Disclaimer: The series Card Captor Sakura does not belong to me.
Rei Eien: Awwww~~~!! I love your review!! Eriol... he's... somewhere. Maybe. Yeah. Sure... Umm... *goes away*
Kaji Hikage: Spiffy is such a cool word. *Yeah!*
(Anonymous): I updated! Yah!
Jared: So glad you're still sticking with this fic! \^o^/
RuByMoOn: The E+S will come in, I promise you that. Hee!
moon smurf: :-P *laughs* You happy? ^^ Updated! Eriol in it? Ehh.... *goes away, too*
Elizabeth: Coolies! Umm... Was this soon enough, too???
Elle-poohbear: Awwww! Yay!!! I'm so glad you reviewed and told me you liked it. ^^ Makes me feel soooo special!
;): Yeah, poor Syaoran. Don't worry about him. He'll be fine. I hope...
Magie: When I started this and it continued on, I started to realize what a great original story it would make... I felt so sad, because I REALLLLYY then started to want to write an original. Too late now. It's not gonna be original anymore. *laughs* You have good stamina, to be able to read so much at one time... ten chapters.. @_@ I LOVE YOU!!!
Winged Guardian: I updated! Love me!! *laughs*
Gigicerisier: Hehe. More answers are given in this chapter. Thanks for reviewing! Review again!! ^________^
Chapter Eleven: To See Too Much
Day 17 - Shadow World
Syaoran felt himself shuffle his arms a bit as his eyes slowly opened, yet he saw nothing. Sensing around slightly with his hands, he managed to pick up that he was at least shoved into the cave already, and there were no sources of light anywhere. He sat up, and ruffled his fingers through his hair, wondering what he was supposed to do here. People died after coming here to Solitary, after all, Syaoran thought to himself. So it must be something BIG... And I'm just dead meat waiting for it to come.
Standing up, Syaoran looked around, and wrapped his arms around himself when he felt a chill go through him. And now would be another good time for me to have my magic with me. UNfortunately, I do not. My sword is gone, and my scrolls have been stripped from me. What in the world am I going to do when... when... I don't even want to think about it.
He started to walk in reverse, backing up a bit into whatever he could, so that Syaoran would at least know that there was at least a wall somewhere in this pitch black location. He held his hands up in a position to defend himself, just in case anybody, or anything, was going to come rush up at him. If only he had learned enough to sense through, even in the dark. But that takes time, and he had not yet finished all of his training yet. Just as Sakura had not mastered her techniques with her own cards. She's got it down, but mastering something is hard, and takes many, many years. Like Clow Reed... Syaoran thought.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps walking up to him. Turning around, Syaoran narrowed his eyes, and was about to strike. He had not truly recovered completely from the last brawl he was in, but he still had enough in him to give the person walking up towards him a good match. When Syaoran's fist moved forward, a bright light flashed around the room, causing him to flinch. Opening his eyes slowly, he quickly pulled his hand back, which was inches away from the person's face.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Day 17 - Shadow World
"Tomoyo?!" Syaoran yelled, his fist so close to her face that he could feel her breath on it. The cave had suddenly lit up with light, but Syaoran just ignored it. Hastily, he pulled it back, and stared at her in an incredulous look. She was wearing her school uniform, and she smiled at him. Seeing her face, Syaoran found himself gaining a sense of deja vu in him again. Shaking his head to clear his mind, he looked back at her, narrowing his eyes a bit. "Okay. Never mind. Who are you?"
Suddenly, she grinned slightly, and walked up to him. Her smile widened more when she saw him trying to back up from her. "Hello, Syaoran," she whispered. There was a strange glint in her eyes, and her lips were curved up in a not-so-comforting smile. Syaoran held his arms up, wanting to fight her, but not knowing if he really wanted to hurt her or not.
But she is not Tomoyo, he thought to himself. So... Stomping up to her instead of backing away, Syaoran took her by the collar, and pulled her up slightly. "Okay. Tell me how to get out of here, before I knock your head until it starts to seriously spin around, lady." Seeing her shake her head, Syaoran rolled his eyes, and socked her in her stomach. He winced when he heard her fall, gasping for breath. Even if she wasn't Tomoyo, she still sounded like his friend, and that freaked him out a bit.
Standing back up, she staggered a bit, but walked back up to the boy. Syaoran was about to give a high kick, when she suddenly stopped his leg with one hand, just seconds before it reached her face. Smirking, she twisting his leg, causing him to twirl and fall to the ground. Picking himself back up, Syaoran struck out once more, when she blocked with her hand again as well. After that, for each blow he gave, she defended, a smile still on her face. But as this continued on for longer than the two of them suspected, Tomoyo started to move back, and her face showed that she was starting to struggle against his attacks.
She narrowed her eyes, and sucked in a short breath before she uppercut him on the chin. Syaoran scowled as he rubbed the stinging bottom part of his face for a second, then kicked her away from him. He stared at Tomoyo, his eyes wide at what was going on. It was hard to even try to believe that Tomoyo could be doing this right now, fighting as if she were an expert, and not holding up a camera like what she usually does.
All of a sudden, Tomoyo walked back up to Syaoran. She held her hand out straight at him, with Syaoran responding by narrowing his eyes and clenching his hands into fists one more time. Unexpectedly, he started to hear a voice in his head, piercing his mind like a needle. Remember me... it crooned to him, causing him to clutch his head in pain. Looking up, Syaoran saw Tomoyo walking closer. Yet with the pain in him, he did not try to stop her at all as he staggered around.
Taking in short gasps of breath, Syaoran found himself struggling so hard to stay stable that he was sweating. He cringed and recoiled away when he felt two hands brush against his face, holding him. Then, the deja vu feeling came back, and he started to see images in his mind. He remembered lips on his own, how temptation took over. How he had lost his mind for that split second, costing him everything that he had believed in, and he then found himself defying... Oh, Sakura! he realized. Oh, my God, Sakura... Closing his eyes, he felt himself giving in to the pain, not wanting to even think about what he had just discovered. I'm so sorry... I can't believe it. I'm so very sorry... And he passed out, Tomoyo's hands still on his face as he vaguely felt her lips brush against his for the slightest second.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Day 15 - Shadow World
Sakura raised an eyebrow when she saw the clothing that they gave her, which she was currently wearing since she had nothing else. Sighing, she closed her eyes, and drew a blanket over her shoulders in the room they had provided her with. Currently, she was sitting on the bed, which was just a soft mattress on the ground. Around her, the room was set alight with torches all around. The room was also decorated with shields and images painted onto the walls.
Sakura was wearing a long, sleek dress of ebony color. Even though it was sleek, the dress was of a solid fabric, so not much was shown. Her sleeves were layered about four or five times, outlined in a white strand of cloth each time. The neckline was made of a long collar, and covered half of her throat. Tiny beads were sewed in, a line of them wavering from the collar down to her chest. The dress flowed down, touching the ground as it curls out. Sakura shifted around a bit, frowning as she drew the sheet closer to herself, feeling it wrap around her contently.
The bath had been comforting, but it still did not cleanse nor fill her of the dark hole in her heart. She clenched her hands onto the blanket, wishing that this warmth would expand to her inside, when a thought came to her mind. Why am I not escaping right now? The women don't really seem to mind, and they haven't told me what I'm supposed to do while I'm here. I'm sure that I can slip through them or something, and then just search for an exit.
Slowly, she got up, left the blanket by the bed, and put on a pair of shoes that they provided as well. She silently then walked out of the room. The next cave opening next to hers was filled with laughter and chatter of women, who were probably the ones who had tended to her. Sakura, deciding that it might to be too risky, walked the opposite way to that cave, listening to see if anybody was coming as she crept along the torch-lit halls.
Holding her clenched hand to her chest, Sakura found herself at a fork in the passageways. First turning to her right, she stopped a few seconds later. Taking a few steps to the left, Sakura stopped once more, biting her lip while she agonized over which direction to go to. Shaking her head, Sakura felt herself slump a bit when she couldn't decide on which direction to choose. Closing her eyes, Sakura just then ran off on the right, trying her best to not turn back and try to choose the left way.
Suddenly, Sakura felt an arm wrap around her waist, pulling to the sides of the rocky walls. The person then covered her mouth with his second hand, causing her to go into a bit of a frenzy. She clawed at the person's arm, to hear him hiss into her ear. "Stop that, lady! Stop that this instance!" With those words, the person let her go, and Sakura swerved around to find herself face-to-face with Haeli. Sakura's face instantly changed to a bright red color as she backed up away from the female just a few years older than her, ashamed of herself.
"What were you planning to do?" Haeli demanded, anger rising up in her face. "Do you know what would happen if somebody else, for instance, a soldier, caught you instead of I?! You would have lost your life, or even worse, if such a thing occurred! There is no way out of these caves without the knowledge of the layout, lady. Those who try to escape end up dying because they get lost."
"I... I need to find Eriol," she insisted. "Even if he is..." she tried to swallow a lump inside of her throat, and forced the words out of her mouth. "Even if he is dead, I want to find him. I can't just leave him there... I can't..."
Sighing, Haeli shook her head, a bit of anger gone from her eyes. She grasped a hold on Sakura's arm as a comforting move, and watched as the girl broke down in front of her. Sakura fell to the ground, hugging her knees as she let her tears loose once more. It had been less than a day since she was brought her, and she wanted nothing more than to see Eriol again. "I am sorry, lady," Haeli said apologetically, kneeling down next to her. "I cannot bring you anywhere until Lord Vequal sees you. We do not know what he wishes to do with you, only that you must go. After that, and if everything is all right, then maybe I can bring you back to find him, yes..."
Looking at Haeli, Sakura mumbled through her tears, "And when will that be?"
"No less than a few days, probably," Haeli admitted. Seeing the hope drain from her eyes once more, Haeli moved in and gave her an affectionate hug. "There is nothing more you can do, lady. I understand how hard it must be for you, how much you have lost. In a way, you probably do not perceive just how much you have lost."
"How can you be so kind to me, when you hardly know me at all?" Sakura asked her, holding onto Haeli as if she were a lifeline. "You met me probably just a few hours ago, and here you are, treating me as if I am an important friend of yours."
Stroking her hair, the female smiled. "I have been acknowledged of being too kind, so others say, easily believing that everyone is good when I first meet them. You are fortunate to have caught me on a good side. Now come. We must clean up your face once more. It would do you no good to be seen in such a manner." Wiping a tear off of Sakura's face, Haeli advised, "One must be noble, or look as if one is. To show weakness is dangerous in front of Lord Vequal. So you must act untouched by his actions, and show him that it did not bring you down. Be strong."
"Can't I just be dead instead?" Sakura whimpered, though she let Haeli pull her up to her feet.
"Good heavens, no!" Haeli laughed. "If you do that, then all hope will truly be lost. Keep your head up high, lady. It proves to be a useful factor in times of darkness. Losing it most definitely does no good at all. Now, truthfully, you must come with me to be cleansed once more. I cannot have you stall any longer. If I do not fix you up in time, Lord Vequal will not be pleased one bit. And though I am extremely and admittedly fascinated by you, I do not wish to anger my lord any more than he probably already is with how long it is taking."
Biting her lip, Sakura's eyes lowered to the ground, and she followed her new found friend down the halls back to the washing room where she was pushed into when she first got here.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Day 17 - Shadow World - Realm of the Minds
She took in a long, contenting breath, and smirked as she opened her eyes. Ah... do you feel comfortable? she asks perkily. After all, not one gets to sleep as well as you. Or as much as you, really, she laughed. Looking around, she fingered a small object in her hands. I told you that I would be back, you know. And as you can see, I am here. *Chuckle.* How wonderful to see you again, yes. But... her expression changed to a more serious one. You are hiding from me again. Hearing no answer, she shrugged. Okay then. I can wait. Waiting is fun. Let us see how long you will be able to last when the world you have entered right now is not one of something that you understand so very well.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Day 22 - Shadow World
Looking around, Sakura agonized over the fact that she had no done anything in a week. She sat and slept in this room, waiting for something to happen. ANYTHING to happen. She yearned to go back to the desert and look for Eriol, considering how there was nothing to do here. She itched to get out. Besides, that Lord Vequal dude had not even come to see her at all for these past days. She highly doubted that he would at all.
Sakura had attempted a few more times to escape. But each and every time, one of the women who tends to her would find her, and bring her back, scolding her that it was dangerous to wander off. Rolling her eyes, Sakura nodded her head, even though she knew about it and all.
Closing her eyes, Sakura grabbed a hold of the necklace wrapped around her throat. This is the last thing that Eriol ever fixed for me. He put it back together, and helped me put it back on... Oh, Eriol. I miss you... She curled up into a ball, and held onto her knees as she felt the pain coming back into her. Suddenly, peering out of the room, she saw Haeli pass by, and got up. Running to her, Sakura shouted, "Haeli! Haeli! Wait up!"
The female turned around, staring at her. "Oh, lady. What is the matter?"
Getting to Haeli, Sakura clutched her sleeves, the pained expression still on her face. "Please, Haeli. Please take me back to where my friend was shot. Please! Lord Vequal isn't even doing anything. I probably won't have to even SEE him for a while. Just... Just please!!!" Sakura cried, tears starting to come back to her once more as she fell to her knees, begging the girl. "Please bring me there! I can't take it anymore."
Kneeling down, Haeli took Sakura's face into her hands. She gave a short smile for Sakura, and nodded her head. "Come," she whispered, taking Sakura's hands and pulling her up. "If we leave now and make it back by a few hours, nobody should see the difference." With those words, Haeli took Sakura down a different hall. Closing her eyes, Sakura mumbled a small thanks to Haeli, finally glad that she would be searching for Eriol.
But it has been a WEEK. How can I expect him to be there by now? I should have gone the day that I left his side. That way... I'd at least have a much better chance of... Oh, no. I can't think like that right now. If I find him, and he's... At least I'll find him again even so. At least...
She clenched her hand to her chest, not knowing what she could do when she would find him anyway. Minutes later, Sakura found herself walking towards an opening of the caves, with sunlight beaming in through. Her eyes widening, Sakura saw Haeli gesture to a horse, telling her to ride it. Getting on, Haeli then handed her a large cloak.
"It is an invisibility cloak. It will do well in case we get into trouble. I will lead the way, and you shall follow. But beware, lady, for if they discover you doing this, you will be in deep distress, and I do not know how I will be able to get you out of it. So understand as we are doing this right now, I am also risking my own life to help you."
Then, the two of them rode off into the desert, with the burning sun over their heads. Even though this kind of a climate was practically cooking Sakura's skin to a crispy red, she had never felt better in her entire life. Being away from the caves gave her a sense of relief, and she felt as if nothing could give her this moment ever again.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Day 18 - Shadow World - Realm of the Minds
She sat there, waiting. She felt him all around her, hiding, watching her, waiting for the perfect moment to escape her. But she would not let him do so. The minute that he appears, she would catch him, and take from him what she wanted all this time. Now that she was back in, she was NOT going to let him escape her grasp at all. Suddenly, Dtarna heard a question in his mind. A question that has bothered him ever since she had caught him into her hands. Smirking she looked around.
You wish to know what a Name is, do you not? she realized. Well, I suppose I can tell you know. There is no point in keeping it from you anymore, anyway. Clearing her thoughts, she closed her eyes, and started the explanation which he had sought for days. She laughed, thinking about the way he would react when he soon heard the entire thing.
A Name is something that all who lives in the Shadow World knows about, she started. It is a name that defines one's soul, and is the most important part of all that exists. A tree has a Name. A rock. An animal. She then grinned. And, most importantly, a person. For people-wise, a Name can only be given to those who it belongs to. In a way, it if one discovers another's Name, that tells the two that they are, well, soul mates. They belong to one another.
But, she continued, If a Name is discovered, then the person who discovers it can use it, or give it back to the one that they gain it from. If the person decides to keep the Name, then they keep the other person forever. And that... Dtarna takes a finger, and runs it on the floor, tracing images on the misty ground. That is what I wish to do. You shall belong to me, little wolf. I shall find your Name, and I will never give it back. For when one is owned by another by their Name, then all of them belongs to the owner.
She gets up, and smiles when she feels a cold draft coming in. He was getting scared. Nervous. He will break soon enough. And that, my dear, she whispered her final words, is what a Name is.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Day 22 - Shadow World
Sakura narrows her eyes, squinting as she tries to see where Haeli was taking her. Finally, she saw the horse in front of her coming to a stop, and Sakura pulled on the reins of her own steed. Halting, she jumped off, and ran up to Haeli. Seeing her nod her head, Sakura ran off, back to where she remembered the incident happened. But even before she got there, Sakura already saw that Eriol's body was nowhere to be seen. In a way, she was comforted by this thought, hoping that he had walked off looking for help. But another part of her was tortured of the thought if maybe a savage animal might have... NO!
She dug calmly at first on the ground, thinking happy thoughts, maybe finding him just sleeping there, all healed and everything. This thought reassured her for at the most five minutes, before it died away quickly. Then, desperation started to go through her, and she got up, looking at the hot environment that surrounded her all over. He was not walking around, she knew. He was not walking around her at all. He wouldn't surprise her, telling her that it was just a silly joke to scare her.
Staring around frantically, Sakura fell to the ground once more, and started to dig through the sand with a madness in her, making small crying sounds as she did. She soon obsessed over just scraping the sand away, thinking that if she did, she would find him, and that thought stuck to her. "Eriol. Eriol. Eriol..." she moaned, feeling the sand get stuck in her nails.
Sakura soon felt a hand on her shoulder, but she ignored it, and continued digging in the sand. A few minutes later, the hand started to shake her, telling her that it was all over. Sakura wanted to push Haeli away, but couldn't. Instead, she let out a choking sob, and slammed her fists onto the sand. "Damn you!" she cried, her lips dry and her voice hoarse from not drinking anything liquid. "Damn you, damn you, damn you..." Where ARE you?! Where in the world did you go, Eriol?!
"Lady..." Haeli whispered softly, urging her to get back up. "We must leave. It is time for us to get back, before anybody suspects that we might have left the caves to come out here to search for your beloved. Come, lady. We must be off."
Unconsciously, Sakura somehow got back on the horse, and she felt herself ride off, away from where Eriol's body should have been. She stared ahead, watching as the endless land of yellow sand continued to fill her sight. Turning her head slightly, Sakura watched as she slowly passed a slithering snake. She closed her eyes, and found that the darkness did not comfort her at all, so she opened her eyes back to the bright light instead.
"Lady..." Haeli started, staring at her. This time, instead of riding ahead, Haeli was side by side with her, watching her as she continued to not speak a word. "I am sorry, lady. Since he is not there, then might he have walked off..."
"We go back tomorrow," Sakura finally whispered, her throat a bit sore. She heard Haeli about to protest to that statement, and interrupted her before she could. "I have waited long enough, and I do not want to wait any longer. Because I didn't try to do a single thing in over a week, Eriol's body isn't even there anymore. If I had went a day after I was separated from he, he might've still been there. So now, I am going to go back, and I will go back until I find him again. If he is gone, then maybe he did walk off to somewhere else. We are going to come back, and search for him. I am not going to let a friend of mine just wander out here and die. And if his body is lying around here somewhere, then I am going to find it. And after I do," she turns to look at Haeli, and said one more statement before she rode off to leave Haeli behind, not caring if she was going the wrong way or not. "After I do find his supposedly dead body, I am going to rip your lord apart."
*~*~*~*~*~*
Nooooo! Eriol's not there. *grins in a silly way* Um... review? I'll... try to come out w/ the next chapter faster.