Dragon's Eye, Phoenix' Wing

Chapter 4

Chid didn't like Syaoran and Syaoran didn't like Chid that much either. Nevertheless they still left the couple alone and went off into the hall. Chid was no fool and neither was Syaoran and they both knew that the best person to protect Gaea from these strange invaders is the new dragon friend they had made.

Chid did not know that Syaoran was a Phoenix and therefore looked down at him. Syaoran knew everything there is to know about Chid and wasn't too respectful of him either. However they both kept their disagreements to themselves.

Chid took that day to realize that Syaoran was in fact younger than he was. When he had asked Syaoran's age, Syaoran looked at him as if wondering if it was a trick question and answered that he was eleven.

Chid thought Syaoran seemed too smart to be eleven, but since he was more intelligent then most people of his age himself he didn't complain. He found a lot of things wrong about Syaoran. He looked ugly. Syaoran looked like a skeleton. Chid pushed aside the thought that Syaoran was too skinny because what did he care? He thought that Syaoran's eyes look demonic. They are so large and golden. He thought that Syaoran's hands looked hard and tough, not like those of an eleven year olds. He thought Syaoran's face held a face of a traitor.

The two of them sat with Chid's guards together in silence in the room Syaoran had selected. It was a comfortable room, Chid had to admit. But being with that demon boy did not comfort him. The silence made it even worse.

Syaoran seemed to sense it because he stood up suddenly. He placed a tray of tea on the table. It took Chid a moment to realize that the tray wasn't there before.

" Talk of doom is rather depressing, don't you think?" Syaoran began. His voice startled Chid because it was very humane. " Not my idea of dying, but I guess it will have to do."
" What do you mean?" Chid asked, as Syaoran poured him a cup of tea and handed it to him. He tasted it. What kind of tea was this?
" Oh, just the enemy that you are here about in the first place." Syaoran answered, sitting down. " He'll be much more of an enemy then that old man you've been battling five years ago. That chap is a mortal who made himself live long. This one is immortal through and through."
" Immortal? You mean...like a god?" Chid was amazed.
" You didn't know?" Syaoran snorted. " I was wondering why you came to Fanelia in the first place. So, you didn't know! That's just as well, I guess. I shouldn't have expected you to know. But in any case he's a god, and not one of the gods you've been praying to. He killed many other gods." Syaoran fell silent.
" How do you know?" Chid asked suspiciously.
" I was there. Oh, you don't know. I am a god as well." Syaoran shifted and sipped his tea silently for a moment.

" It was a long time ago." He began silently. " I was in the immortal realm for about several months and things were looking bright then. And then the Dragons and the Phoenixes started gathering together more often. They looked at me and discussed things I did not understand."

Chid noticed that the other boy's expression began to grow dark and sorrowful.
" They were good guardians, the Dragons. The Phoenixes were too. They treated me with respect but never expected too much of me so I lived casually those few months. Several weeks later, after the dragons and the other gods met, Yoshan suddenly woke me up late at night. She told me that I had to get dressed quickly...that there was not much time. I didn't know what was wrong but I did as she said, and she hurried me out of my room...outside where the other phoenixes were."

" ' Can he fly?' One of them asked. Yoshan briefly chided him and lifted me up. I was so scared. Remember when your father died? The doubt and fear you felt? That's what I felt. I was afraid. Yoshan and the Phoenixes-there were about three of them that night that were there, they hurried me out of the palace and handed me over to the Dragons. Nina took me over and they never allowed me to walk for some reason."

Chid noticed a tear trickle down Syaoran's cheek as he spoke. His heart melted for the younger boy.

" They carried me to the mortal realm...it was the Mystic Moon, and they laid me in a dark cave covered with moss and hidden by bushes. They told me not to make a sound and to close my eyes. They told me they'll come back for me."

Chid saw tremors run along the other boy's body and swallowed uneasily.

" I closed my eyes," Syaoran swallowed, his voice steady and calm, " And then I knew nothing more. After several decades I awoke. I was in the cave. They never came for me. Weeks later I found out what happened to them and why they never came."

Chid had an idea what happened by Syaoran told him anyway.

" That blasted god killed them all." He looked at Chid with his liquid gold eyes. " That night they hid me because they wanted to save me. They didn't save any other child, and believe me, there were plenty at that time. They saved me alone because I was the one he wanted. That blasted god killed them all and I was the only one left. I don't know if there were any survivors. I just know that the ones that hid me are gone."

Chid swallowed uneasily and looked away.

" Tell me, tell me my lord," Syaoran suddenly pleaded, " Is this life worth living anymore?"

Chid was silent. He didn't know what to say.



" Iie." Hitomi answered Van. " Syaoran is probably going to use this as a chance, but he's not going to do this on purpose."
" Nani? What do you mean?" Van was confused.
" Syaoran's not going to kill himself until the Dark Phoenix is destroyed or at least he made sure Gaea is safe." Hitomi answered. " He knows that one way to rescue Gaea is to run to Earth, but then the Dark Phoenix would follow him there. He knows that the only way to save both worlds is to confront him close and personal."
" But then wouldn't he get killed himself? If the Dark Phoenix is so powerful-"
" Not necessarily." Hitomi answered. " First of all, he has a plan. That's why he told me to come. Second, he's a Dragon and a Phoenix. He has the powers of both and he doesn't know how to mingle them yet, but he could. Now is the question of time."

Van pondered on Hitomi's words for a long moment in silence. They were in his private quarters-the meeting had adjourned.

" How should we protect him?" Van asked.
" I don't know. I'll have to ask the cards, because Syaoran isn't too sure either." Hitomi answered.
" Then do so quickly." Van beckoned. " I would never forgive myself if it all ended like that."
" I know what you mean." Hitomi answered, nodding. " He suffered a lot through the years, and each year he was able to handle less and less."
" No wonder. He's only how many years old?"
" Eleven, physically and mentally."

Van swallowed. " He is still a child."
" Tell that to the Dark Phoenix. Who knows what he'll do to Syaoran. It wouldn't be a minor reason for him to look for the boy for so many years without stopping."

Van was silent for a long moment yet again and Hitomi lost herself into her thoughts.

Millerna rushed into the room.
" We have another Draconian!" She cried, totally frightened, " And a...a lion with wings!"
" Oh." Hitomi blinked. " That must be Yue and Kero-they were the only ones who survived but they wouldn't wake up anymore. I think Syaoran thought they were dead, but Syaoran would have sensed their auras by now. Don't be scared-Kero won't eat anything but cake and Yue doesn't eat at all...unless he's in his false form, anyway."

The Earthling girl stood up and followed the stunned princess out into the hall. Yue was sitting in a chair perfectly calm and Kero had turned into his false form and was looking around for someone he knew.
" Konnichiwa." Hitomi suddenly felt awkward. What could she say?

According to Syaoran and all his memories, Yue wasn't always friendly with strangers-correction: he was never friendly with strangers, and Syaoran had absolutely no idea why he was so nice to him during the last times. Hitomi had no more ideas then he did and felt extremely timid. She felt cowed because Yue had an ability to make himself look grand.

The Moon Guardian regarded her in silence for a long moment.
" I guess it had been many years, Sakura." He said.



Syaoran had gotten over his ' fit', as Chid would call it, and was not crying anymore. He wasn't even thinking about the past too much, and because of that brief period Chid dropped all the dissatisfactions he had of him and they quickly became good friends.

Syaoran admitted to the young lord that he was still not use to his powers because he had only been exposed to them for several months beforehand. He said that this could be a bad thing because the Dark Phoenix, who is the enemy, is several milliion years old and obviously has much more experience then he did, and the odds are quite frankly against them because although Syaoran felt sure he was more powerful, he was unable to tap into those powers.

Chid suggested that Hitomi might use the tarot cards to help him.
" After all," Chid explained, " She is psychic."
" That is what they are doing right now." Syaoran answered. " However, the tarot cards are inventions of mortals. They cannot help me much unless they are done by an immortal, perhaps. I asked Hitomi to bring the Sakura Cards and she has to know how to use them."
" Aren't you going to use them?" Chid asked.
" Well..." Syaoran blushed slightly and lowered his eyes. " I could. I know how to use them...but they were Sakura's."

Chid didn't understand.
" We were childhood friends." Syaoran told him softly. " We met when the Clow Cards, which are the Sakura Cards before, were released by fate. Sakura and I at first competed to capture the Clow Cards, but then I guess she sort of melted my heart somewhat. I let her capture the cards."
" Melted your heart?' Chid asked.
" When I was three," Syaoran began, " It was late at night, and I was asleep with my mother because that was how parents bond with their child. My father was on the other side and my mother had her arms around me. That night, under a pale moonlight, I saw something against the wall, and that sight frightened me so much I started crying and couldn't stop."

Chid listened quietly, hoping that Syaoran wouldn't fall into that fit again.
" My mother was holding me and trying to soothe me and my sisters were complaining about all the racket I was making. But my mother knew that I was afraid because my body was quivering. After many hours I was able to point one finger at the wall, and when my mother looked she said,
" Oh, that is only a Shadow, Syaoran.""

" That year my father died-or was simply gone. No one knew what happened to him. I was only three and I couldn't have possibly understood what that shadow meant. But after my father's death...I guess I changed somewhat. Sakura was the one that healed me."

Chid nodded to show that he understood.
" She melted my heart and I was able to feel emotions again. I failed the Final Judgment."
" The Final Judgment?"
" A judgment to prove the captor worthy of being the master." Syaoran answered. " It was done by the guardian Yue, who turned out to be one of Sakura's brother's friends, Yukito Tsukishiro. I learned from him that I loved Sakura. Sounds strange, doesn't it?"

Chid didn't reply.

" Afterwards...she died. Along with others-Eriol Hiriingaziwa, the reincarnation of the sorceror who created the cards, Clow Reed. Tomoyo Daidouji, Sakura's best friend. Eriol's two guardians, Ruby Moon and Spinel, were destroyed. The only ones left were Sakura's guardians, Yue and Kero, also died."
" Would I use her cards after that?" Syaoran paused. " Do you think it would be moral to use her cards after that?"
" But...why are you letting Hitomi use the cards?" Chid asked.
" Hitomi is Sakura's reincarnation." Syaoran answered.



Hitomi stared blankly at Yue.
" I...I'm not Sakura." Hitomi found her voice.
" If you say so." Kero answered. " One way you're not Sakura. The other way you are."
" It's been a long time." Yue stood up steadily, his face void of all emotion. " How did you find the book again? This is not Earth."
" I come from Earth." Hitomi answered cautiously. " This is Gaea though."
" Gaea?" Kero looked at Yue.
" Is Syaoran here?" Yue looked at Van.
" He's not his reincarnation. Syaoran still feels like Syaoran. Maybe he's still here as Syaoran." Kero answered.
" Why do I feel a love bond?" Yue seemed slightly perplexed.
" They're in love, wiseguy." Kero answered. Then he saw Syaoran. " You can't expect a twenty year old to love an eleven year old. Hey kiddo! How are you?"

Syaoran, who had just entered with Chid, found that his legs gave out and he fell to the floor. Chid started and tried to help him up but found that Syaoran was too stunned to help him.
" K-K-Kero?" He asked weakly. Yue noticed the situation and hurried over to Syaoran.
" But...but you were dead!" Syaoran was starting to freak out. " You were dead! I saw you two die!"
" Hush." Yue comforted the child, and they touched foreheads, while Yue whispered to Syaoran.

There was a moment of hushed silence in the room.

Hitomi and Van looked at each other.
So this is what you were afraid of? Van mouthed.
Nani? Hitomi answered.
I said, this was what you were afraid of.
Iie. I wasn't afraid of anything.
Well look! The boy's basically freaking out! He's trembling.

Hitomi looked at the child and then at Van.
What are we going to do? Van asked.
How am I supposed to know? Hitomi asked indignantly.
Is Yue and Kero coming back a good thing?
Apparently so.
Why?
What do you mean why?

Yue was looking at them while holding Syaoran in his arms. He knew what they were doing and was vastly annoyed. Kero frowned and decided to concentrate on Syaoran, who was only then quieting. Chid stood to the side away from them, feeling extremely awkward.

When Syaoran finally quieted it had begun to rain.



" He likes it in his dragon form." Yue told Chid, Van and Allen as he stroked the entire body smoothly from head to tail. " Dragons always have to move when they're awake so he'll fidget some, but he likes it anyway." Yue closed his hands around the dragon's muzzle and shook the little one's head.
" Isn't that so, Syaoran?" Yue chuckled, still holding the muzzle. " Isn't that so?"
The dragon made a whale-like whistle and fidgeted again. Yue chuckled.
" He's more cuddly then you think." Kero grinned. " He's like a kangaroo joey, especially with that head of his. You can carry him in a little bag and he'll poke his sleepy head out from time to time.

Syaoran snapped his jaws at Kero unhappily. The stuffed animal laughed.

Allen smiled. " Well, now he seems less nervous around people with you around."
" Maybe." Yue answered. " In truth he had always been nervous around people. He had always been a loner. I guess he's just glad we're still alive." He smiled sadly.

Syaoran made a low rumble in his throat and cried out when Van suddenly lifted him. Syaoran blinked and stretched his long thin neck out and touched Van's nose with his snout. Everyone laughed.

Merle watched from the side with her tail twitching in curiosity. Syaoran saw her and hissed. She cringed and blinked.
" Mreow?"

Syaoran opened his mouth and out came a squirt of water.

" Hey! Not fair!" Cried the drenched cat. " How are you able to do it from so far away?"

Syaoran closed his eyes.

Yue chuckled, but Allen saw that there was a sadness in his eyes, and heard a note of sorrow in the laugh. He seemed to know something the rest of them did not.



Hitomi woke up to Millerna shaking her.
" Huh? Nani?" She blinked, rubbing her eyes.
" Look out." Millerna pointed. Hitomi looked out the window.

Red.

Everything was red.

Night wasn't supposed to be red.
" Kuso." Hitomi swallowed. She knew what this meant. Ohh she knew what this meant.

This is bad. She thought to herself as she hurriedly got up and dressed as fast as she could, while giving instructions to Millerna.
" Wake the others. Tell Van that the Phoenix is here. Tell Yue to hide Syaoran. Oh shoot oh shoot oh shoot..."

She went out as soon as she finished, taking her tarot cards and the precious Sakura book with her. She stood over the stairs and looked down. All was calm.

Suddenly, out came a lion, followed by a Draconian-like figure, then she saw Van and Allen rushing out. She hurried down the stairs towards Van.
" Van!" She called. Van turned around.
" Hitomi!"
" Van, whatever you do, don't get Escaflowne!" She cried.
" Nani?" Van blinked, surprised. " Why?"
" You'll ruin Syaoran!"

Before she had time to explain any further, a shadow whipped past them, robes flapping. The two followed.



Outside the sky was as red as dawn and the air was chilly and cold. Syaoran leaped onto a horse.
" Jia!" He kicked at its sides. Hitomi gasped, and Van mounted another horse, and pulled her up behind him. Hitomi found it hard to hold the book and onto Van at the same time, but she really had no choice. They galloped through the misty woods, not knowing where Syaoran was going.

There was a flash of lightning, and a dark, golden cloud loomed overhead. Syaoran suddenly stopped and dismounted. He looked up to the sky, and was extremely still for a long moment.

Lightning struck. Syaoran ripped out something and blocked it. Hitomi took a moment to notice it was a silk fabric, one of those that are used for the Chinese dances.

What in the world? She thought to herself. Van was thinking the same thing.

Syaoran leaped into the air and hovered there for a moment. Something appeared from the clouds. Hitomi could not see much of that figure, except he was dressed in dark gold and silver. She could not see that person's face, but the eyes and the long hair were clearly visible. They were strands of golden hair. The eyes were clear blue. But that person did not look a bit like Allen.

Syaoran, on the other hand, could see that person clearly. His head felt less free because his hair had grown slightly longer, making him less boyish, but that small length still was to his disadvantage. He felt everything still for a moment as he studied the man who ruined his life.

The Dark Phoenix was a handsome man. He had long golden hair that reached his shoulderblades and large blue eyes that glow in the dark like Syaoran's brown or gold ones. He had a strong chin and high cheek bones, a tall nose and a high forehead. His eyes tilted upwards at the outer ends and were far apart, under thick dark eyebrows. He was a tall man, broad shouldered. An example of a hero or a villain.

The phoenix drew out a sword and Syaoran hovered away a little, ready. The phoenix charged. Syaoran lashed out with the fabric and it entwined at the man's arm. The god tried to cut it with his sword but the sword only slipped past the fabric and did not hurt it.

Syaoran drew the fabric back. He pulled the phoenix with it for a little, off balancing it. The man was surprised. Syaoran twirled in the air and the two fabrics danced off the man, quickly tangling him. Syaoran twirled the other way, diagonally, and the Phoenix was tangled even more. He pulled the fabric back and kicked, sending the man backwards. The fabrics disentangled and the phoenix god fell back.

Van thought that this was the most bizarre kind of battle he had ever seen in his life, yet it made sense. Syaoran's fabric didn't seem to be effected but swords, and it proved to be a good rope. In his heart he cheered. Syaoran was as good a fighter as he was in dragon form. Speaking of dragon...

He remembered how Syaoran was as a dragon. Long and thin, completely flexible. No wonder he used the fabric.

Clever. He thought, amazed. Clever. Clever.

At each attack, Syaoran blocked with the fabric, and attacked with the fabric, tangling and untangling to weaken the opponent. From afar, it seemed like some airborne dance, between the graceful child and the clumsy warrior.

The Dark Phoenix had had enough. He spout out flames from his hands. Syaoran flew up and batted them away, but realized that the attack is strong and will get stronger. He felt a well of panic in his stomach. He had never used his immortal powers for battle.

The Dark Phoenix through another attack and this time the fabrics were destroyed. Syaoran felt a pain in his left leg and he almost fell down several meters, but thankfully he got over the pain. He blinked, and saw a dark shadow coming at him. He closed his eyes, willing it to leave.

The Dark Phoenix was stunned. How did the boy manage to do that? He saw the child open his eyes and find that everything was gone. No shadow, no magic. Simply his enemy, standing there.

He saw the child's eyes widen, then narrow. Red light flashed, then slowly dimmed. This time the boy was no longer in green. He was in fire red, his eyes glowing like amber. No longer was he timid now. He was the proud Phoenix.

" Asho na!" He cried, and the Dark Phoenix felt a splitting pain in his skull. Knowing that once the spell took over he will not stand a chance, he quickly withdrew, wondering what just happened.



Van turned to Yue. " What the hell was that?"
" That was Syaoran as a Phoenix." Yue snapped, much to both Van and Hitomi's surprise. " We're in for it now. If you anger him, he might do worse then what he did to that Dark Phoenix."

Syaoran, the child Phoenix, landed on the ground in front of them. He looked more angry then anything.
" What!" He cried at them. " What are you looking at me for? The bastard deserved it!" And with that the child disappeared.

Van turned again to Yue and suddenly found that the guardian looked weary. He swallowed, knowing full well that this wasn't the Syaoran that was shy and timid. That was the dragon. This is the phoenix.

This is very bad.