Disclaimer: I'll just stop writing this. Y'all should get the idea by now…
~Many thanks to the following for their wonderful reviews!~
Dragonstar03
MegamiNoHikari
MellyL
Kawaii-CherryWolf
Talker
BlakBluNailPolish45
Winged Guardian
Sakura-Star-66
*A/N*~ Eh. Sorry if this story's been kind of messy. The second chapter came out all wrong and this thing's just all over the place right now. I'll try to keep everything a little cleaner.
Enjoy the story! -^o^-
{::::::::::::: Kiss A Dragon… :::::::::::::}
by- Raureru
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
One girl… taken from everything she loves… finds herself in strange new surroundings…
… but little does she know…
… an unfulfilled destiny awaits her…
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=Chapter 3~ In This New World…=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
"Well. Finally awake, are we?"
In the doorway stood a little red man. He wore an old green cloth with a rope tied around his thick waist. Curly gray hair grew on his stubby legs, chest, and shoulders, whereas the top of his large head was shiny and hairless.
"AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
The short creature quirked a brow. "Come now. Is that any way to say hello?" His voice was old and gruff.
"I-I'm sorry. You just surprised me." Sakura eyed him up and down. "What are you?"
"Ah, forgive me. I am-" He paused in and wrinkled his nose. "Do you smell something… burning?"
She sniffed the air. "Yeah…"
A feminine shriek echoed in the next room, followed by a series of "oh no!"s and the clashing of iron kettles and shattering stone. Foul smoke streamed through the air and Sakura was forced to hold her nose. She wasn't at an angle where she could see what the commotion was about and decided not to look. She felt much safer on the bed. The little old creature on the other hand, did different.
"Not again," he mumbled. He ran into the room where Sakura couldn't see him.
She heard his voice. "Good heavens! Meiling, child! What do you think you're doing?!"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to. It just caught fire and-" came the voice of a perky female.
"Sorry? Feh! You stink up my house and you say you're sorry?!"
"I thought I'd fix up a little something as a surprise."
"I told you to wait until I got back, you foolish girl!"
"Ugh, you're so ungrateful. I was just trying to be helpful!
"By nearly killing us with your cooking? You can hardly boil water!"
"How would you know if it'd kill you or not? You haven't even tried it!"
"I can barely stand the smell! I'm surprised our guest hasn't fallen dead to the ground!"
"You mean she's awake?"
"You were here at home and you didn't know?"
"Oh, why do I even bother! It's no wonder you don't have a wife. You're a stubborn old man!"
"Bah! What do you know? Now to do something about this smell…"
"Watch your back, old man. Some day when you least expect it-"
"Oh, hush. The girl is in the living space, listening to all of your wining."
"I'm wining? I'm wining indeed!"
"Indeed you are. Now, don't be rude. Go greet the girl. And don't scare her either. She looks a bit uneasy."
"Fine…"
A girl walked out into the "living space" and stood before Sakura. Sakura's eyes widened as she recognized her from before. Memories of the crow swam through her head as she studied her. She had same ruby eyes, the same liquid raven hair, the same big black wings grown neatly under her shoulders. Yet the expressionless face she wore the first time they met was gone. Sakura was sure they were the same person, though this time, she found her presence much warmer.
"Hello." She spoke through a smile.
"Y-you. You're the one who brought me here, aren't you?" Sakura stammered.
"That I am."
"Wh-where am I?"
"You are in Filgaia, world of dreams."
"Filgaia… so this all must be a dream, right?"
"Wrong. Just because it's the world of dreams doesn't mean that it actually is one." She said, holding up her index finger in a matter-of-fact manner.
"But, it has to be. All this isn't possible."
"Oh, but it is."
Sakura still wasn't very convinced, but she proceeded with her questioning. "Can you take me home?"
"No, I'm afraid I can't."
"But you brought me here! Why can't you?"
"I was unconscious for all of it. I don't know the way."
"Wha-"
"I was being used as a puppet." She looked at the confused expression on Sakura's face and chuckled. "I guess this is all going too fast for you. It will take time for you to adjust to this place. I'll explain later."
"Um… alright."
There was silence between the two. Sakura fiddled with her starchy sheets as the other girl looked off in a foreign direction. There was only the sound of the little old man cleaning and stacking in the kitchen. The girl turned to Sakura.
"I should introduce myself," She put on a warm face and stuck out her hand. "I'm Meiling."
"Sakura Kinomoto. Nice to meet you." She hesitantly placed her hand in the other girl's and shook it.
"Meiling!" The old man came waddling out of the kitchen. "You're going to have to clean up the rest. I can't seem to hold my own in there with that horrible smell lingering."
"Gennai, you old fool! You can't do anything!" She spat.
"It's your mess. And let's not forget that I'm the one letting you stay here."
She stomped into the kitchen, but not before giving the old man a slap on his bald head. The man seemed used to it however.
"You two really know each other, huh?" Sakura blurted.
"Yes. We've known each other longer than you could imagine." He crookedly sat himself on the old rocker chair by the bed.
"So your name is-"
"Gennai. Gennai of the dwarves. The oldest of the lot of 'em." Gennai flashed a large, proud smile.
"You're a dwarf?" Sakura choked. "This is a dream, isn't it?"
The flames of ancient knowledge flickered in his old wise eyes. "How could it be,… when you are only able to dream about the dragon?"
Shock overcame her. "H-how did you know about that?!"
"I can see into your very soul, Sakura. The things you keep bottled up inside you become the most visible. That is why you must become stronger during your stay here. The demons can smell your fear."
"Demons? You're joking…"
"No." Gennai made a mental note to keep from saying things that might overwhelm her.
She hung her head and twirled her fingers in her sheets. Her bangs fell over her eyes as she hoarsely whispered, "Where's my father?" She lifted her face and her determined eyes met a worried Gennai. "Where's Tomoyo?! Where's big brother?!"
"They are not here…"
"Will I ever see them again?!" Gennai was silent. "Say something! Please!! GENNAI!!" She clenched her teeth as tears balled up in the corners of her eyes. Gennai only looked at her, with a face that was almost sorrowful. "So that's it," her voice was barely audible. "I'll never see them again…"
"That's not necessarily true."
"You mean I can see them?"
"You will eventually."
"Eventually?" she groaned. "But-"
"You were brought to Filgaia for a reason. You must serve your purpose here before you can return to your world."
Her eyes fell. " What do I have to do here?"
"That is something I don't have the knowledge to answer."
"How am I supposed to serve my purpose…. If I don't know what it is?"
"Ah, but that's why we are journeying to Soundria, the bottom of the world. The Southern Oracle resides there. She'll give you the answers to all your questions."
"An oracle." She whimpered.
=+=+=+=+=
"Come on out, Sakura!"
Only two hours after discovering where she was, Gennai and Meiling demanded that she come with them to the midyear fair. (*A/N*~ How considerate…) The midyear fair was an annual event, as explained by Meiling. People from all over Filgaia came to Moiré, the dwarf town, which happened to be the town they were in. With them they brought many foreign things and beasts and sold them at the best prices. There would be musical entertainment and dancing, and plenty of food. Meiling promised Sakura that it would be lots of fun. So apparently, she shoved Sakura into one of her best dresses for the occasion.
"Do I really have to wear this?" she poked her head out from behind the kitchen wall. The kitchen was the only place to change aside from the living room.
"Yes! You do! Now get yourself out here so I can see." Meiling gestured for her to come forward.
"But-"
"Now!"
Sakura hesitantly stepped out of the stone kitchen. The dress she wore was a lush lemon color, and ended in beautiful ruffles. The sleeves were short and puffy, frilled lace lined the ends. A large bow was tied around her delicate waist and her legs were wrapped in dozens of creamy ribbons, the extra lengths flowed from the knots tied high on her thighs. On her feet were comfortable white shoes, plain yet elegant. The outfit itself wasn't extremely showy, but she wore it well. The dress reminded her of all the costumes Tomoyo would make for her, which earned a depressed sigh out of Sakura.
"You look wonderful!" She squealed.
Sakura felt sick. Everything had been so sudden, and all she wanted to do was go home. The dress she was forced to wear sure didn't help either.
"Why can't I just wear my normal clothes?" She pouted.
"Because you'd look like a fool. You want to blend in, don't you?"
"So this is what you guys wear?" She lifted one of her layers of skirts and peered at it in curiosity.
"Yup! And you're going to have to get used to the fashion sense here. It's nothing like where you come from."
Gennai, who was fiddling with one of his many charms, turned to face Sakura. He pushed his small glasses to the end of his nose for a better look. "I have to admit… It looks far better on you than it did on Meiling."
Meiling slapped him on the back of his head. "Shut up, old man! You wouldn't know good looks if it knocked on your front door!"
"I'd know if it was a screaming banshee." He mumbled.
Sakura giggled at their antics. Regardless of her current situation, the humor in all this couldn't escape her.
'Maybe this won't be so bad.'
=+=+=+=+=
Sakura took the first step outside and her breath was immediately taken away. The outdoors warmly greeted her with a bright periwinkle sky. In the sky hung two great white orbs, which looked down upon a busy old-fashioned town. The town was flooded with people, people with horns, short people, tall people, people with wings, pointy ears, giant fangs, tails, goat legs, and many things out of the ordinary. All of them happily chatting amongst themselves, visiting the old wooden carts which were parked on the cobblestones, trading and purchasing strange goods which Sakura had never seen. She could hear the merry playing of the flute along with the rustling of coins. Beyond the town was a row of big beautiful hills. Her green eyes sparkled at the little piece of this foreign world before her as it became very clear that she had stepped into the fair.
"C'mon!" Meiling excitedly grabbed Sakura's arm and pulled her into the streets. "You haven't seen anything yet!"
Sakura was speechless as they saw a tall lanky man carrying a dragon-like creature by a leather leash. The animal was small and bronze with only four limbs, two legs and two thumbed wings. People were gathered around it, stirring up conversation with its owner and patting the adorable thing on its fragile head. Sakura became rather curious. She tugged on Meiling's sleeve to earn her attention.
"What's that?" she said while pointing to the creature.
"Oh, that? That's a wyvern. They're closely related to dragons. They're more common but it's not every day you see one. That one there's still young. It'll eventually get larger."
Sakura was fascinated. "Are there any dragons here?"
"Are you kidding?" Meiling laughed. "Some people go through their whole life without seeing one dragon."
"Oh…" she took that as a 'no'. "Have you ever seen a dragon, Meiling?"
Hearing this question caused Meiling's mind to go blank. The life drained from her eyes and her big smile became a mere line. "Yes, I have…"
"Really?! When?"
She looked up to the sky as the wind wove through her bangs. "It was… a long time ago…" It was as if she were searching the clouds for a memory.
"Um… Meiling?" Sakura waved a hand in front of her face. Meiling snapped out of her trance with an "oh!".
"Y'know, there's lots of other beasts here if you want to go see them."
"You mean just like that wyvern?"
"Yup. And there are some much greater."
"Let's go see them!" Her face became animated and her shining orbs glimmered with excitement.
Meiling smiled. "Alright. The musical entertainment doesn't start until later tonight anyway." She was glad Sakura found everything so exciting. She had expected lots of crying and maybe a nervous breakdown, but Sakura had taken to this in such a calm matter, or at least as calm as you could get after being kidnapped.
They turned to continue down the road of mobile shops. "The cages are down this way." Sakura impatiently followed her, trying to look as casual as she possibly could. She'd occasionally glance over at the strange objects on the carts as she passed them by. Meiling looked over her shoulder.
"You know, Sakura, you- OOF!" She had walked straight into someone, the impact sent her flailing backwards.
A shrill "Hoe!" escaped Sakura as she was knocked to the ground with Meiling.
"Are you alright?" Came a masculine voice.
Sakura and Meiling looked up from their tangled position on the ground to see a tall young man with unruly charcoal hair looming over them. On his back were four white wings. They fanned out as his concerned face drew closer.
Sakura scrambled to her feet and gave him an apologetic bow. "We're fine. Sorry for being in your way." She might as well play it safe.
She glanced down at Meiling, who was drooling as she gazed up at the boy's handsome face. At last she got up and pushed Sakura aside.
"Why don't you just go ahead, Sakura."
"But-"
"Please? I'll catch up with you." She pushed her in the direction of the cages. "It's down that way." Sakura turned to look at Meiling's anxious face.
"Fine…" she half grumbled. After several steps she looked back to see Meiling continuously flirting with the butterfly boy, batting her eyelashes and flashing her feathery wings. Sakura rolled her eyes. At least now she knew what type of girl she was.
She continued down the road in the direction which Meiling guided her. She fiddled with her dress, trying to ignore the looks the townspeople gave her. Did she look odd? What did they think of her? Was she walking funny? It was impossible to tell. She wasn't quite sure how to act and what to say and she felt rather uncomfortable walking alone in this new place. She could here some of the townspeople talking behind her.
"Who's that girl?----" she heard someone say.
"I've never seen her before----" 'Of course he hasn't.'
"Nice dress. 'Suits her well----" 'A compliment?'
"She sure is pretty----" 'I'm pretty?'
"She's gorgeous! She'll make a perfect wife for my nephew----" 'Wife? I'm only thirteen! Better start walking faster…'
"Oh! She's getting away. I have to ask her for her name----"
And with that, Sakura picked up her pace. She broke into a run as she saw a skinny lady walking toward her out of the corner of her eye. She heard a "wait!" as she found refuge in a small crowd.
"That… was… close." She panted. Apparently she lost the woman.
She lifted her head and saw that the people were gathered around what resembled a stable, supported by cherry wood with a roof embedded with hay. Sakura pushed to the front of the litter and gasped. There, tied to the posts, were three beautiful pale beasts. Their long white manes glistened as they shook their graceful necks. They would have looked like horses if it weren't for the long silver horns at their foreheads.
"Unicorns!" She yelled. She could hardly believe her eyes.
"That they are, miss." A man approached her. "Caught 'em with me own hands, I did." His voice was half muffled by the piece of straw in his mouth. Sakura was a bit thrown off by his accent.
"So they're yours?" she seemed interested enough.
He answered with a simple "Yup."
"Oh, please, can I touch them?"
"Sure yeh can." He stroked one of them gently behind the ear. "Jus' pet 'em be'ind the ears. They like it under th'chin, too." His turned to the unicorn, who was rather enjoying itself. "Doncha, boy?"
Sakura walked up to the unicorn on the right end. A little scared at first, she lightly scratched it behind its twisted ear. It tilted its head and dropped its ear as a signal for her to move further back. After the unicorn had taken its pleasure, it whinnied and playfully nuzzled her hand. Sakura giggled a bit at its actions.
"She seems teh have took a likin' to yeh." The man said. "I'll give ya one if yeh want." (A/N~ Sorry if the way he talks is a little confusing!)
"You mean it?" She grinned anxiously.
"Ah, but at eh price." He gave her a wink.
"Sorry. I don't have any money."
"Y'don't need money, m'dear." He lowered his voice. "All yeh need to do is git yer pretty lil self o'er to me home fer t'night. Then y'can have any one yeh want." A crooked smile crept across his face.
Sakura nearly gagged. Gathering her many skirts, she turned and ran as fast as her feet could carry her, away from the crazy man and his unicorns. Luckily, he didn't seem to notice. Not even four hours into time in this strange new world, and she felt like everyone was after her. Her stomach churned as she thought of things that made her very homesick, and her cheery mood disintegrated. She slowed her pace and solemnly strolled through the busy streets. The smell of the strange food on the passing carts found its way to her nostrils, as did the scent of a manticore's rusty cage. The manticore sparked a tiny interest in Sakura, with its large lion body and its deadly scorpion tail. However, she was in no position to be excited about anything, no matter how odd or magical it was. A deep sigh escaped her and she walked on, when she came to the largest crowd in the fair.
Hundreds of people could be seen whispering and pushing their way to the front. Young children had even gathered on the cottage roofs to get a clear view of the wondrous attraction that had not yet reached Sakura's eager eyes. Then, a loud 'Roooaaaaaaarrrr!!!!' ripped though the sky and echoed off the walls of the town. The crowd gasped in unison and Sakura staggered backwards.
The suspense much too great, her curiosity pulled her into the noisy crowd. And after finding a tiny gap between two fat men, she hastily squeezed her way to the front. The sight that greeted her almost caused her to faint.
There, in the ring of attention, was a dragon. With it were twenty or so men dressed in old, worn armor, who were trying to bind it with large chains. They dug their feet into the ground and they hung on with all their might, trying to force the dragon to the ground, but their attempts were in vain. The dragon bucked and roared, snapping it's sharp teeth savagely at its captors. It snarled at the sweaty men as it hoisted several of them up into the air and threw them into the screaming crowd. The dragon coiled its neck and bellowed in triumph. The reinforcements were brought in without hesitation.
At the sound of a whistle, twenty more men rushed in and tackled it, grabbed its chains, and began to securely hammer them to the ground. The dragon swiped at them with its iron claws and flapped its onyx wings, but it did no good. The men whipped at it mercilessly as it lifted its head roared into the sky in pain, the crackling sound echoed into the hills. The barbed whip tore through the dragon's honey scales and dark blood trickled from the open wounds. The dragon could do nothing more than shriek and lash its long tail hopelessly about. Its slitted amber eyes were sad and angry, its chestnut mane was matted with foul, crimson liquid.
Sakura became nauseous at the sight of the blood. But one look into those eyes and she recognized the creature… It was---…
…
The dragon from her dreams…
=+=+=+=+=
Meanwhile at the Kinomoto household…
"Where IS SHE?!" Touya furiously punched the living room wall.
Fujitaka sat on the very edge of the sofa, his face buried in his hands. Underneath those hands he hid a frustrated and sorrowful expression. He lifted his head to meet the sight of his rampaging son. "Touya… calm dow-"
"Calm down? CALM DOWN?!" He spoke through his clenched teeth. "My sister has gone MISSING! She could be anywhere! She could've run away! She might've gotten herself kidnapped or… brainwashed! Some pervert could've run off with her! We don't have a damn clue where she is!"
It was obvious that his feelings toward Sakura's disappearance were still fresh, even if the horrible news came two weeks ago. This only caused Fujitaka to become more upset.
"Touya…" his voice was hoarse and his face was sincere. "Do you think Sakura would want this? She hates seeing you act the way you are now."
"What good will it do?! She's GONE! What if she's DEAD?!"
"Touya…" Fujitaka solemnly shook his head as his sad eyes became moist.
"I'll never see her again!" He spun around and threw an angry fist at the wall, the sound of crackling bones and breaking plaster caused Tomoyo, who was sitting uncomfortably on the love seat, to wince. Fujitaka could only look helplessly over at his son. Touya fell to his knees, kneeling before the large dent he made. "Never…" he repeated.
Tomoyo had to keep herself from screaming out of all the guilt. Sure, she knew exactly what happened to Sakura. But were they supposed to believe that she was carried away by some… bird woman? How? How were they supposed to believe her? Tomoyo bit down on her lower lip as tears silently fell down her cheeks. What if Sakura was dead? They could have done anything to her… oh, the possibilities were just too horrible to imagine.
"Mr. Kinomoto," she squeaked. Fujitaka shifted his weary gaze to her trembling form.
"What is it?" he croaked.
"I think I should I go home. You two look like you should be alone and-"
"Agreed," he sounded almost irritated. "It's been a long day for us all."
"Right," She slowly got up, her eyes bore fresh tears. "Goodbye." Fujitaka made no response.
She gently closed the door to the grieving house. Nothing like this had ever happened to the Kinomotos before and Tomoyo felt most responsible. Would things have been different if she asked Sakura to come with her that day after school, instead of having her wait outside? Or if she had just gotten their school things a little faster then maybe… No. It wouldn't help to dwell on her past mistakes. But she knew it was her fault and she let Sakura slip through her very fingers. What's more is that she couldn't tell anyone the truth without being thought of as a fool. What was she to do? She didn't know how much longer she could hold it in.
She awkwardly walked along sidewalk until the Penguin Park came into view.
'Sakura…' Her teary amethyst depths scanned the penguin slide as memories of an auburn-haired girl raced through her head. She remembered how much Sakura loved to stand up there and gaze into the woods, hoping that she would see her dragon spring out of the treetops to greet her. Now, it was Tomoyo's turn to dream.
She stood atop the penguin slide touching the place on the plastic crown where Sakura's hand would always be, and watched the mysterious woods in her place. A gentle wind played with her dark hair and whistled through the evergreen trees. Only this time, she was waiting for a lost friend, and she hung onto that last string of hope.
'I might not know where you are, Sakura, but somehow, I know you'll come back…
And wherever you might be…
I hope you find your dragon.'
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
*A/N*~ Hope this chapter was better than the last! I've just been having so much trouble with my computer lately. I have so many viruses I could swear that someone's out to get me. I haven't been able to get into my e-mail either. Damn hackers… .
Don't forget to leave a review!
-^o^- Raureru -^o^-