I'M SO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I forgot just how much I loved getting
reviews from you guys! I am EXTREMELY sorry about not up-dating more soon,
but Oh well, that's in the past now, right? I was SO mad though when they
changed fanfiction because I had to up-date my computer and everything and
I still don't know how it FINALLY just started to let me log in and up-date
YESTERDAY! Urgh! Well, I can't WAIT for this chapter! It's going to be MUCH
better and SO much more fun to write! ::rubs hands together with a weird
glint in her eyes:: BWA HA HA HA HA!!!! And guess what else? When I
actually FINISH a story, I'm going to attempt a humor/romance story that
will be GREAT! So, I think I'll start the chapter now. Hope ya like it!
^_____^
Disclaimer: *whines* Do I HAVE to do these? I do?!? But I don't wanna! No! I refuse. WHAT?!? Really? Are you pulling my leg? You're serious? BUT I DON'T WANT TO GET SUED!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fine! Be that way. Idon'townCCSsogoandbothersomeoneelseforachangeandleavemealone. ::blows raspberry:: ON WITH THE CHAPTER!
Thanks to.
Silverwing
aleris
Amber Dream
Wings of Fire
Cev
Akane
cutiecaptor
Madison Hammack
Little Blossom
KuteSakura
Glarie
Sexychick
chibidragon
deb
cherrytree
Saiera
Kittyangel
Chibi Chibi Sakura
silverfang
odango
SakumaRyuichi
Mystical-Grace
wenxuan-chan
shazaoblossom
Angel
SpringbloomOpal
KrystalKat390
Joey
Fantasy
SakuraJade
macaroni-cheeze
Kim
MercuryGoddess
FlameSolo
The Dark Shadow Mystress
Silex
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR o_O (WOW!)
After dance and manners, which we still haven't had any lessons on manners so I don't know why I call it that, I went to Legends and Tales with Syaoran, still as bright as a tomato. I found Hinruku waiting for me by my desk, a smile planted on his face.
"So, are you ready to tell everyone about what you read?" He seemed apprehensive, like he wanted to tell the class this magnificent secret that everyone should already know.
"Uh.I guess," I stated, sweat drops appearing all over my head.
"Alright class, settle down," Miss Mizuki stated calmly to the nervous chatter that filled the room. Automatically everyone took their seats and waited patiently for further instructions. "I will call up the partners of two, and each-by turn- will tell us what you found out so far." A few groans could be heard of the student who forgot to study or else hoped it wouldn't be due too soon. The first people she called up to the front of the class were Eriol and Tomoyo.
"What we found out so far is that even in the depths of the world of tragedies, hope still shines through. All you have to do is believe," Tomoyo stated calmly and serenely. I admired her strength of being able to talk to a whole class like that. I hoped that I'd be that calm!
"Yes," Eriol continued. "This tale was about a helplessly lost being, whom has lived through so many tragedies that all he can feel is despair. This young man would walk until he found the meaning of life, but he could never find it. What he did find was loss, sadness, anger. and despair."
Tomoyo nodded unconsciously. "Then, one day, he was encountered by an unearthly being. She was the most beautiful thing the man had ever seen. One day, when he just about gave up, she appeared before him and offered him something he could never have dreamed of, happiness, love, and hope," Tomoyo commented. Then she smiled. "And what this tale is trying to get through to everyone out there, is that even though life may be filled with toils and tragedies, hope will only be a couple of steps behind."
Everyone clapped, and Eriol and Tomoyo both bowed to the class.
"Thank you very much. You two may be seated now," Miss Mizuki stated. "Now will Syaoran and Meiling please come up and tell us about Love and Loss?"
Meiling stomped up to the front of the classroom with a determined look on her face and Syaoran looked thoroughly bored, yet almost sad. "Love and Loss is about a couple that cares about each other very deeply. They are soul mates, and are connected. Then, one day, the man falls ill and dies. His wife feels so much remorse that she stops talking and wants to die just to be with the one she loves." Syaoran looked pointedly at Meiling for her to continue.
"She vows never to love another being as long as she lives," Meiling said, her eyes showing a sudden sadness of emotion that no one had ever seen before. "She can only think about him, worry about him, and imagine what would have happened if he lived a little longer. Her husband comes to her one night, and asks her to let him go. He tells her to move on, and that she would die if she kept torturing herself."
"She can't see herself loving anyone else but him, and he feels horrible for putting her through this. Finally, one night, he talks her into letting him go. She still loves him and cares for him, but this time she also mended her broken heart, and learned that with love, came loss."
Miss Mizuki smiled. "Thank you Syaoran, Meiling." They both bowed, following the example of Tomoyo and Eriol, and then went back to their seats. For some unknown reason, I was very close to tears.
"Next up is." Miss Mizuki scanned her list, "Sakura and Hinruku, with the Legend of the Stone Heart."
I gulped, hoping I wouldn't have to go too soon. Well, that was out of the question. My body must have been shaking all over as I slowly stood up. Why did there have to be oral presentations?
"Don't worry, you'll be fine," Tomoyo whispered from my right.
I inhaled a deep breath and nodded, hoping she would be right. It was a good thing Hinruku has to talk first. He read the first book, I read the second.
I made my way to the front of the class and looked over at everyone, feeling heat creep up onto my cheeks. I hated talking in front of so many people! 'Look at the floor, look at Tomoyo, just don't look at THEM!' I tried to scold myself. I dropped my gaze to the floor. It was better than nothing. Then I heard Hinruku's voice and calmed down a little. Hopefully, if I acted like I was only talking to my friends, it wouldn't be so bad.
"The Legend of the Stone Heart begins with a heartless prince who didn't love anyone. All his life he would glare at his subjects and wouldn't ever bother with the ladies of the court. Why should he? They were all fake people, acting like they were someone or something they were not. The thing is, this heartless soul has magic, and deep down, he really isn't heartless at all. When he meets a fair Princess, she realizes this, but it isn't until later that they become friends. He overheard her talking one day and knows that she also posesses magic, and that she has the cards, that were supposed to belong in his family, and not hers."
My head snapped up when I heard that. 'Wha? What?!? How.does he know all of this? Is it really in that book he read? What is going on? It sounds so familiar! TOO familiar!' I stared at Hinruku through wide eyes, but he was looking out over the class who were paying keen attention. I exhaled, maybe I was imagining things. Maybe it was nothing at all. Deep down, I knew I was kidding myself.
"Then, the inevitable happens, they become friends. And as they get closer and closer, their friendship becomes stronger and stronger." He looked at me. I guess that that meant that that's where the first book left off. It was my turn. But.what.why did this sound so familiar?
"In the second book, after they become friends, they realize that they like each other more than they thought. They become closer because they are allies in strength and power. Their lives are basically in each other's hands. But then, they're enemy approaches. A person full of dark and evil purposes. He harms them, but for some reason, he doesn't want them to get hurt. It's a mystery.what does he want? Is he a friend or foe? But then.the worst part of all comes. a man full of evil and dark magic. He wants them dead, and so the mystery guy reveals himself when the girl gets hurt. He begs for their forgiveness, and asks as much as offers his help."
From the look on everyone's faces I could tell that they wanted me to continue. I was so caught up in the story and the feelings of the story, that it just hit me. I said all of that to the class, in front of tons of people, and I didn't falter once because I was so preoccupied. I felt heat rise up on my cheeks and then realized once again they wanted to hear more. I hung my head and mumbled, "That's where the second book ends. I don't know how many books there are, but the pictures are wonderful."
A few people mumbled under their breaths. Everyone seemed disappointed, especially Naoko. We both walked back to our seats and waited for Sumiki and Roshiku to give their orals. Dark and Pure; Justice For All, seemed interesting. It also had a familiar ring to it. Have I read these before, or happen to know what they are about? It was strange, very strange.
After everyone in the class had their turn, Mrs. Mizuki called for our attention. "Alright students, the reason why I wanted all of you to look up these legends and tales is because we will begin starting to learn about them next class period. Out of all of the ones I have selected, I think the one I have chosen will displease no one. The Legend of the Stone Heart shall be what we will be reviewing. You may check the books from the library, but please, there is only one copy of each book and we will need them for class so if I need it, you will have to hand them over. Understood?"
We all cheered and nodded our heads in consent so she knew that we understood. I was really glad that we would be learning about this one. But right as she said it a shiver ran down my back. It gave me goosebumps, and I didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
After legends and tales our last class was Nature's Song. As we practiced singing the songs for the festival I couldn't help but get excited. Tomoyo kept adding feverently that she was almost done with our dresses for the festival and the ball. I, of course, just sweat dropped.
At dinner I couldn't help but to keep glancing in Syaoran's direction. I still didn't know why or how he got hurt. I was worried about him. One time I was staring at him for so long that the attention drew his eyes to mine. I gulped and blushed, then hurriedly looked away. I pretended to be eating and listening intently to the conversation around me, but I felt his gaze on the side of my face. I snuck a quick peek in his direction and froze when we made eye contact. He gave me the tiniest reassuring smile that I almost didn't see it, and then he went back to his dinner. I also turned back to mine, my face as bright as a ripe tomato.
"Sakura. aren't you coming?" A gentle voice asked, barely hiding her amusement.
"What? Huh? Oh.yeah." I glanced around me to see that everyone was getting up, and most people had already left.
"Dinner is over, Sakura." Tomoyo looked at me with a little concern in her eyes. "Are you feeling alright?"
I gave her a wavering smile and sweat dropped. "Of course. I was just daydreaming, that's all."
She turned her smile into a sly one. "About Syaoran?" She whispered so that only I could hear.
"Tomoyo!" I exclaimed, my eyes flicking to the spot where he sat at the table. The spot that was now empty. I searched the room and looked to the people that were flocked at the doors. Finally I saw a flicker of a green aura and a mass of brown hair. I sighed and glanced around me. Now I had to make a quick exit.
"Are you coming to the room or aren't you?" Tomoyo asked, as if she knew my plan all along.
I tried to act calm and relaxed, which was everything I WASN'T feeling. I gave a careless shrug and said, "Actually, I have something that I need to do. I'll be up in a bit."
Tomoyo gave a small smile and a knowing glance, which I missed completely, and watched as I fled for the large doors that went out into the great hall. The doors which Syaoran just left through.
I turned my head this way and that, but I no longer saw him. How was I supposed to find him in such a massive crowd? I closed my eyes and tried to drown out the noise and the pushing and shoving. Finally I sensed his aura. It was hard, but I did it. I followed it blindly at first, until I knew I was on the right trail, then my eyes snapped open and I headed up the stairs to the third level. When no one was around I started running. I didn't know where his room was and I most certainly did NOT want to have to knock on his door.
When I sensed his aura getting nearer I started to slow down. As I turned one of the corners to the left I spotted him. He seemed about to run into the wall when he stopped short, then turned in my direction. He must have sensed my aura.
"What do you want?" He asked, his eyes inquiring.
"I-I was just w-wondering.why you were hurt."
His eyes narrowed into a glare and he looked away. "If I did happen to get hurt, it's nothing I can't handle. If I did get hurt.it's none of YOUR business!"
I gasped and took a backwards step. The moment the words came out I knew he was sorry. I looked away, feeling my eyes start to sting. I told myself it was silly to cry over a petty thing like that. It wasn't too hard to hold back the tears.
"I was just worried," I managed to say as I hung my head. I squeezed my eyes shut tight. "Never mind." I turned and ran, but I didn't get far. He caught my wrist in a tight grasp and I tried desperately to get free, but he never wavered.
"Sakura-stop! I'm sorry," he mumbled.
I stopped trying to get free, but I still wouldn't look in his direction. He gave a tug on my wrist and I stumbled toward him. "Syaoran.what's wrong?" I asked finally.
He sighed a long, drawn out breath of air. "It's.everything!" he said at last, and I could tell this had been on his chest for a while now. "It's how the other Princes think that I'm going to take away their girlfriends or their betrothed or what not, and I don't care for them one way or another! It's how all the Princesses hang all over me, and won't even try to get to know me. They don't care about that! They won't listen and they don't care how I feel! It's how ONE -" he cut himself off, and I looked up at him. He looked down at me and I could feel my heart beating rapidly. "It's how one person, who doesn't care about looks, who puts others before her, and who is herself, that frightens me most of all. She changed me.for the better I suppose. She's my friend, and I'm confused on how she has this affect on me."
After a long treacherous silence I said the only thing that came to mind, hypnotized by his soft amber eyes. I gulped. "Oh."
He shook his head as if coming out of a daze and turned red. "Uh, I-I better go." He hurriedly turned and headed once again toward the wall, then stopped. He looked back at me helplessly, and all I could do was stare.
"Syaoran." I started. 'Who could this person he was talking about be? And why was he red all of a sudden? He cared about someone, but who? It was nice that we both had someone to care about, but those words were so sincere. They came from the bottom of his heart. He really did care, deep down, and I always knew that. But if I liked Yukito, and he liked someone else, then why did it hurt so bad to know that? Why did it feel like my heart had turned to ice, and shattered.
*****Syaoran*****
I can't believe it. How could I have said something like that? Worst off, how could I have said it to her? The one I care for most? Why, why, why, why, why?!?
I hurried away from her, not wanting to hear what she had to say. I headed to the curtain by the wall and realized I was trapped. I couldn't go to my room or she'd know where it was. I was stuck here.with her.and the words that were still lingering in the air. I looked back at her, helplessly, praying that she would leave. I didn't want her to say she didn't feel the same, but then again, maybe she didn't even know what or who I was talking about.
"Syaoran." She started to say, but never finished her thought.
"You don't have to say anything."
She sighed, and almost looked hurt, but why? She didn't feel the same, did she? She couldn't.
"Don't worry," she stated at last. She was looking at the ground with watery eyes. "One day she'll find out you care about her, and everything will be fine. I'm sure she feels the same. If you think that highly of her, I'm sure that she must be very nice in deed. You don't need to get upset over this. It's Meiling, isn't it?" I stared at her like she was crazy, but she didn't see my expression, only the floor. Did she really not know? "I know that she really is nice deep down, despite what everybody else thinks. It isn't rare that families marry-"
"Sakura, stop." She slowly looked up at me. "It isn't Meiling."
She looked confused now. "Then who-" she stopped herself before the question got out, probably not wanting to be rude, but I silently thanked her for it. Now wasn't the right time. I didn't know when it would be, but it wasn't right now.
"There's something else," I stated, glad to be on another subject.
"What?" She asked, and I could tell she was really listening to me, not just pretending like most of the other Princesses did.
"You know that legend you had to look up for class today?" She nodded. "Doesn't it sound. familiar?"
She thought about it for a while. "Yeah, I guess, but what does that have to do with-"
"Think about it Sakura. I don't trust that so-called teacher Ms. Mizuki, and she had YOU read that legend, and YOU happen to have magic, like the girl in the story."
"Syaoran, it was probably mere coincidence. Besides, I don't even look like the girl on the cover!"
"That doesn't matter. It was written long ago, they didn't know what you would look like."
"So you think I'm in danger?" I asked skeptically, crossing my arms.
"Well.yes."
"Syaoran, tell me ONE thing that happened in that legend that's true."
I opened my mouth, thought about it for a while, and knew that our friendship wouldn't be enough to convince her, so I closed it again. I couldn't tell her that I was falling in love with her! I mean, that was out of the question! I still can't believe I'm starting to just accept it now! I narrowed my brows into a frown and opened my mouth to try to convince her any way but those two when the floor suddenly caved in.
"What's happening?!?" Sakura yelled frantically.
"I-don't-know!" I said in-between breaths. The floor was a sticky, gooey mess, like putty. "Is this happening in the whole castle?!?"
"How am I supposed to answer that? I in the same room as you, aren't I?"
I looked over at her and realized that she was up to her shoulders in this stuff. I was to my chest, and I didn't even realize it until now.
"Are we going to suffocate?!?" Sakura asked frantically.
I felt my blood run cold. I didn't want to even think about dying. I gritted my teeth and moved as close to my little cherry blossom as I could. "Give me your hand!"
I reached out for her as her hand came out of the mass of blubber. We were pretty far apart, but after forcing ourselves, our hands found each other. We held on firmly, not wanting to think about what would happen if we let go.
She went under first, the gooey mush up to my ears. "SAKURA!" I yelled, fright gripping my heart in a strong wrench. Then it moved over my face. Either that or I sunk down into it. I held my breath, trying to think. I couldn't use lightning, or it would fry both of us. Fire would burn us, water wouldn't help but to drown us, would wind work? Worth a try! I have to save Sakura!
'Wind!' I called out in my thoughts, 'Come to my aid!' I felt the pendant grow into a sword, and it was then that I realized Sakura was still holding on to my hand. There was hope yet. A gust of wind formed a bubble around us and I could finally see Sakura's face. We both gasped for air, but the bubble started to shrink once again.
"Syaoran!" Sakura yelled.
"Save your breath! Think Sakura! You can do this!" I gasped for one more breath right before it took me.
"I will not let you interfere little wolf." I heard the voice in my ears as much as in my thoughts. I felt the sword shrink into a pendant and it was then that I knew I couldn't do anything. 'Who are you?' I growled in my thoughts. "You will find out soon enough," came the reply. 'Why do you endanger Sakura?!?' He laughed at this question, making me grit my teeth. "I don't. Not truly"
I was slowly about ready to drift into unconsciousness from lack of air when I felt the mass of muck slowly thin out, enough for me to open my eyes. I could breath again! The stuff disappeared and I saw Sakura standing there with a smile on her face.
"I did it!" She yelled excitedly. She laughed and grabbed my other hand in hers, then I noticed she had the staff in it. "I turned the Erase card into a Sakura card and erased all that gooey slimy stuff! Isn't that great?!?"
I gave a small smile despite myself. "Yeah, that's great. The only thing that bothers me is that we don't know who is doing this to you. And why? There also is one TINY little thing that sort of freaks me out." I added dryly, glancing around the place.
"What?"
"WHERE ARE WE?!?"
Sakura looked around and gasped. Everything around us was a grayish mist. We weren't back at the palace in the corridor like we were a few moments before. We had to be in some other vortex or place or SOMEthing! Who knew where we were?
"Syaoran, I already used up a lot of my strength the other day and today with changing the cards. I didn't tell you, but last night I also transformed the Dash and Power. Now what?"
"Sakura!" I lectured. "You aren't supposed to use your powers so much! It wares you out, and you know it!"
She looked guiltily down at the ground. "Wait a second! This has to be some kind of illusion! We're on the ground, but it's a stone floor! Like at your castle! If I can cut my way through this time warp thingy, then maybe we can get out of here!"
"Sakura," I said in a warning voice.
"Don't worry. I already transformed the Sword card, so it won't be using my strength. Sword Card! Release and dispel! Sword!"
Her staff turned into a sword, and I once again looked down at my pendant. I would have been able to help her in any other circumstances. Why couldn't I now? And who was that guy I heard? One thing was for sure. I did not like him one bit!
She slashed at the gray mists but nothing happened. She only came in contact with air. She looked for a moment like she was utterly panicked, but she gathered her strength and tried again in a different spot. Nothing happened.
"S-S-Syaoran?" She whimpered, looking in my direction.
I clenched my hands into fists. At the moment I didn't care if that stupid guy didn't want me to help. I was going to, and that was that! I didn't like feeling helpless. I concentrated my will and magic to turn the pendant once again into a sword and was surprised when I found out how easy it was. I waited a while to see if it would go back and when it didn't I grinned triumphantly.
"Lightning! Come to my aid!" I shouted. Lightning stretched out, and it seemed to make a black hole in the gray mists. It seemed like a black cloud though, not a gap in which we could escape by. "Fire!" I shouted, fed up with this little charade. The fire did the same thing, a clog of black smoke in the sky where I pointed it.
"My turn," Sakura stated, not ready to give up. "I call upon the power of my star, ancient forces near and far. Clow Card change with all your might, and draw your power.from my light! Watery!"
"Sakura!" I exclaimed. It was too late though. The card was already starting to change. She didn't have the strength to have yet another card draw from her power. She was too weak already as it was.
"Watery! Try to break a hole in this dimension! Watery!"
Watery sprang out of her card and shot toward the gray mists. She only created another black obis though, that happened to not be a way out, or the place where we wanted to go. She came back and transferred back into card form, a look of defeat on her face.
"It.didn't work," came Sakura's breathy reply, looking worried and too weak to find a way out of here. "Are we going to be stuck here.for.forever?"
Suddenly the whole area filled with deep, evil laughter. It was as horrible sounding and as malicious as the devil himself. Sakura flinched, and I protectively moved closer to her. The problem was that the voice seemed to be everywhere, and echoing right back to where it had come. I couldn't move in-between her and this.thing. The reason I call it a thing is that no person could act the way he did.
"Hello, Sakura," the voice said with evil mirth. "How nice of you to come for a visit. What a pity, we couldn't meet in better conditions, but I don't mind.do you?"
"Who-who are you?!?" She commanded, a tiny bit of fear mixed in with her anger and hatred.
"Don't you know? I am your worst enemy. No, let me rephrase that. YOU and all the other worthless Kinomotos are MY worst enemy. That is why I must destroy you."
She gasped. "Tokurashi." It was barely said in a whisper. Then she raised her voice. "You killed my family, didn't you?" It wasn't a question, it was an accusion.
"Of course. And it was terribly easy. Your mother saw through my plan years ago when I tried to take over the throne. She used her magic as a counter to my mind control on all the other citizens. It's too bad that your father doesn't have magic. He could have repaid her. She fought beautifully until the end. She thought she could save you my little cherry blossom, but instead she has made me drunk with wanting your blood spilled over the sodden turf, no matter whose turf it might be."
"You monster!" She shouted, tears of rage running down her cheeks. "I didn't want to believe. I couldn't believe.but now I know that it's the truth. And your did it! You heartless.."
"DON'T MAKE A MOCKERY OF ME!!!" He shouted, his voice booming from all directions. I looked every which way, trying to find where he came from, but it was impossible. "Everything would have been perfect if it wasn't for you, you brainless twit! The Clow Cards would be mine! I would control every human on this planet. Not even Clow Reed himself would be able to resist my power! But no, YOU had to be the one to find the book of Clow. YOU had to be the one who let all that power out into the world. A waist of preciously usable magic! And YOU. had to be named Card mistress. I could have just destroyed the Li Clan and this Kingdom, and you wouldn't have to have suffered so. You wouldn't have to join your family, in the grave. YOU would not have to die. But now you do. It is fate.I guess. I once thought I loved your mother, but she was too old for me. When I saw you smile, I thought I fell in love with you. I would have made you my Queen. We would have been invincible! But no. that can't happen. Not now. I truly am sorry to have to kill a Princess with such a pretty face."
"I wouldn't be your Queen if you were the last male on Earth!" Sakura spat, her eyes half closed from exhaustion. "I would rather die!"
"DON'T!" lightning lashed overhead, showing his uncontrolled anger. I jumped to the side nearly being hit. I looked at Sakura's sweat-streaked face and knew she wouldn't last long at all. The sword, raised in my fist, blared with renewed energy. I had to protect her. I had to!
"Show yourself!" I hollered, shaking uncontrollably from anger. "And leave Sakura alone!"
"Ah, I remember you. You are the one I pledged that curse on. Yes, indeed. you are a ferocious little wolf now aren't you? Everything would have gone smoothly. I wouldn't have had to lift a fist against you or your kind. I was a patient sorcerer, you all would have died sooner or later. Hopefully more soon than later, but that isn't the case, now is it? You see, I know for a fact that you will never marry, because you are not capable of loving. You are the only son this Kingdom has, and with no heirs, I could have found that stupid Clow book and ruled the world! But YOU didn't have the book now did you? Oh no. You see, your mother knew of my plan, and sent it to the one place I wouldn't dream of looking. To the Kinomoto Kingdom. Why there you ask? Simple. I lived there most of my life, as a commoner among the poor, hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal Queen and Princess. Why would she send it to where I was, that would be stupid, idiotic.clever. Also, she had to have known that there was magic in their veins, so she was secretly hoping that one of them would open the book. Not only did that come true, but the little Princess was the Cardmistress, and released all of them all over the place, so I couldn't sense for her aura, and know who the lucky person was. For five years I wondered around aimlessly, until I found the last remaining puzzle piece. I intercepted a letter from Queen Nadeshiko to Queen Yelan, and all that I needed to know was right there in front of me."
"You really are a monster."
"No my dear boy, I am simply human, allowed to make any choice or decision I please, and who happens to have a lot of power." Here he laughed a wry laugh that I never wanted to hear again. "Simply human, and a sorcerer, combined in one."
"And when combined and used for wrong purposes, could be deadly," I stated defiantly.
"Don't try my patience!"
I smirked. "I thought you said you had a lot of patience."
"That's enough!" Blue lightning lit the surrounding area and a bolt shot right in my direction. I smirked once again and dodged it. He was more stupid than I thought. I wanted to see exactly how much power he had, and when the lightning blot turned and shot right back in my direction again and hit me I fell to one knee, but smiled with wry humor. He was strong. Incredibly strong, but he wasn't that much of a quick thinker. Now I knew which direction he was in because that was where the lightning bolt came from.
"Syaoran!" Sakura stared helplessly at me with wide eyes. I gave her a reassuring smile so that she knew I would be all right. Bits of the electricity still wound around me, but the pain wasn't too intolerable.
"So you care for this heartless fool?" Tokurashi asked, reproving.
"Yes! I do care about him! He's one of my best friends!" She yelled back angrily.
"Sakura, don't!" I yelled to deaf ears. She was just digging herself in deeper. By the look in her eyes I could tell she didn't care one way or the other about what happened to her. That guy had to have been holding back when he tried to blast me.
"You DARE say that to me?!? YOU DIE HERE AND NOW!!!!!"
A huge burst of baby blue energy aimed straight toward Sakura. I stared, not able to move or yell or breathe, not able to help her in any way possible. Even if I tried to run in front of her and take the blast for her, I wouldn't be fast enough. She was too far away now. I watched in sheer terror as in slow motion, the scene before me began to unfold. I waited for Sakura to do something, anything! Use a card against it! But she stood there, motionless. As if she just became a statue. Her eyes widened in fright as the huge mass of the ball came closer and closer, growing bigger and bigger, taller than her head to the floor. Then it hit. She squeezed her eyes shut in pain and fear as it looked as if it had consumed her. Then, as fast as it had come, it disappeared, leaving Sakura face down on the ground, her chest struggling to rise and fall. Her hair singed, her clothes ripped and torn, her flesh covered with cuts and bruises already. I stared in horror at the deep gashes in her arms and legs that were bleeding freely, looking as if they wouldn't stop any time soon.
"SAAAKUUURAAAAAAAA!" I ran to her side, wailing like a person who just got his soul ripped from his body, or dying an extremely painful death that was as slow as the eclipses in the moon. I turned her over as gently as possible and heard her grunt in pain. "NOOOOOOOO!!!!" I stood, shaking, and aimed a blast of pure energy of rage and sorrow in the direction where his magic came from. There was a blast of light and suddenly he appeared, floating in mid-air. He was dressed in pure black, covered from head to toe. The only thing I could see were his eyes. Grotesquely orange eyes. Even under all that fabric, I could tell he was silently laughing at me.
"So, you are smarter than I thought. Pity. Oh, well. I might as well get two nuisances out of the way."
"Not so fast, Tokurashi."
Startled, I turned toward the sound of the voice. I saw a light coming closer and closer from the mists, as if from fog. I squinted my eyes. I have heard that voice before. I know I have.
"Who are you?" Tokurashi asked, not bothering to hide the distaste from his voice.
"You know me quite well, but I will not tell you more. That is all you need to know," the person said, finally close enough to see. He had a staff that was taller than he was, a lopsided hat that I thought looked ridiculous, [AN: not me! Syaoran! His point of view, remember.] and a cape that billowed out around him.
'Eriol?' I thought to myself. 'Could it really be him? He has magic too? WHAT'S HE DOING HERE?!?'
"Leave now, or I will be forced to use extreme measures," he stated in a deadly calm voice.
"You don't have DIRT on me!" Tokurashi shouted. He sent off one of his blasts of fire balls but this one was only half the size and the one he shot at Sakura. Thinking of Sakura I lyed my hand upon her shoulder and concentrated all of my magical energy to healing her. At least a little at a time was better then none at all. I had to save her. I couldn't let her die here, like this. Especially not like this. I felt her pulse growing stronger, but it was still incredibly weak. I worked on the main cuts and burns and then remembered Eriol. I looked back over just in time to see him reflect the blue blast of energy and send one himself to Tokurashi that also happened to be blue in color.
I concentrated on Sakura once again this time and didn't even bother to look back over to see how the two blue sorcerers were faring. All that mattered at the moment was Sakura. She had to get better. I would never forgive myself if she didn't. The next thing I knew, Eriol came and knelt on the other side of her, looking at her sadly yet intently, and then at me.
"Did you defeat him?" I asked, not bothering to hide the bitterness I felt for him or that Tokurashi guy.
"No. He deserted."
After a moments pause I snapped. "What do you want? Can't you tell I'm busy here?!? Sakura's life is in danger Eriol! And you don't even seem to care! I've got to help her! Heal her! And YOU knew all about this didn't you? Why did you chose now to show up, huh?" I glared at him so full of hatred that it felt as if my eyes would pop out.
"Quite the contrary to all of those, actually," he stated calmly, which was REALLY starting to get on my nerves. "I do care what happens to our little Card Mistress," my eyes widened at how he knew that, "And I didn't know about how bad things were getting with Tokurashi. I must admit, the few incidents that has happened recently, the lake, the pasty goo you two were stuck in, those were my doing."
"WHAT?!?"
"But this? No, this was for a dark evil purpose, and I'm just glad that he didn't succeed. He would have killed both of you if he had the chance. It took me quite a while to break through the barrier he had created, but even that couldn't stop me from entering." I pretended to ignore him and I continued healing Sakura's wounds, but my ears wouldn't permit me to drown out the sound of his voice. "The thing that bothers me, is how someone so evil and powerful as he, could be welcomed here in your castle with open arms."
"What? What are you talking about?"
Eriol waved his staff in the air and it started to glow, then slowly, the fog and hazy gray mists disappeared, and once again all of us were in the corridor of the castle. "It was a mere illusion, like you both figured out earlier. But Sakura noticed how the floor still remained the cold stone floor as in your palace. Simple. He is here IN your palace, able to throw an illusion like that at you and appear in the same room. Just a few seconds ago, he was standing right there." He pointed a ways away to a now vaccant spot on the floor and I felt as if a cold hand was running up and down my back in fear.
"You mean. he's here? In the castle, at this very moment my family and I are sheltering Tokurashi?"
"Yes," came the grim reply. "That is the only possibility."
Then why did you show yourself to me? What are you doing here endangering Sakura like that!"
"I saved her life down at the lake. I wouldn't let any harm come to her. The future needs her. She's too valuable to breaking your curse, as well as the curse of every other Kingdom he would destroy or take over. All I want from her is to know that her powers are growing and that she is turning the Clow Cards into Sakura Cards."
Why does she have to do this so sudden though? It takes all of her energy and magic away from her. Now is when she'll need it most."
"Syaoran, now is when the cards need her most. If she doesn't turn all of them into Sakura Cards, they will loose their powers."
"Crap! And this all happens to take place when Tokurashi is threatening to kill her and everyone in his path so he can take over the world?" I said it sarcastically, but knew there was truth behind it.
"Exactly."
"Well, what are you doing here now?" I asked skeptically.
"I come to 'beg forgiveness and ask as much as offer help.'"
"Are you being sarcastic?" I asked in monotone.
"No. I was just saying that the way Sakura did in class today. I was wondering who the person with the Stone Heart would be. Believe me, when I saw you around Sakura, I didn't think it would be you."
"Hey! What? Stone Heart? That's just a legend."
"Is it? Weren't you trying to convince Sakura otherwise earlier?" I didn't comment. "Anyway, I'm going to need your help soon, and I know already that you need mine. We have to figure out where Tokurashi is hiding-"
"But first, we heal Sakura!" I commanded.
"I wouldn't have it any other way. But you better be careful. You practically drained all of your strength and energy in trying to heal her. Let's work together, and I'll fuel your power with my own so you won't get any weaker."
"I don't need your help! Sakura does! Not me!"
"So I take it I'm not forgiven?" There was an odd look in his eyes, and he seemed to already know the answer.
"Not any time soon. Now come on! Before we waste any more time. She's almost coming to."
We used our strength and magic mainly, and tried to feed her our healing energy. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't hard either. I was sweating and going cross eyed because of concentration, but before we knew it, Sakura woke up and murmured her thanks. When we were done healing her I had to tell her everything that happened after she fainted. I was almost in tears I was so happy to hear her voice and see her smile. When I was done telling her everything that had happened, I couldn't help but to add, "There's your proof Sakura." Now we knew that the legend was true. Now we knew a little of the future to be.
Yay! I'm done! Wasn't that a good ending to this chapter? I think so! ^-^ hee hee! Well, guess what. My dad is going out of town for a few days so I won't be able to type! *tear* If you guys give me REALLY good reviews I'll try to type a whole chapter the day he gets back! I might even go to the library and type and up-date (if I can) from there. Hope to hear from you soon! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! ^______^ Thanx!
Disclaimer: *whines* Do I HAVE to do these? I do?!? But I don't wanna! No! I refuse. WHAT?!? Really? Are you pulling my leg? You're serious? BUT I DON'T WANT TO GET SUED!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fine! Be that way. Idon'townCCSsogoandbothersomeoneelseforachangeandleavemealone. ::blows raspberry:: ON WITH THE CHAPTER!
Thanks to.
Silverwing
aleris
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Wings of Fire
Cev
Akane
cutiecaptor
Madison Hammack
Little Blossom
KuteSakura
Glarie
Sexychick
chibidragon
deb
cherrytree
Saiera
Kittyangel
Chibi Chibi Sakura
silverfang
odango
SakumaRyuichi
Mystical-Grace
wenxuan-chan
shazaoblossom
Angel
SpringbloomOpal
KrystalKat390
Joey
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Kim
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The Dark Shadow Mystress
Silex
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR o_O (WOW!)
After dance and manners, which we still haven't had any lessons on manners so I don't know why I call it that, I went to Legends and Tales with Syaoran, still as bright as a tomato. I found Hinruku waiting for me by my desk, a smile planted on his face.
"So, are you ready to tell everyone about what you read?" He seemed apprehensive, like he wanted to tell the class this magnificent secret that everyone should already know.
"Uh.I guess," I stated, sweat drops appearing all over my head.
"Alright class, settle down," Miss Mizuki stated calmly to the nervous chatter that filled the room. Automatically everyone took their seats and waited patiently for further instructions. "I will call up the partners of two, and each-by turn- will tell us what you found out so far." A few groans could be heard of the student who forgot to study or else hoped it wouldn't be due too soon. The first people she called up to the front of the class were Eriol and Tomoyo.
"What we found out so far is that even in the depths of the world of tragedies, hope still shines through. All you have to do is believe," Tomoyo stated calmly and serenely. I admired her strength of being able to talk to a whole class like that. I hoped that I'd be that calm!
"Yes," Eriol continued. "This tale was about a helplessly lost being, whom has lived through so many tragedies that all he can feel is despair. This young man would walk until he found the meaning of life, but he could never find it. What he did find was loss, sadness, anger. and despair."
Tomoyo nodded unconsciously. "Then, one day, he was encountered by an unearthly being. She was the most beautiful thing the man had ever seen. One day, when he just about gave up, she appeared before him and offered him something he could never have dreamed of, happiness, love, and hope," Tomoyo commented. Then she smiled. "And what this tale is trying to get through to everyone out there, is that even though life may be filled with toils and tragedies, hope will only be a couple of steps behind."
Everyone clapped, and Eriol and Tomoyo both bowed to the class.
"Thank you very much. You two may be seated now," Miss Mizuki stated. "Now will Syaoran and Meiling please come up and tell us about Love and Loss?"
Meiling stomped up to the front of the classroom with a determined look on her face and Syaoran looked thoroughly bored, yet almost sad. "Love and Loss is about a couple that cares about each other very deeply. They are soul mates, and are connected. Then, one day, the man falls ill and dies. His wife feels so much remorse that she stops talking and wants to die just to be with the one she loves." Syaoran looked pointedly at Meiling for her to continue.
"She vows never to love another being as long as she lives," Meiling said, her eyes showing a sudden sadness of emotion that no one had ever seen before. "She can only think about him, worry about him, and imagine what would have happened if he lived a little longer. Her husband comes to her one night, and asks her to let him go. He tells her to move on, and that she would die if she kept torturing herself."
"She can't see herself loving anyone else but him, and he feels horrible for putting her through this. Finally, one night, he talks her into letting him go. She still loves him and cares for him, but this time she also mended her broken heart, and learned that with love, came loss."
Miss Mizuki smiled. "Thank you Syaoran, Meiling." They both bowed, following the example of Tomoyo and Eriol, and then went back to their seats. For some unknown reason, I was very close to tears.
"Next up is." Miss Mizuki scanned her list, "Sakura and Hinruku, with the Legend of the Stone Heart."
I gulped, hoping I wouldn't have to go too soon. Well, that was out of the question. My body must have been shaking all over as I slowly stood up. Why did there have to be oral presentations?
"Don't worry, you'll be fine," Tomoyo whispered from my right.
I inhaled a deep breath and nodded, hoping she would be right. It was a good thing Hinruku has to talk first. He read the first book, I read the second.
I made my way to the front of the class and looked over at everyone, feeling heat creep up onto my cheeks. I hated talking in front of so many people! 'Look at the floor, look at Tomoyo, just don't look at THEM!' I tried to scold myself. I dropped my gaze to the floor. It was better than nothing. Then I heard Hinruku's voice and calmed down a little. Hopefully, if I acted like I was only talking to my friends, it wouldn't be so bad.
"The Legend of the Stone Heart begins with a heartless prince who didn't love anyone. All his life he would glare at his subjects and wouldn't ever bother with the ladies of the court. Why should he? They were all fake people, acting like they were someone or something they were not. The thing is, this heartless soul has magic, and deep down, he really isn't heartless at all. When he meets a fair Princess, she realizes this, but it isn't until later that they become friends. He overheard her talking one day and knows that she also posesses magic, and that she has the cards, that were supposed to belong in his family, and not hers."
My head snapped up when I heard that. 'Wha? What?!? How.does he know all of this? Is it really in that book he read? What is going on? It sounds so familiar! TOO familiar!' I stared at Hinruku through wide eyes, but he was looking out over the class who were paying keen attention. I exhaled, maybe I was imagining things. Maybe it was nothing at all. Deep down, I knew I was kidding myself.
"Then, the inevitable happens, they become friends. And as they get closer and closer, their friendship becomes stronger and stronger." He looked at me. I guess that that meant that that's where the first book left off. It was my turn. But.what.why did this sound so familiar?
"In the second book, after they become friends, they realize that they like each other more than they thought. They become closer because they are allies in strength and power. Their lives are basically in each other's hands. But then, they're enemy approaches. A person full of dark and evil purposes. He harms them, but for some reason, he doesn't want them to get hurt. It's a mystery.what does he want? Is he a friend or foe? But then.the worst part of all comes. a man full of evil and dark magic. He wants them dead, and so the mystery guy reveals himself when the girl gets hurt. He begs for their forgiveness, and asks as much as offers his help."
From the look on everyone's faces I could tell that they wanted me to continue. I was so caught up in the story and the feelings of the story, that it just hit me. I said all of that to the class, in front of tons of people, and I didn't falter once because I was so preoccupied. I felt heat rise up on my cheeks and then realized once again they wanted to hear more. I hung my head and mumbled, "That's where the second book ends. I don't know how many books there are, but the pictures are wonderful."
A few people mumbled under their breaths. Everyone seemed disappointed, especially Naoko. We both walked back to our seats and waited for Sumiki and Roshiku to give their orals. Dark and Pure; Justice For All, seemed interesting. It also had a familiar ring to it. Have I read these before, or happen to know what they are about? It was strange, very strange.
After everyone in the class had their turn, Mrs. Mizuki called for our attention. "Alright students, the reason why I wanted all of you to look up these legends and tales is because we will begin starting to learn about them next class period. Out of all of the ones I have selected, I think the one I have chosen will displease no one. The Legend of the Stone Heart shall be what we will be reviewing. You may check the books from the library, but please, there is only one copy of each book and we will need them for class so if I need it, you will have to hand them over. Understood?"
We all cheered and nodded our heads in consent so she knew that we understood. I was really glad that we would be learning about this one. But right as she said it a shiver ran down my back. It gave me goosebumps, and I didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
After legends and tales our last class was Nature's Song. As we practiced singing the songs for the festival I couldn't help but get excited. Tomoyo kept adding feverently that she was almost done with our dresses for the festival and the ball. I, of course, just sweat dropped.
At dinner I couldn't help but to keep glancing in Syaoran's direction. I still didn't know why or how he got hurt. I was worried about him. One time I was staring at him for so long that the attention drew his eyes to mine. I gulped and blushed, then hurriedly looked away. I pretended to be eating and listening intently to the conversation around me, but I felt his gaze on the side of my face. I snuck a quick peek in his direction and froze when we made eye contact. He gave me the tiniest reassuring smile that I almost didn't see it, and then he went back to his dinner. I also turned back to mine, my face as bright as a ripe tomato.
"Sakura. aren't you coming?" A gentle voice asked, barely hiding her amusement.
"What? Huh? Oh.yeah." I glanced around me to see that everyone was getting up, and most people had already left.
"Dinner is over, Sakura." Tomoyo looked at me with a little concern in her eyes. "Are you feeling alright?"
I gave her a wavering smile and sweat dropped. "Of course. I was just daydreaming, that's all."
She turned her smile into a sly one. "About Syaoran?" She whispered so that only I could hear.
"Tomoyo!" I exclaimed, my eyes flicking to the spot where he sat at the table. The spot that was now empty. I searched the room and looked to the people that were flocked at the doors. Finally I saw a flicker of a green aura and a mass of brown hair. I sighed and glanced around me. Now I had to make a quick exit.
"Are you coming to the room or aren't you?" Tomoyo asked, as if she knew my plan all along.
I tried to act calm and relaxed, which was everything I WASN'T feeling. I gave a careless shrug and said, "Actually, I have something that I need to do. I'll be up in a bit."
Tomoyo gave a small smile and a knowing glance, which I missed completely, and watched as I fled for the large doors that went out into the great hall. The doors which Syaoran just left through.
I turned my head this way and that, but I no longer saw him. How was I supposed to find him in such a massive crowd? I closed my eyes and tried to drown out the noise and the pushing and shoving. Finally I sensed his aura. It was hard, but I did it. I followed it blindly at first, until I knew I was on the right trail, then my eyes snapped open and I headed up the stairs to the third level. When no one was around I started running. I didn't know where his room was and I most certainly did NOT want to have to knock on his door.
When I sensed his aura getting nearer I started to slow down. As I turned one of the corners to the left I spotted him. He seemed about to run into the wall when he stopped short, then turned in my direction. He must have sensed my aura.
"What do you want?" He asked, his eyes inquiring.
"I-I was just w-wondering.why you were hurt."
His eyes narrowed into a glare and he looked away. "If I did happen to get hurt, it's nothing I can't handle. If I did get hurt.it's none of YOUR business!"
I gasped and took a backwards step. The moment the words came out I knew he was sorry. I looked away, feeling my eyes start to sting. I told myself it was silly to cry over a petty thing like that. It wasn't too hard to hold back the tears.
"I was just worried," I managed to say as I hung my head. I squeezed my eyes shut tight. "Never mind." I turned and ran, but I didn't get far. He caught my wrist in a tight grasp and I tried desperately to get free, but he never wavered.
"Sakura-stop! I'm sorry," he mumbled.
I stopped trying to get free, but I still wouldn't look in his direction. He gave a tug on my wrist and I stumbled toward him. "Syaoran.what's wrong?" I asked finally.
He sighed a long, drawn out breath of air. "It's.everything!" he said at last, and I could tell this had been on his chest for a while now. "It's how the other Princes think that I'm going to take away their girlfriends or their betrothed or what not, and I don't care for them one way or another! It's how all the Princesses hang all over me, and won't even try to get to know me. They don't care about that! They won't listen and they don't care how I feel! It's how ONE -" he cut himself off, and I looked up at him. He looked down at me and I could feel my heart beating rapidly. "It's how one person, who doesn't care about looks, who puts others before her, and who is herself, that frightens me most of all. She changed me.for the better I suppose. She's my friend, and I'm confused on how she has this affect on me."
After a long treacherous silence I said the only thing that came to mind, hypnotized by his soft amber eyes. I gulped. "Oh."
He shook his head as if coming out of a daze and turned red. "Uh, I-I better go." He hurriedly turned and headed once again toward the wall, then stopped. He looked back at me helplessly, and all I could do was stare.
"Syaoran." I started. 'Who could this person he was talking about be? And why was he red all of a sudden? He cared about someone, but who? It was nice that we both had someone to care about, but those words were so sincere. They came from the bottom of his heart. He really did care, deep down, and I always knew that. But if I liked Yukito, and he liked someone else, then why did it hurt so bad to know that? Why did it feel like my heart had turned to ice, and shattered.
*****Syaoran*****
I can't believe it. How could I have said something like that? Worst off, how could I have said it to her? The one I care for most? Why, why, why, why, why?!?
I hurried away from her, not wanting to hear what she had to say. I headed to the curtain by the wall and realized I was trapped. I couldn't go to my room or she'd know where it was. I was stuck here.with her.and the words that were still lingering in the air. I looked back at her, helplessly, praying that she would leave. I didn't want her to say she didn't feel the same, but then again, maybe she didn't even know what or who I was talking about.
"Syaoran." She started to say, but never finished her thought.
"You don't have to say anything."
She sighed, and almost looked hurt, but why? She didn't feel the same, did she? She couldn't.
"Don't worry," she stated at last. She was looking at the ground with watery eyes. "One day she'll find out you care about her, and everything will be fine. I'm sure she feels the same. If you think that highly of her, I'm sure that she must be very nice in deed. You don't need to get upset over this. It's Meiling, isn't it?" I stared at her like she was crazy, but she didn't see my expression, only the floor. Did she really not know? "I know that she really is nice deep down, despite what everybody else thinks. It isn't rare that families marry-"
"Sakura, stop." She slowly looked up at me. "It isn't Meiling."
She looked confused now. "Then who-" she stopped herself before the question got out, probably not wanting to be rude, but I silently thanked her for it. Now wasn't the right time. I didn't know when it would be, but it wasn't right now.
"There's something else," I stated, glad to be on another subject.
"What?" She asked, and I could tell she was really listening to me, not just pretending like most of the other Princesses did.
"You know that legend you had to look up for class today?" She nodded. "Doesn't it sound. familiar?"
She thought about it for a while. "Yeah, I guess, but what does that have to do with-"
"Think about it Sakura. I don't trust that so-called teacher Ms. Mizuki, and she had YOU read that legend, and YOU happen to have magic, like the girl in the story."
"Syaoran, it was probably mere coincidence. Besides, I don't even look like the girl on the cover!"
"That doesn't matter. It was written long ago, they didn't know what you would look like."
"So you think I'm in danger?" I asked skeptically, crossing my arms.
"Well.yes."
"Syaoran, tell me ONE thing that happened in that legend that's true."
I opened my mouth, thought about it for a while, and knew that our friendship wouldn't be enough to convince her, so I closed it again. I couldn't tell her that I was falling in love with her! I mean, that was out of the question! I still can't believe I'm starting to just accept it now! I narrowed my brows into a frown and opened my mouth to try to convince her any way but those two when the floor suddenly caved in.
"What's happening?!?" Sakura yelled frantically.
"I-don't-know!" I said in-between breaths. The floor was a sticky, gooey mess, like putty. "Is this happening in the whole castle?!?"
"How am I supposed to answer that? I in the same room as you, aren't I?"
I looked over at her and realized that she was up to her shoulders in this stuff. I was to my chest, and I didn't even realize it until now.
"Are we going to suffocate?!?" Sakura asked frantically.
I felt my blood run cold. I didn't want to even think about dying. I gritted my teeth and moved as close to my little cherry blossom as I could. "Give me your hand!"
I reached out for her as her hand came out of the mass of blubber. We were pretty far apart, but after forcing ourselves, our hands found each other. We held on firmly, not wanting to think about what would happen if we let go.
She went under first, the gooey mush up to my ears. "SAKURA!" I yelled, fright gripping my heart in a strong wrench. Then it moved over my face. Either that or I sunk down into it. I held my breath, trying to think. I couldn't use lightning, or it would fry both of us. Fire would burn us, water wouldn't help but to drown us, would wind work? Worth a try! I have to save Sakura!
'Wind!' I called out in my thoughts, 'Come to my aid!' I felt the pendant grow into a sword, and it was then that I realized Sakura was still holding on to my hand. There was hope yet. A gust of wind formed a bubble around us and I could finally see Sakura's face. We both gasped for air, but the bubble started to shrink once again.
"Syaoran!" Sakura yelled.
"Save your breath! Think Sakura! You can do this!" I gasped for one more breath right before it took me.
"I will not let you interfere little wolf." I heard the voice in my ears as much as in my thoughts. I felt the sword shrink into a pendant and it was then that I knew I couldn't do anything. 'Who are you?' I growled in my thoughts. "You will find out soon enough," came the reply. 'Why do you endanger Sakura?!?' He laughed at this question, making me grit my teeth. "I don't. Not truly"
I was slowly about ready to drift into unconsciousness from lack of air when I felt the mass of muck slowly thin out, enough for me to open my eyes. I could breath again! The stuff disappeared and I saw Sakura standing there with a smile on her face.
"I did it!" She yelled excitedly. She laughed and grabbed my other hand in hers, then I noticed she had the staff in it. "I turned the Erase card into a Sakura card and erased all that gooey slimy stuff! Isn't that great?!?"
I gave a small smile despite myself. "Yeah, that's great. The only thing that bothers me is that we don't know who is doing this to you. And why? There also is one TINY little thing that sort of freaks me out." I added dryly, glancing around the place.
"What?"
"WHERE ARE WE?!?"
Sakura looked around and gasped. Everything around us was a grayish mist. We weren't back at the palace in the corridor like we were a few moments before. We had to be in some other vortex or place or SOMEthing! Who knew where we were?
"Syaoran, I already used up a lot of my strength the other day and today with changing the cards. I didn't tell you, but last night I also transformed the Dash and Power. Now what?"
"Sakura!" I lectured. "You aren't supposed to use your powers so much! It wares you out, and you know it!"
She looked guiltily down at the ground. "Wait a second! This has to be some kind of illusion! We're on the ground, but it's a stone floor! Like at your castle! If I can cut my way through this time warp thingy, then maybe we can get out of here!"
"Sakura," I said in a warning voice.
"Don't worry. I already transformed the Sword card, so it won't be using my strength. Sword Card! Release and dispel! Sword!"
Her staff turned into a sword, and I once again looked down at my pendant. I would have been able to help her in any other circumstances. Why couldn't I now? And who was that guy I heard? One thing was for sure. I did not like him one bit!
She slashed at the gray mists but nothing happened. She only came in contact with air. She looked for a moment like she was utterly panicked, but she gathered her strength and tried again in a different spot. Nothing happened.
"S-S-Syaoran?" She whimpered, looking in my direction.
I clenched my hands into fists. At the moment I didn't care if that stupid guy didn't want me to help. I was going to, and that was that! I didn't like feeling helpless. I concentrated my will and magic to turn the pendant once again into a sword and was surprised when I found out how easy it was. I waited a while to see if it would go back and when it didn't I grinned triumphantly.
"Lightning! Come to my aid!" I shouted. Lightning stretched out, and it seemed to make a black hole in the gray mists. It seemed like a black cloud though, not a gap in which we could escape by. "Fire!" I shouted, fed up with this little charade. The fire did the same thing, a clog of black smoke in the sky where I pointed it.
"My turn," Sakura stated, not ready to give up. "I call upon the power of my star, ancient forces near and far. Clow Card change with all your might, and draw your power.from my light! Watery!"
"Sakura!" I exclaimed. It was too late though. The card was already starting to change. She didn't have the strength to have yet another card draw from her power. She was too weak already as it was.
"Watery! Try to break a hole in this dimension! Watery!"
Watery sprang out of her card and shot toward the gray mists. She only created another black obis though, that happened to not be a way out, or the place where we wanted to go. She came back and transferred back into card form, a look of defeat on her face.
"It.didn't work," came Sakura's breathy reply, looking worried and too weak to find a way out of here. "Are we going to be stuck here.for.forever?"
Suddenly the whole area filled with deep, evil laughter. It was as horrible sounding and as malicious as the devil himself. Sakura flinched, and I protectively moved closer to her. The problem was that the voice seemed to be everywhere, and echoing right back to where it had come. I couldn't move in-between her and this.thing. The reason I call it a thing is that no person could act the way he did.
"Hello, Sakura," the voice said with evil mirth. "How nice of you to come for a visit. What a pity, we couldn't meet in better conditions, but I don't mind.do you?"
"Who-who are you?!?" She commanded, a tiny bit of fear mixed in with her anger and hatred.
"Don't you know? I am your worst enemy. No, let me rephrase that. YOU and all the other worthless Kinomotos are MY worst enemy. That is why I must destroy you."
She gasped. "Tokurashi." It was barely said in a whisper. Then she raised her voice. "You killed my family, didn't you?" It wasn't a question, it was an accusion.
"Of course. And it was terribly easy. Your mother saw through my plan years ago when I tried to take over the throne. She used her magic as a counter to my mind control on all the other citizens. It's too bad that your father doesn't have magic. He could have repaid her. She fought beautifully until the end. She thought she could save you my little cherry blossom, but instead she has made me drunk with wanting your blood spilled over the sodden turf, no matter whose turf it might be."
"You monster!" She shouted, tears of rage running down her cheeks. "I didn't want to believe. I couldn't believe.but now I know that it's the truth. And your did it! You heartless.."
"DON'T MAKE A MOCKERY OF ME!!!" He shouted, his voice booming from all directions. I looked every which way, trying to find where he came from, but it was impossible. "Everything would have been perfect if it wasn't for you, you brainless twit! The Clow Cards would be mine! I would control every human on this planet. Not even Clow Reed himself would be able to resist my power! But no, YOU had to be the one to find the book of Clow. YOU had to be the one who let all that power out into the world. A waist of preciously usable magic! And YOU. had to be named Card mistress. I could have just destroyed the Li Clan and this Kingdom, and you wouldn't have to have suffered so. You wouldn't have to join your family, in the grave. YOU would not have to die. But now you do. It is fate.I guess. I once thought I loved your mother, but she was too old for me. When I saw you smile, I thought I fell in love with you. I would have made you my Queen. We would have been invincible! But no. that can't happen. Not now. I truly am sorry to have to kill a Princess with such a pretty face."
"I wouldn't be your Queen if you were the last male on Earth!" Sakura spat, her eyes half closed from exhaustion. "I would rather die!"
"DON'T!" lightning lashed overhead, showing his uncontrolled anger. I jumped to the side nearly being hit. I looked at Sakura's sweat-streaked face and knew she wouldn't last long at all. The sword, raised in my fist, blared with renewed energy. I had to protect her. I had to!
"Show yourself!" I hollered, shaking uncontrollably from anger. "And leave Sakura alone!"
"Ah, I remember you. You are the one I pledged that curse on. Yes, indeed. you are a ferocious little wolf now aren't you? Everything would have gone smoothly. I wouldn't have had to lift a fist against you or your kind. I was a patient sorcerer, you all would have died sooner or later. Hopefully more soon than later, but that isn't the case, now is it? You see, I know for a fact that you will never marry, because you are not capable of loving. You are the only son this Kingdom has, and with no heirs, I could have found that stupid Clow book and ruled the world! But YOU didn't have the book now did you? Oh no. You see, your mother knew of my plan, and sent it to the one place I wouldn't dream of looking. To the Kinomoto Kingdom. Why there you ask? Simple. I lived there most of my life, as a commoner among the poor, hoping to catch a glimpse of the royal Queen and Princess. Why would she send it to where I was, that would be stupid, idiotic.clever. Also, she had to have known that there was magic in their veins, so she was secretly hoping that one of them would open the book. Not only did that come true, but the little Princess was the Cardmistress, and released all of them all over the place, so I couldn't sense for her aura, and know who the lucky person was. For five years I wondered around aimlessly, until I found the last remaining puzzle piece. I intercepted a letter from Queen Nadeshiko to Queen Yelan, and all that I needed to know was right there in front of me."
"You really are a monster."
"No my dear boy, I am simply human, allowed to make any choice or decision I please, and who happens to have a lot of power." Here he laughed a wry laugh that I never wanted to hear again. "Simply human, and a sorcerer, combined in one."
"And when combined and used for wrong purposes, could be deadly," I stated defiantly.
"Don't try my patience!"
I smirked. "I thought you said you had a lot of patience."
"That's enough!" Blue lightning lit the surrounding area and a bolt shot right in my direction. I smirked once again and dodged it. He was more stupid than I thought. I wanted to see exactly how much power he had, and when the lightning blot turned and shot right back in my direction again and hit me I fell to one knee, but smiled with wry humor. He was strong. Incredibly strong, but he wasn't that much of a quick thinker. Now I knew which direction he was in because that was where the lightning bolt came from.
"Syaoran!" Sakura stared helplessly at me with wide eyes. I gave her a reassuring smile so that she knew I would be all right. Bits of the electricity still wound around me, but the pain wasn't too intolerable.
"So you care for this heartless fool?" Tokurashi asked, reproving.
"Yes! I do care about him! He's one of my best friends!" She yelled back angrily.
"Sakura, don't!" I yelled to deaf ears. She was just digging herself in deeper. By the look in her eyes I could tell she didn't care one way or the other about what happened to her. That guy had to have been holding back when he tried to blast me.
"You DARE say that to me?!? YOU DIE HERE AND NOW!!!!!"
A huge burst of baby blue energy aimed straight toward Sakura. I stared, not able to move or yell or breathe, not able to help her in any way possible. Even if I tried to run in front of her and take the blast for her, I wouldn't be fast enough. She was too far away now. I watched in sheer terror as in slow motion, the scene before me began to unfold. I waited for Sakura to do something, anything! Use a card against it! But she stood there, motionless. As if she just became a statue. Her eyes widened in fright as the huge mass of the ball came closer and closer, growing bigger and bigger, taller than her head to the floor. Then it hit. She squeezed her eyes shut in pain and fear as it looked as if it had consumed her. Then, as fast as it had come, it disappeared, leaving Sakura face down on the ground, her chest struggling to rise and fall. Her hair singed, her clothes ripped and torn, her flesh covered with cuts and bruises already. I stared in horror at the deep gashes in her arms and legs that were bleeding freely, looking as if they wouldn't stop any time soon.
"SAAAKUUURAAAAAAAA!" I ran to her side, wailing like a person who just got his soul ripped from his body, or dying an extremely painful death that was as slow as the eclipses in the moon. I turned her over as gently as possible and heard her grunt in pain. "NOOOOOOOO!!!!" I stood, shaking, and aimed a blast of pure energy of rage and sorrow in the direction where his magic came from. There was a blast of light and suddenly he appeared, floating in mid-air. He was dressed in pure black, covered from head to toe. The only thing I could see were his eyes. Grotesquely orange eyes. Even under all that fabric, I could tell he was silently laughing at me.
"So, you are smarter than I thought. Pity. Oh, well. I might as well get two nuisances out of the way."
"Not so fast, Tokurashi."
Startled, I turned toward the sound of the voice. I saw a light coming closer and closer from the mists, as if from fog. I squinted my eyes. I have heard that voice before. I know I have.
"Who are you?" Tokurashi asked, not bothering to hide the distaste from his voice.
"You know me quite well, but I will not tell you more. That is all you need to know," the person said, finally close enough to see. He had a staff that was taller than he was, a lopsided hat that I thought looked ridiculous, [AN: not me! Syaoran! His point of view, remember.] and a cape that billowed out around him.
'Eriol?' I thought to myself. 'Could it really be him? He has magic too? WHAT'S HE DOING HERE?!?'
"Leave now, or I will be forced to use extreme measures," he stated in a deadly calm voice.
"You don't have DIRT on me!" Tokurashi shouted. He sent off one of his blasts of fire balls but this one was only half the size and the one he shot at Sakura. Thinking of Sakura I lyed my hand upon her shoulder and concentrated all of my magical energy to healing her. At least a little at a time was better then none at all. I had to save her. I couldn't let her die here, like this. Especially not like this. I felt her pulse growing stronger, but it was still incredibly weak. I worked on the main cuts and burns and then remembered Eriol. I looked back over just in time to see him reflect the blue blast of energy and send one himself to Tokurashi that also happened to be blue in color.
I concentrated on Sakura once again this time and didn't even bother to look back over to see how the two blue sorcerers were faring. All that mattered at the moment was Sakura. She had to get better. I would never forgive myself if she didn't. The next thing I knew, Eriol came and knelt on the other side of her, looking at her sadly yet intently, and then at me.
"Did you defeat him?" I asked, not bothering to hide the bitterness I felt for him or that Tokurashi guy.
"No. He deserted."
After a moments pause I snapped. "What do you want? Can't you tell I'm busy here?!? Sakura's life is in danger Eriol! And you don't even seem to care! I've got to help her! Heal her! And YOU knew all about this didn't you? Why did you chose now to show up, huh?" I glared at him so full of hatred that it felt as if my eyes would pop out.
"Quite the contrary to all of those, actually," he stated calmly, which was REALLY starting to get on my nerves. "I do care what happens to our little Card Mistress," my eyes widened at how he knew that, "And I didn't know about how bad things were getting with Tokurashi. I must admit, the few incidents that has happened recently, the lake, the pasty goo you two were stuck in, those were my doing."
"WHAT?!?"
"But this? No, this was for a dark evil purpose, and I'm just glad that he didn't succeed. He would have killed both of you if he had the chance. It took me quite a while to break through the barrier he had created, but even that couldn't stop me from entering." I pretended to ignore him and I continued healing Sakura's wounds, but my ears wouldn't permit me to drown out the sound of his voice. "The thing that bothers me, is how someone so evil and powerful as he, could be welcomed here in your castle with open arms."
"What? What are you talking about?"
Eriol waved his staff in the air and it started to glow, then slowly, the fog and hazy gray mists disappeared, and once again all of us were in the corridor of the castle. "It was a mere illusion, like you both figured out earlier. But Sakura noticed how the floor still remained the cold stone floor as in your palace. Simple. He is here IN your palace, able to throw an illusion like that at you and appear in the same room. Just a few seconds ago, he was standing right there." He pointed a ways away to a now vaccant spot on the floor and I felt as if a cold hand was running up and down my back in fear.
"You mean. he's here? In the castle, at this very moment my family and I are sheltering Tokurashi?"
"Yes," came the grim reply. "That is the only possibility."
Then why did you show yourself to me? What are you doing here endangering Sakura like that!"
"I saved her life down at the lake. I wouldn't let any harm come to her. The future needs her. She's too valuable to breaking your curse, as well as the curse of every other Kingdom he would destroy or take over. All I want from her is to know that her powers are growing and that she is turning the Clow Cards into Sakura Cards."
Why does she have to do this so sudden though? It takes all of her energy and magic away from her. Now is when she'll need it most."
"Syaoran, now is when the cards need her most. If she doesn't turn all of them into Sakura Cards, they will loose their powers."
"Crap! And this all happens to take place when Tokurashi is threatening to kill her and everyone in his path so he can take over the world?" I said it sarcastically, but knew there was truth behind it.
"Exactly."
"Well, what are you doing here now?" I asked skeptically.
"I come to 'beg forgiveness and ask as much as offer help.'"
"Are you being sarcastic?" I asked in monotone.
"No. I was just saying that the way Sakura did in class today. I was wondering who the person with the Stone Heart would be. Believe me, when I saw you around Sakura, I didn't think it would be you."
"Hey! What? Stone Heart? That's just a legend."
"Is it? Weren't you trying to convince Sakura otherwise earlier?" I didn't comment. "Anyway, I'm going to need your help soon, and I know already that you need mine. We have to figure out where Tokurashi is hiding-"
"But first, we heal Sakura!" I commanded.
"I wouldn't have it any other way. But you better be careful. You practically drained all of your strength and energy in trying to heal her. Let's work together, and I'll fuel your power with my own so you won't get any weaker."
"I don't need your help! Sakura does! Not me!"
"So I take it I'm not forgiven?" There was an odd look in his eyes, and he seemed to already know the answer.
"Not any time soon. Now come on! Before we waste any more time. She's almost coming to."
We used our strength and magic mainly, and tried to feed her our healing energy. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't hard either. I was sweating and going cross eyed because of concentration, but before we knew it, Sakura woke up and murmured her thanks. When we were done healing her I had to tell her everything that happened after she fainted. I was almost in tears I was so happy to hear her voice and see her smile. When I was done telling her everything that had happened, I couldn't help but to add, "There's your proof Sakura." Now we knew that the legend was true. Now we knew a little of the future to be.
Yay! I'm done! Wasn't that a good ending to this chapter? I think so! ^-^ hee hee! Well, guess what. My dad is going out of town for a few days so I won't be able to type! *tear* If you guys give me REALLY good reviews I'll try to type a whole chapter the day he gets back! I might even go to the library and type and up-date (if I can) from there. Hope to hear from you soon! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! ^______^ Thanx!
