A/N: Chapter 2 explains Syaoran's arrival. Read and review please. Enjoy chapter 2.
FURY OF THE CREATORS
Chapter: Safe Haven
:: Sakura's POV ::
My mind wanted to scream from the headaches. I was feeling so tired. Using that Time card takes a lot of energy from a sorceress. I don't know how long I had been out. As hard as I tried, I couldn't move away from this comfortable bed. It took the better half of an hour before I regained full consciousness. I realized that I wasn't actually sleeping on a bed or in a horizontal position. I heard the beatings of a human heart. With all my strength I pushed to move away from this extremely comfortable position.
"Whoa! Careful!" the voice called out. This person caught me before I slumped down toward the floor. I was weakened from my exertion. I adjusted my eyes to my surroundings. For the most part, darkness surrounds the room save only the sunlight leaking through some of the boarded windows. Chairs and tables were scattered around the room. Dust covered them like a blanket of snow on December. I turned toward the person who had brought me here. In this light, I can only see the burning amber eyes and his chestnut hair. He was the stranger that I've met on my way to school. I moved to sit next to the wall for support without his help.
"Where am I?" I asked.
"An abandon warehouse east of our previous location at grid 6D of the city known as Tomoeda." he replied sardonically.
"Why have you taken me here?"
"I am in need of your assistance." he said with the same expressionless voice.
"That doesn't give you the right to kidnap me." Was I kidnapped? I'm not so sure. My head hurts...
"Would you rather stay wielding 'magic' at that other place? Would you rather have those prying eyes upon you? Stupid girl, I took you here for your protection and in the long run, mine."
"I...uh." I answered. How did he break my magic? How dare he call me stupid? I was fuming at this guy already. We stayed silent for several minutes before I realize that he wasn't much of a conversationalist. Apparently he was waiting for me to break the silence. He sat across from me at a distance. I couldn't see his face clearly in this light. I looked around the room and saw his armor laid nearby.
"What time is it?"
"By your standards, it is 3:06 PM."
"3:06!!! Have I been sleeping that long? I can't believe I missed an entire day of school. Everyone will be so worried. I have to let Dad know. I hope Touya hasn't called the national police. Can you take me home?"
I haven't got the faintest idea what this person really wanted. He said he required my help but he hasn't asked for anything yet. I think he's giving me time to adjust to the situation and I silently thanked him for that. This day is off to a weird start. I wanted to ask him many more questions. Who are you? Where are you from? When are you from? Why are you here? What do you want? My mind kept spitting up questions.
"To answer your first question, you've been sleeping for more than 7 hours, a typical average of human regeneration. Much to your dismay however I cannot fulfill your second query. Location 'home' has not been defined."
"O...K...In other words, you don't know where I live. And stop talking like a robot. Your voice is so monotonous." I can feel his body tensed because of my comment.
"Uh...I'll try." His voice seeming to change a little. I smiled at his attempt to change the way he talks. I looked directly into his eyes to read off any emotions he might have. On the exterior, he seemed so cold toward anything else but his eyes tell me a different story. I looked into the depths of his soul and concluded that he was only lonely. He doesn't socialize much where he's from then?
"You're not going to ask me about magic?"
"Now that you've brought it up..." His voice seemed a little interested in the notion. He doesn't like to talk to anyone and all conversation must be brought to him, I guess. I wavered in my mind whether I should tell him the truth about the Clow cards or not. I decided to share my secret with him since he already seen it.
"Well, I'm a card-captor. I accidentally unlocked this book which contains the cards created by a powerful sorcerer named Clow Reed." I continued to tell all my captures and how I overcame Yue in the Final Judgment.
"I would never have imagined that magic existed. However, after witnessing how you stop time, I must say that I'm impressed."
"Hey! How did you break my magic?"
"I don't know. You said I was frozen for some time which means I had no conscious thought at that time."
"It just happened? Hmm..." We thought about this for a few minutes and I remembered I haven't got a clue what to call him.
"Oh! What's your name? I'm Kinomoto Sakura."
"Oh! Here."
He handed me a card with his picture on it. On the card it read Designation: Commander Li Syaoran of the First Black Wolves Regiment. DOB: 13 July 2168. Relatives: None. The card listed some other information concerning the commander.
"Where is Zadita Province located?"
"In a place of unprecedented and unimaginable horrors where the stench of human flesh occupies the air. To feel the bones crunching beneath your feet is to witness the awesome power of your enemies."
I feel like retching. Is it that bad?
"What will happen in the future?"
"I cannot say. Perhaps the future has changed when I accidentally stepped through this time portal created by ATSV-93 Tachyon-based cannon. I don't belong here and my actions could contaminate the natural events. I need to minimize contacts but I can't return without help. My computer is damaged and is only functioning at minimal capabilities. The less you know about the future the better."
"Oh...I see." I had a hard time believing any of this but I had to think logically of course. Wouldn't Tomoyo freak if I told her that I met a handsome time traveler? Too bad, I can't tell her. He's really cute.
"What about those people that saw you today?"
"While you were sleeping on my chest, I had the computer suppress all the memories of me by remote." I blushed furiously at his statement.
"You erased their memory?"
"No, suppress. You can't erase anything. You might not remember what you ate when you're 3 years old but the information is there. The computer isolated all memories concerning me and pushed it away from your immediate memory."
"I see. How did you get the armor off if I was sleep on your chest then?" I countered.
"When I transported you here, I carried you on my arms. Seeing as how dirty this place is, I couldn't set you down. This bio-suit, not armor, opens in the back. (A/N: Imagine a Terran Marine in Starcraft.) I moved you in a piggyback position so that when I exited you fell on me. I cleared a spot to set you down but you refused to let me go. I had no choice but to comply."
I blushed once again. Thank God this place is dark. I refused to let him go? "Sorry. I bet you were uncomfortable."
"Not at all. I sat guard many times. Sometimes my men thinks I'm a statue."
I giggled lightly at his joke. He's opening up already. At least the tone of his voice changed a lot.
"Where are your men?"
"All dead." he said sadly. Syaoran blamed himself for leading those men to their death. During a valiant assault on a Dominion war factory, they were ambushed by a fleet of ATSV-93. Apparently, they had known of the assault.
"I'm sorry." Syaoran certainly has seen a lot.
"What don't you have any relatives? A man isn't born without parents, uncles, aunts, or sisters."
"They're all dead." he said ominously.
"I didn't mean to ask. I'm sorry."
"It's ok. They died gloriously in the field of battle."
"I have to return home before everyone goes crazy. You said you need my help? What can I do?"
"As of right now, there's nothing you can do. Show me the location of your home and I'll take you there." He walked toward his armor and took up his left armament. Tapping a few times on his portable computer, he brought up a visual representation of Tomoeda in a 3 dimensional plane."
"We're here." he said as he pointed on the picture to a warehouse. "We were here." He pointed to another place where I had met him. "Show me your home."
"This is really cool! How? Nevermind. Umm...my house is here." I pointed to the miniature house.
"OK. I'll take you home and return here." I looked around the room once more. This abandon warehouse was covered in dust. The lighting was really bad because I can't see a thing. There's not even a comfortable place to sleep. I scanned the room for a third time and noticed the rats living under the cover of a broken table.
"No way...you can't stay here. It's filthy."
"And?"
"And if you're not careful the roof might cave in on you."
He chuckled lightly at my comment. It was short but sweet. I had never heard anything so entrancing before.
"Where do you suggest I set up camp?"
"Since you're not from here, I wouldn't expect you to know anywhere to go? Since you're not from this time line, I wouldn't expect you to have a money?" I inquired. He acknowledged this.
"Well...why don't you stay at my house?"
"I'm trying to minimize contacts remember?."
"Right. Well, you can't spend the night here for sure. You said the computer can suppress memories? You can do that before you return to your time."
He thought about my proposal for a minute before answering. I really wanted him to say yes. Why?
"Alright. We will need a convincing story to placate your parents. You've been missing for several hours and you're coming home with another person. I assume you have one?"
"Of course. I'll take care of it." I felt my heart jumped in joy.
"Let's go."
Syaoran moved to pick up his bio-suit and his sword.
"You can't take that. While you're staying with me, my family might get curious."
"I need the computer but I suppose the rest of the bio-suit can stay here along with my weapon."
Syaoran walked toward me and held out his right hand. I took his hand and readied myself for transport. He said something to the computer on his left wrist but I really didn't pay any attention. I was feeling well rested after my exertion and holding on to Syaoran gave me a sense of security. In mere seconds, the room blurred. When my eyes refocus once again, I saw that I was in front of my house. I looked around to confirm if this is really my house and to see if anyone was looking. I turned to Syaoran for a better look. The warehouse's lighting doesn't do him justice. He's totally cute. I blushed at my own admittance.
We walked hand-in-hand toward the door when Touya suddenly swung the door open.
"Where have you been!? I called the police but 24 hours hasn't passed." Touya noticed Syaoran and our intertwining hands. I subconsciously pulled my hands away from Syaoran's and blushed.
"Who's this brat?"
"He's not a brat! His name is Li Syaoran and he saved me." That has a bit of truth to it.
Touya looked at Syaoran with distrust. He gave Syaoran a scowl and glared at him. Likewise, Syaoran returned that deadly stare and a scowl of his own. I noticed this battle between my brother and my new friend.
"Can we come in? I'm starving!"
Touya allowed us to come in and closed the door behind him. I motioned Syaoran to sit down at the couch. I sat down beside him. My father came in the living room afterwards and greeted my guest. I made the introductions. I made up a story about fainting when the lightning struck meters away from me and how Syaoran rushed to my aid. My brother doesn't seem to believe the story but he didn't say anything. Touya also noticed the computer on Syaoran's left wrist but he didn't say anything.
"Dad, can I talk to you alone?" I asked my father. I hate to leave Syaoran with Touya but I have to convince my father to let Syaoran stay.
"What do you want Sakura?" Fujitaka asked.
"Um...uh...can Syaoran stay with us?"
"Why?"
"Well...he's...um...he's an orphan. That's it. He's an orphan and he doesn't have a place to stay. He doesn't have any living relatives and doesn't have any money. He helped me and I'd like to return the favor. Can he stay dad? Please, please." I gave him my sweetest smile and entreated him to allow Syaoran to stay with us.
"Well, this is a case for the social services Sakura." Fujitaka wavered the thought of letting Syaoran to stay.
"Dad, please. We can't just throw him back to the streets. He can stay in my room. He doesn't talk much and he won't bother anyone."
"This is really important to you?"
"Yes!"
"OK. He can't stay here indefinitely though. We have to turn him over the social services to find him a foster home sooner or later."
"Oh, he won't stay for long." I said sadly. I knew Syaoran was going to leave but I couldn't help liking him.
I wanted to tell Syaoran the good news so I went back to the living room. Apparently many things have happened since I left him with Touya. Both Touya and Syaoran were arm wrestling each other on the table. It wasn't pretty. Both opponents' face were red with exertion. Syaoran had the upper hand and was about to win the contest until he saw me. While he was momentarily distracted, Touya slammed Syaoran's wrist on the table harshly and claimed the win.
"Syaoran! Are you alright?"
He nodded and sat down at the couch again rubbing his hand.
"Ah ha! I won! Best 3 out of 5, brat?" Touya shouted in joy.
"No thanks. Allowing you to win is tiring."
"What!? You're just afraid." Touya glared at Syaoran.
"Li, you can stay with us."
"What!? No, he can't." Touya screamed. "Dad, he can't stay!"
"It's already decided Touya." Fujitaka replied with calmness.
Syaoran stood up and bowed to Fujitaka.
"Your kindness will be repaid in full. Ask me anything and if it is within my power, I will fulfill it."
"Oh, think nothing of it, Li."
"Dad, please..." Touya wasn't happy that Syaoran was staying with us. I stood up and stomped on his feet. He screamed in agony and clutched his foot. He spoke no more.
"C'mon Li. I'll show you my room where you'll be staying."
"What!? I..." I stopped Touya from screaming another protest by stomping on his other foot. I led Syaoran upstairs to my room. Kero was flying around the room. He stopped when he saw Li and immediately dropped to the floor like a stuffed toy. Syaoran picked up the tiny guardian and studied it.
"This is Keroberos? He looks like a stuffed toy." Syaoran commented. Upon hearing this insult, Kero came alive.
"I am NOT a stuffed toy!" Kero bit Li's index finger. In an attempt to free his finger from Kero's mouth, Syaoran waved his arm in every direction. I sweat dropped at the scene before me. Li freed his finger after a few minutes and studied the room. I decorated my room with pink wallpaper. The bed sheets were light fuchsia with tiny designs of sakura petals. I hoped Syaoran doesn't mind this pink theme I've got going.
"How is it Li?"
"Not bad Kinomoto. Um...you can call me Syaoran if you'll let me call you Sakura."
"Of course, Syaoran."
"Why is he here Sakura?" Kero asked. Obviously the guardian wasn't very fond of Syaoran. "And how did he know my name?"
"Syaoran will be staying with us for some time and he knows about the Clow cards."
Kero studied Syaoran with great interest. The guardian could feel something was out of place but he couldn't put his hand on it. I looked at my alarm clock and it read 4:45. Remembering my appointment with Tomoyo at 5:00, I excused myself.
"Syaoran, I have to meet a friend at 5:00. I'll be right back so don't go anywhere."
"I need to find some tools to fix my computer. Where can I find such things?"
"At the electronic store. I'll take you there tomorrow. Make yourself comfortable. I'll be right back. Bye."
I walked to the door and closed it. I have so much to tell Tomoyo!
