate me anymore! Wipes tears of joy I actually got more reviews which means you don't hate me! I'm still so sorry for not updating sooner, so I'm putting up this one now. Sorry for the cliffhanger before, I did that without even realizing it. I was actually sitting here wondering why you people were saying you're going to kill me, and then I figured it out. But anyhow, thank you everyone, who reviewed, I appreciate it very much. So on with the story.
Disclaimer: I do not own CCS or any characters in this story. sigh, every single time I do this my heart breaks... do you people not care about my heart condition?
Always & Forever
Life, Angels and the Ball
Sakura woke up the next morning and found herself in a bed, covered with about fifty blankets. She knew she was no longer in her cold wet dress, but something warm and dry. She looked around to find Meilin sleeping in a chair and Tomoyo sleeping next to her with Kero sleeping on top of Tomoyo. She looked to her left and found herself facing dark sapphire eyes. She looked closely at Eriol's face and noticed the heavy bags under his eyes and the tiredness showing clearly on his face, plus the lines of worry. She tried to get up but winced and fell back in pain.
"Don't try to move, you're too weak to do anything," Eriol told her, his voice - like always, calm and reassuring. She nodded and closed her eyes again. But opened them a second later and looked around the room again. She saw all her friends except for one, the one person she wanted to see the most. She went through all of last night's actions; how she had been on deck when the storm hit, how Syaoran had helped her, how they got separated and when she went overboard - but that's it. She looked at Eriol with worried and confused eyes.
"Eriol, what happened?" She asked, her voice so small and shaken. Eriol sighed and his eyes seemed to grow dull.
"You went overboard - do you remember that?" He asked her and when she nodded he continued. "Syaoran went in after you and he saved you. He brought you close to the ship and I was able to levitate you up to safety and then Tomoyo and Meilin came and brought you inside. You were knocked out cold; they changed you and put you in bed. You were suffering from hypothermia, you were cold and shivering and it looked like you were having nightmares - which are totally understandable in your situation." He paused and wondered whether or not he should add in the part where she was just constantly calling out Syaoran's name; but thought against it because that would only embarrass her.
She looked at him, her eyes expecting more. Now that she had learned about what happened to her, she wanted to know where Syaoran was. She knew she didn't need to ask Eriol that because everything showed on her face. He sighed and closed his eyes, wondering if he could tell her while looking at her. He opened his eyes; he would even if it killed him. "Eriol?" she asked again, her voice full of expectancy.
"After I had brought you out of the water, I started lifting him out too. But another wave came and crashed him into the ship and I lost control because of the impact. He fell back into the water and," he paused and drew in another breath. He remembered what had happened clearly; he remembered Tomoyo asking and begging him not to go into the cold water, but he ignored her - for the first time - and jumped in after Syaoran. "I went in after him, but when I found him.it was too late." His voice had grown quiet and he looked at Sakura. He knew that the pain he felt was nothing compared to what she was feeling, just by looking at her face.
Sakura stared at Eriol's face, letting the words sink in. She felt the blood drain form her face; she started shaking her head very slowly. No, it can't be true; it just can't be, she thought to herself, tears filling her pain-filled eyes. "No," she whispered to Eriol. She couldn't believe this; they couldn't expect her to believe this. "Where is Syaoran?" She asked him. But before waiting for his reply, she searched for his aura but she couldn't find it.
"The next room," he told her, his voice still quiet. Sakura threw her sheets up and got up. Eriol stood up and reached out his hand, and she took it without hesitation. All that mattered was that she get to Syaoran. Eriol helped her out of her room and led her to the room where Syaoran was. When she saw him, she let go of Eriol's hand and walked herself wobbly over to his bed where he lay. She nearly tripped and Eriol went forward but stopped when she regain her balance and continued to walk. She would not stop till she got to him.
He lay on the bed and he looked like he was sleeping - but he wasn't. His face was white, too white for any person's face to be. She reached out and touched his hand and gasped at how cold his hand was. Again she searched for his aura but felt nothing, but she should have because he was right next to her. She felt the tears that she had held back before fall freely from her face. She didn't notice that Meilin, Tomoyo and Kero had awaken and were now standing at the doorway with Eriol staring at their friend. Tears filled their eyes and fell one by one down their cheeks as well.
Sakura held onto his hand, still not believing the fact that he was gone. He had died saving her life - which wasn't fair. "It's not fair!" She whispered furiously as she cried, her tears falling onto his clothes. She expected him to suddenly just wake up and smile at her, to tease her for believing something so fearfully foolish - but he didn't. He just lay there completely still and cold, his handsome face seemed waxy. "Please," she begged silently to him. The others stepped back into the hall, letting Sakura have her privacy, and because they couldn't watch anymore. Eriol hugged Tomoyo as Tomoyo clung onto him, crying. Eriol saw Meilin, crying silently and he pulled her into the hug as well.
"Please come back," Sakura whispered to him. She let her head rest on his chest, tears leaving dark marks on his clothes. "Please, I never got to tell you how I feel. Please Syaoran," she cried. She thought about her Sakura Cards, maybe there was a card that could bring him back, but she knew there wasn't. She cried harder at the fact knowing that she couldn't even bring him back when he saved her.
Suddenly a bright light filled the room and Sakura looked up to find a blinding white light in the middle of the room. The others noticed the light and looked into the room and like Sakura, had to shield their eyes. The light died down and Sakura opened her eyes and gasped. In front of her stood two figures and to be frank - they looked like angels.
One was a boy, and one was a girl. Both of them were wearing white and had white wings with fluffy white feathers looking soft enough to sleep on, and halos above their head. They smiled at Sakura, not saying a word and moved closer to her and Syaoran. Sakura saw their smiles disappear when they looked at Syaoran lying lifeless on the bed. Sakura felt another tear fall down her cheek and the girl angel saw and reached out and brushed it away. Sakura gasped because she could feel the touch, it wasn't cool - but warm. Yet at the same time, the touch hardly had any feeling - like a warm breeze that flew across her face.
"You're - Kari and T.K?" Sakura whispered as the two angels in front of her smiled. They said nothing to her but Kari went over to Syaoran, bent down and kissed his forehead. A white light suddenly filled through him and his eyelids began to flutter. He opened his eyes and the first thing he saw was an angel. She stared at him, her eyes full of concern, and her emerald eyes never seemed so bright. Beautiful, he thought. He sat up and that's when he noticed the other two people in the room - if you would call them people.
Sakura looked at the two angels and smiled softly at them. "Thank you," she said to them, her voice full of sincerity. T.K and Kari smiled at them and with a nod, the room filled with a bright light, blinding everyone again. When Syaoran opened his eyes again, they weren't there anymore. Sakura stared at him, her eyes wide in amazement and disbelief. "Syaoran?" She whispered to him. He gave her a confused look. What's going on? He thought. The next thing he knew, Sakura had flung herself on him, hugging him tightly. He felt his face turn red, and slowly he put his arms around her.
She moved away from him and stared at him, her eyes bright with tears. "Who was that?" He asked her. She smiled.
"T.K and Kari," she replied to him. He looked confused. The angels T.K and Kari? She nodded at him as if she could read his mind. "They brought you back to life," she said then she realized how pathetic her words sounded. "Uh." she started but luckily for her someone interrupted them.
"Syaoran!" Meilin screamed as she ran into the room and like Sakura flung herself on Syaoran. When she had let go, Tomoyo went over and she too hugged Syaoran, which shocked Syaoran. He and Tomoyo were friends, but he didn't think they were that close, but he just shrugged it off. When Tomoyo moved away, Syaoran came face to face with Eriol who didn't look the least bit bothered by Tomoyo hugging him. They both stared at each other, not one of them saying anything to each other. The girls exchanged confused looks wondering what was going on. It was as if they were somehow communicating to each other without speaking. Then the most amazing thing happened, both boys broke into smiles confusing the girls even more. But just as quickly as their smiles appeared they had disappeared and Syaoran's regular frown was on and Eriol's regular smirk.
After a moment of everyone speaking at the same time Sakura stood up and everyone looked at her. "Ok everyone, Syaoran needs his rest, we can all talk to him once he feels better," she said, starting to gently push the others out of the room.
"But Sakura, I feel - " Syaoran started but once he saw the look Sakura gave him he shut up. The others smiled to themselves and walked out without Sakura accompanying them. Sakura walked back to Syaoran and pulled his covers up to his neck. "You really don't have to do this," Syaoran told her. She looked at him and smiled softly.
"I know," she replied, "but I want to. You did after all save my life." She paused and stopped what she was doing and looked down. "Thank you," she said quietly and started putting more sheets on the bed.
"Uh, Sakura," Syaoran said in a muffled voice but Sakura didn't hear, she just continued to put more sheets on him. "Sakura!" He finally yelled loud enough for her to stop and realize what she was doing and when she looked over at Syaoran she gasped. She couldn't see him; he was buried layer after layer in sheets and was probably suffocating because of her. She quickly uncovered him to find his face red and gasping for air.
"Oh Syaoran!" She gasped out, taking off some of the covers. "I'm so sorry! I really didn't realize what I was doing. Gomen ne!" she apologized and kept apologizing even when he told her it was ok. Then he started laughing; Sakura gave him a confused look then pouted. She took up an extra pillow and because Syaoran was too busy laughing he didn't notice what she was doing until the felt he pillow whack him in the face. "Stop laughing at me!" she demanded but he continued to laugh.
"I'm not laughing at you," he told her, still laughing. She swung at him again but he saw it this time and pushed it away. "It's just that you're - you're taking this overboard. I'm all right now." Sakura looked at him in shock.
"Syaoran, you just died!" Sakura said and for no particular reason this time, she tried to hit him again with the pillow but he caught it and held onto it. She started pulling it away yelling at him, and he started pulling it towards him and he finally gave a good hard pull and because of the power, she fell right on top of him. Neither one of them said anything as they stared into each other's eyes. Sakura saw his liquid amber eyes soften and she felt herself getting lost into them.
A sleepy Kero had finally gotten up to find no one else in the room. He flew up and wondered if Sakura was there with the gaki. He flew, still sleepy into the room next door and what he saw completely woke him up. "GET OFF OF HER YOU GAKI!" He yelled at the top of his lungs. Sakura heard Kero's voice and scrambled off of Syaoran as Kero charged at him. Sakura stood in front of Kero making sure he didn't get to Syaoran.
"Kero, relax," Sakura told him, knowing that she was red and that Syaoran must be just as red as she was. She held the little flying bear in front of her. "Kero, Syaoran has to rest and you barging here like that yelling isn't going to help him." Kero gave her this helpless look and glared angrily at Syaoran who was in bed behind Sakura making faces at Kero. Kero tried to get at him again. "Kero," Sakura said in a warning voice making Kero stop.
"Fine, but I thought he was suppose to be dead." Kero muttered and Sakura felt her eyes widen.
"Kero!" She exclaimed. "That wasn't very nice! Syaoran is my friend and you should be happy that he's alive and well." She told him and once again Kero looked behind Sakura to find Syaoran grinning evilly at him. Kero once again glared at him and Sakura turned around and Syaoran put on an innocent look on his face. "Kero, you shouldn't even be flying around here, someone could have seen you." Kero didn't say anything but grumbled something that neither Sakura or Syaoran could hear; but Sakura was sure she didn't want to know what he said. He reminds me of Touya, she thought sweat dropping and suddenly a wave of homesickness came over her again. She sighed and took Kero back into the other room.
She came back into the room to find Syaoran asleep with a smile on his face. She pulled up a chair next to the bed and sat there, just staring at him.
The next few days Sakura never left Syaoran's side until he was able to get up out of bed and walk around by himself. He had personally liked her company and spending all the extra time with her, but he had to get his thoughts right. The five friends (and Kero who was hiding in Sakura's backpack along with the Sakura Cards) were having their last dinner together on the ship; they were to reach Yukito's Kingdom by the morning. Sakura kept passing bits and pieces of her food into the bag and every now and then they would hear Kero scream out "oh yeah!" or "this is delicious".
Sakura awoke the next morning with the sunlight blinding her momentarily. She opened her eyes and excitement flooded through her as she realized that they were probably in the Yukito Kingdom. She jumped out of bed and hurried off to get dressed; and when she was finished someone knocked on her door and there stood Tomoyo already dressed in her red gown.
"Ohayo Sakura," she said cheerfully as she walked in.
"Good morning," Sakura replied as she packed up the rest of her stuff. "Are we there yet?" She asked, sounding like an excited little kid. Tomoyo couldn't help but smile and nodded. It's good to see her happy again, especially since it's because of Syaoran, Tomoyo thought happily.
"We're suppose to have all of our stuff packed - but it looks like you've already done that," she started, "and we're suppose to meet out in a few minutes." Sakura nodded and soon both girls were waiting with their luggage on deck. They both watched as they came closer and closer to land and when Sakura saw Yukito's castle she gasped. Even from this far away from it, it was already so huge. By then the rest of the gang had met and when they came off the boat Syaoran and Eriol led.
"How do we get there?" Sakura asked, her bag had become a little bit heavier and she didn't want to walk all the way to the castle; it would take such a long time and she would be exhausted and tired, plus she was wearing a dress.
"Don't worry, no walking this time," Eriol told her and she sighed out in relief. "Why walk when we can use transportation?" And just then a carriage came and stopped right in front of them. The girls squealed in delight as the driver took their stuff while the guys opened the doors to let the girls go in. "After you milady," Eriol told Tomoyo as she blushed a slight pink.
"Arigatou Eriol-kun," she told him as she stepped inside. Tomoyo and Eriol sat on one side and Sakura, Syaoran and Meilin sat on the other side. Sakura stared outside her window totally oblivious to what was going on inside the carriage, gasping and grinning at everything she saw.
"So," Meilin whispered to Syaoran. He looked at her, eyebrows up.
"So what?" He asked back. Meilin rolled her eyes at him, feeling a bit annoyed.
"Did you tell her yet?" She asked looking in Sakura's direction who was too busy trying to watch everything. Syaoran sighed and shook his head and Meilin gave him a look. "Li Syaoran! You almost - wait, let me rephrase that. You died a few days ago and luckily you were brought back to life. Take this chance to tell her!" Meilin fumed. He gave her a death stare and for a moment she wanted to shrink back but she never let her gaze falter. (AN: Woohoo! Go Meilin!) "If you don't tell her by the end of tonight, then I will." She said hastily and turned and stared out of her side of the window. (AN: Syaoran is sitting between both girls if you didn't know).
He closed his eyes tight and tried very hard not to pull his hair out in frustration. Girls, why do they have to be so difficult? He thought. He sighed again. At least I have till the end of tonight.he thought gloomily, hoping that night won't come anytime soon.
"Look at them! They're so kawaii!" Tomoyo once again whispered to Eriol, starting to get excited already. "Ouuu, I can't wait till tonight!"
"Quiet or they'll figure out something!" Eriol hushed Tomoyo, but she just waved it off.
"No way. Sakura's too busy staring at the scenery hoping to see everything," She looked at her friend, "and Syaoran's too busy with his own thoughts and staring at his cherry blossom and it's ok if Meilin knows." She said as-a-matter-of-fact. They talked for a bit more about their plan until the carriage stopped.
Sakura's head snapped up to watch her friends. "We're here," Syaoran said and the driver came and opened the doors for them. Sakura came out and gasped. She couldn't believe how huge and beautiful the castle was. Sakura started getting more nervous. There's going to be so many people.she thought nervously. They made their way up the castle and there standing at the large doors was a very tall man white/gray hair and large glasses. He saw them and waved politely as they approached him. Syaoran and Eriol bowed and Tomoyo, Meilin and Sakura curtseyed.
"Welcome Li Syaoran," the man said. "I've heard that you were going to be visiting."
"Ohayo. I was wondering if you can grant me a favor." Syaoran asked and the man nodded. "I was wondering if my friends and I may stay for the night." The man smiled brightly.
"Of course!" he exclaimed, absolutely delighted. "Good, you'll be staying for the ball!" then he noticed Sakura and smiled warmly at her. "You have a new companion. I've never seen her around you guys when you visited before. Who might you be?" he asked.
"Kinomoto Sakura," she replied meekly. For some reason when she saw him he reminded her of Touya, a much kinder Touya of course.
"Nice to meet you, Sakura," he said and bowed again. "I am Prince Yukito, welcome to my Kingdom. I hope that you enjoy staying here." So that's who he is, Sakura thought. Well, it makes sense, greeting his guests. Syaoran looked back and forth from Yukito and Sakura and started fuming while his other friends had noticed and started giggling to themselves well not Eriol, Eriol just does not giggle (AN: shrugs it must be a guy thing).
"Yukito," Meilin said, "can we go to our rooms now? We really are quite tired form our long journey and we have to get ready and be prepared for your glorious ball tonight." Meilin asked hastily, Yukito smiled and nodded not minding one bit; then a whole bunch of servants took their stuff. When one came to Sakura she shook her head stubbornly.
"That's alright, I'll carry my own stuff, it's really quite heavy and I don't want it to be an inconvenience for you." She told the servant, who just stood there looking at her strangely for a moment, then smiled and left. Syaoran smiled and shook his head as he followed the others to were their room would be.
"See you later tonight," Yuki yelled to them as they entered the castle. Their rooms ended being next to each other (AN: nah, really?). Sakura stepped into her room and noticed something strange immediately; everyone in the room was completely green. She like the look though (AN: wonder why. hehehe) and as she was looking around she heard a cough coming from in front of her door and spun around to find Syaoran looking down, uncomfortable.
"Hello Syaoran," she greeted him. "Can I help you with something?" (AN: Damn, she sounds so formal.)
"Uh, Sakura, do you mind if we switched rooms?" he asked and beckoned for her to follow him. His room was to the right of hers and when she saw his room she had to laugh. His room was completely pink; no wonder he wants to change rooms. She did like the color pink (AN: go figure) but.
"Actually," she started. "I really like the room I have. Green's a great color, one of my favorite colors (AN: really? I haven't noticed. ok, I'll try to cut back on the sarcasm). Is it ok if I keep the green room?" she asked politely. Syaoran looked at her hopeful face and couldn't tell her no. He sighed and shook his head. She smiled brightly and thanked him then left his room.
Meilin passed by Sakura and saw a look on her face that seemed - smug. She passed by Sakura's room and Syaoran and his room and saw him getting angry. She saw his room and laughed at him. "My, I never knew you liked the color pink.oh but wait - that's right. Sakura's favorite color is pink." Syaoran glared at her and shut the door right in her face. She stood there with her mouth open as anger started to flow through her veins. "Fine! You'll regret that Syaoran!" she yelled and marched and bumped into Tomoyo and Eriol.
"Hey Meilin, what's up?" Tomoyo asked then she saw the angry look on Meilin's face. "What's wrong?" She asked.
"Fine," Meilin replied angrily.
"I didn't ask how you were," Tomoyo commented.
"Oh! Syaoran is such a pain! He's always mean and glaring at everyone, we can't even say anything to him; but then when Sakura's around he goes all googoo gaga. It's so annoying that he can't even tell her that he loves her!" She blurted out; then she noticed the looks on Eriol and Tomoyo's faces. "What?" She asked suspiciously as the smug looks on their faces turned evil. They quietly whispered something to her and she felt her anger fade away and she smiled just as evilly as they did. "You guys - this is perfect! How did you come up with it?" she asked.
"All Tomoyo's idea," Eriol commented as she beamed proudly.
"Hey guys," Sakura's voice chirped in. All three of them turned to face her quickly, hoping that she didn't hear anything. "What are you talking about?"
"Um, how - when did you get here?" Tomoyo asked in a stuttering voice.
"Oh, I just got here," Sakura replied, and they all sighed in relief, then a look came across her face. "Am I interrupting something? If I am, then I'll just leave," she told them.
"No, no that's all right Sakura," Eriol told her and her face brightened immediately.
"We were just talking about." Meilin paused.
"What you're going to wear tonight!" Tomoyo exclaimed and they all sweat dropped. "Come on ladies, to Sakura's room!" and she started pushing them into Sakura's room. Eriol heard Sakura complaining and Tomoyo asking her if that was all the dresses she had. Eriol chuckled to himself, and then he turned and went downstairs to get the plan started.
"Come on, Sakura!" Tomoyo yelled at the top of her lungs.
"No! I'm not coming out!" Sakura yelled back as Tomoyo started pounding on her door.
"Why not?" Tomoyo yelled once again this time in disbelief shock.
"Because I didn't even know it was a costume party and I look and feel absolutely foolish in this costume!" She yelled back in reply. Tomoyo stopped hitting her hand against the door and sighed. Then she got an idea and ran quickly into her room and started tossing clothes here and there until she found what she was looking for. She grabbed the piece of clothing and ran back to Sakura's room and started pounding again.
"Sakura! Open up, I've got a new costume for you! Try it on and if you don't like it then you don't have to wear it!" Tomoyo yelled crossing her fingers as well. "Hurry up! We're already late!"
Sakura opened the door and Tomoyo stuffed the clothing into the little space. She waited for a few minutes, anxiously tapping her foot on the floor. "Sakura!" Tomoyo yelled impatiently and she heard the door open. She turned around and froze. "Oh Sakura," she gasped. "Wow, Syaoran's eyes are gonna fall out!" She squealed and grabbed a blushing Sakura's hand and dragged her into the main hall.
AN: There's another chapter done. So what'd you think? Now honestly, do you think I'd actually let Syaoran die and leave him dead? I couldn't possibly do that to poor Sakura and Syaoran-lovers. Sorry if it's not as long as you hope it'd be, but the next chappie will hopefully be better shrugs who knows, maybe something exciting? I'm open to all comments and views and any way to make this story better. please and thank you!