SHOW ME by Konnie
A/N: Sorry about the delay. Life got in the way.
Thanks for the reviews, that though few, are very nice. I myself tend to like things most people hate, and I happen to think the things I like are the best, so a few good reviews mean as much to me, or maybe more, than a hundred good reviews. Of course, I never got a hundred of those, so I can't be so sure. ;)
On with the story!
CHAPTER 8
For the first time in her best friend's life as a card captor, Tomoyo didn't ask to tape her adventures, though she did bring a costume for her to wear, since it was a sort of pact between the two. If she had Tomoyo's costume on, she had to return it with a smile. Sakura surely looked wonderful as usual, and maybe she'd regret later not having taped her in action, but her friend was not happy at all about the mission at hand, and Tomoyo didn't think it appropriate.
The three kids and sun guardian made their way through the hospital's grounds with a severe expression. As Shaoran had pointed out just a few moments before, they shouldn't be depressed about everything that had happened. On the contrary, he'd said he'd felt an aura coming from Touya's room, and that meant their problem could be solved the way they knew best; with magic.
Sakura had known this, the cards had told her, but she'd confessed she didn't felt confident enough about her powers to make her brother's well being depend on them. Shaoran had scolded her for it, telling her that it wasn't a time for insecurities. Tomoyo inwardly smiled. Li-kun always knew what to say to bring out the best out of her beloved friend. There was so much love on the young boy's face for Sakura, that Tomoyo couldn't possibly envy or resent him. She could only be happy for Li-kun and Sakura.
They came to a stop just outside the wing of the hospital where Touya's room was, and Sakura gathered her surroundings anxiously. Kero-chan acquired a grave pose.
"Are you sure you didn't recognise the aura, brat?"
Tomoyo giggled softly upon seeing Li-kun turn red with anger and suppress an outburst.
"Yes,..." he answered a bit stiffly, "It did seem familiar. I have it on the tip of my brain, but I still can't figure out whose aura it was."
Sakura shook her head, frustrated.
"I don't remember feeling an aura! Why would anyone want to hurt my brother? He doesn't even have powers anymore!"
"Well,..." Kero started, "I can feel an aura here, coming from there." he pointed to Touya's window. "It's too vague for you to have noticed if you had your mind on other issues, which I'm afraid you had, Sakura. Don't feel bad about it. Yue doesn't seem to have noticed either."
"The stuffed animal is right, Sakura..." Li said, giving Kero a triumphant look for a split second, since he knew the sun guardian wouldn't be able to reply. Kero was fuming, but remained quiet. "The presence it's too vague and hard to distinguish, specially inside a hospital. There's enough spirits around here to confuse the best of us."
Sakura nodded wearily. She didn't indicate being afraid of Li-kun's comment about ghosts, and Tomoyo decided that either her friend was too worried about her brother to notice or had grown a lot since last time she'd had to face spirits. Maybe it was both.
They all took a sit on the stairs of the entrance and Sakura sighed.
"Now what, Kero? What should I do?"
Kero looked pensive for a moment.
"You'll have to find out who's doing this, I guess. You could try to use the cards to break whatever spell they're using. Since it seems to be affecting your brother's mind, I suggest you use a card that can affect his mind to do so."
Sakura's face brightened.
"Illusion or dream, right?"
"Yes. But you have to want to use them with all your heart, remember?" Kero stated seriously. Sakura rose from her seat and begun running inside, enthusiasm showing on her face.
"Don't worry about that!" she yelled and disappeared from sight. The rest stared at each other for a moment before following her inside.
***********************************
Now that it had been called to her attention, Sakura couldn't understand how was it possible for her to have missed the obvious aura that lingered on her brother's hospital room. she wondered if maybe that aura had been evident on her own home without her noticing. She couldn't help but to feel a bit guilty about it but, as Shaoran had said, there was no use for that now. Sakura had a hint on how to solve the problem, and she'd better put all her energy into doing so.
The spartan room looked particularly peaceful, and so did Touya, which made her feel a bit better about the whole thing. She was scared to death that she would make a mistake and ruin probably her brother's only chance at recovery.
Silently, she pulled out the key she carried always with her and conjured the words to call out the powers that laid in it.
"Release!" she finished and held the staff on her hand, pondering on whether she should use The illusion or The dream. It occurred to her that she wouldn't be able to see what was happening in her brother's mind unless she used the cards on herself, instead of Touya. She was at a loss for a few moments. She couldn't figure out a way to make it work.
Finally, though not too convinced about the chance she stood, she came up with an idea. holding The dream close to her heart and closing her eyes, trying to convey the urgency of the matter.
"Dream!" she finally called. The figure stood before her, waiting for instructions. The expression on the card's face told Sakura that it was worried about her. Sometimes it was hard to believe the bond she'd achieved with all 53 cards as well as their guardians. "Please," she asked kindly, "Take me to where my brother is."
The card seemed to ponder on her request for a few seconds, shifting her gaze between Sakura and Touya, but finally nodded and Sakura was enveloped in darkness.
It was weird being in someone else's dream world. Everything had a different sense to it than in her own dreams. She'd said the air smelled different, felt different, but she knew she would be rationalizing the sensations.
The darkness around her though, didn't feel like Touya. It was more of an absence than a presence; like stepping into the void, but being able to feel there used to be something there. She drew another card from her pocket.
"Light!"
Now she could see herself, but the darkness remained. She guessed the reason would be there was nothing for the light to reflect on. That place felt like complete abandonment, and just thinking her brother was there, unable to get out, sent shivers down her spine.
"Brother?!" she shouted as loud as she could. "Touya, where are you?!"
She heard a soft whimper. It sounded close and far at the same time and for once Sakura wished dreams weren't so irrational.
"Touya, it's me, Sakura! Can you hear me?"
"Sakura?" came a timid response. She tried to locate the voice, but it had been too soft and too short a speech to do it completely.
"It's me, brother, please let me find you," she pleaded.
"You're not real," Touya whispered, resigned.
"Yes I am! It's me Touya; you know it's me! Now let me see you."
"I can't. I can't even see myself. Get out of here." His brother's words were rude, but his tone was desperate, and she was resolved more than ever to find him and drag him out.
"I can help you, Touya. Just let me see you."
There was silence for a long moment, and Sakura feared Touya had just decided to ignore her. But then she saw a hint of something barely noticeable. Like a shadow in the darkness, which was illogical, but pretty much the only way to describe it. She came closer to it. The light begun outlining the figure; soon enough she could recognize Touya lying on a fetal position on what would have been the floor, if there had been one.
Around him she could sense that familiar aura again, though it was too faint to recognise. Sakura knelt beside her brother and tenderly started running a hand through his hair. Touya lifted his eyes to meet hers. They were filled with pain and despair so much that Sakura wanted to cry.
"Sakura...? It doesn't feel like you, you're not real. Get out of my head."
"Yes, I am. Don't be stubborn brother." she said tenderly. He seemed reluctant to believe her, but still leaned into the caress.
It was weird having to take care of Touya, instead of the other way around, but it felt good to be able to give something back to him. Touya was always trying to conceal his worry for her, but she knew how much he'd done for her.
Touya smiled a little, but his gaze still seemed distant.
"Kaijuu, what are you doing here?" Sakura returned the smile.
"I'm getting you out of here. Father is really worried about you, you know? And Yukito-kun too."
"Yuki?"
"Yes. Now why don't you come back with me?"
Touya slowly sat up. He looked a little more composed.
"Can we do that? Can we leave?" he started breathing faster. "Because every time I try to get out,...it's...it hurts so much I..."
Sakura placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Shhh. It'll be ok. Give me your hand." he did so, and with her free hand Sakura fetched another card. A few months back she wouldn't have been able to use so many cards in one day, but her powers were stronger with each passing day. "Shield!" she commanded, and a translucid sphere of energy surrounded them both.
In such a small place, the faint aura became stronger, instead of disappearing as Sakura expected. It was suffocating. She turned to see Touya, who looked terrified. He tried to let go of her hand, but Sakura tightened her grip.
"C'mon, brother! We have to get out of here NOW!"
"No! Let me go!" he started looking around, as if looking for someone. "It wasn't me! I didn't do it, please!"
It was getting harder and harder to control Touya. Besides, whatever it was upsetting him was starting to affect her as well.
"Touya! Who are you talking to?! Who's doing this?!" the shield started fading and Touya knelt down, gasping for air.
"Help me, please, Sakura..." he whispered.
An overwhelming pain took over her. She could feel herself slipping away from wherever she was, but felt too weak to do anything about it.
"Touya..." her grip on Touya's hand loosened, and her brother begun fading as the shield was. Sakura's eyes filled with tears as she realized she'd failed. " I'm...I'm sorry brother."
****************************
"She seems in a sort of trance." Tomoyo said softly. Sakura laid limply on Shaoran's arms. The boy had a faint blush on his cheeks, but held Sakura safely.
"We shouldn't disturb her," Kero said, "She's probably trying to pull her brother out from the depths of his mind. That requires a lot out of her, I'm sure."
"I know. I just hope it works out alright." answered Shaoran.
Suddenly, Touya begun shaking and Sakura woke up with a start. She yelled her brother's name and broke up in uncontrollable sobs. Dumbfounded, Li could only stare at her, until she hugged him desperately. He tightened his grip on her.
"What happened?" he asked softly.
"I failed! I couldn't help him and...God, there was so much pain!" she cried.
"You can't help him." said someone standing in the shadows by the door. Sakura lifted her eyes, and saw Eriol standing there, looking grim. "This test isn't meant for you, my dear Sakura."
Shaoran stood up, fuming.
"It's you, isn't it?!" he yelled, "You're the one doing this?!"
Both Sakura and Tomoyo stared at the black haired boy in confusion, while Kero's face turned red in anger.
"Clow..." the guardian whispered. "You better explain this or I swear..."
Eriol smiled faintly.
"I know, you deserve an explanation, but I'm afraid I cannot give one yet. Just trust me, it'd be worse for him if I hadn't done this. I'm sorry to have to put you through it though."
He turned around and left the room. Sakura started running after him, but once she reached the hall, he was no longer in sight.
TBC
A/N: Sorry about the delay. Life got in the way.
Thanks for the reviews, that though few, are very nice. I myself tend to like things most people hate, and I happen to think the things I like are the best, so a few good reviews mean as much to me, or maybe more, than a hundred good reviews. Of course, I never got a hundred of those, so I can't be so sure. ;)
On with the story!
CHAPTER 8
For the first time in her best friend's life as a card captor, Tomoyo didn't ask to tape her adventures, though she did bring a costume for her to wear, since it was a sort of pact between the two. If she had Tomoyo's costume on, she had to return it with a smile. Sakura surely looked wonderful as usual, and maybe she'd regret later not having taped her in action, but her friend was not happy at all about the mission at hand, and Tomoyo didn't think it appropriate.
The three kids and sun guardian made their way through the hospital's grounds with a severe expression. As Shaoran had pointed out just a few moments before, they shouldn't be depressed about everything that had happened. On the contrary, he'd said he'd felt an aura coming from Touya's room, and that meant their problem could be solved the way they knew best; with magic.
Sakura had known this, the cards had told her, but she'd confessed she didn't felt confident enough about her powers to make her brother's well being depend on them. Shaoran had scolded her for it, telling her that it wasn't a time for insecurities. Tomoyo inwardly smiled. Li-kun always knew what to say to bring out the best out of her beloved friend. There was so much love on the young boy's face for Sakura, that Tomoyo couldn't possibly envy or resent him. She could only be happy for Li-kun and Sakura.
They came to a stop just outside the wing of the hospital where Touya's room was, and Sakura gathered her surroundings anxiously. Kero-chan acquired a grave pose.
"Are you sure you didn't recognise the aura, brat?"
Tomoyo giggled softly upon seeing Li-kun turn red with anger and suppress an outburst.
"Yes,..." he answered a bit stiffly, "It did seem familiar. I have it on the tip of my brain, but I still can't figure out whose aura it was."
Sakura shook her head, frustrated.
"I don't remember feeling an aura! Why would anyone want to hurt my brother? He doesn't even have powers anymore!"
"Well,..." Kero started, "I can feel an aura here, coming from there." he pointed to Touya's window. "It's too vague for you to have noticed if you had your mind on other issues, which I'm afraid you had, Sakura. Don't feel bad about it. Yue doesn't seem to have noticed either."
"The stuffed animal is right, Sakura..." Li said, giving Kero a triumphant look for a split second, since he knew the sun guardian wouldn't be able to reply. Kero was fuming, but remained quiet. "The presence it's too vague and hard to distinguish, specially inside a hospital. There's enough spirits around here to confuse the best of us."
Sakura nodded wearily. She didn't indicate being afraid of Li-kun's comment about ghosts, and Tomoyo decided that either her friend was too worried about her brother to notice or had grown a lot since last time she'd had to face spirits. Maybe it was both.
They all took a sit on the stairs of the entrance and Sakura sighed.
"Now what, Kero? What should I do?"
Kero looked pensive for a moment.
"You'll have to find out who's doing this, I guess. You could try to use the cards to break whatever spell they're using. Since it seems to be affecting your brother's mind, I suggest you use a card that can affect his mind to do so."
Sakura's face brightened.
"Illusion or dream, right?"
"Yes. But you have to want to use them with all your heart, remember?" Kero stated seriously. Sakura rose from her seat and begun running inside, enthusiasm showing on her face.
"Don't worry about that!" she yelled and disappeared from sight. The rest stared at each other for a moment before following her inside.
***********************************
Now that it had been called to her attention, Sakura couldn't understand how was it possible for her to have missed the obvious aura that lingered on her brother's hospital room. she wondered if maybe that aura had been evident on her own home without her noticing. She couldn't help but to feel a bit guilty about it but, as Shaoran had said, there was no use for that now. Sakura had a hint on how to solve the problem, and she'd better put all her energy into doing so.
The spartan room looked particularly peaceful, and so did Touya, which made her feel a bit better about the whole thing. She was scared to death that she would make a mistake and ruin probably her brother's only chance at recovery.
Silently, she pulled out the key she carried always with her and conjured the words to call out the powers that laid in it.
"Release!" she finished and held the staff on her hand, pondering on whether she should use The illusion or The dream. It occurred to her that she wouldn't be able to see what was happening in her brother's mind unless she used the cards on herself, instead of Touya. She was at a loss for a few moments. She couldn't figure out a way to make it work.
Finally, though not too convinced about the chance she stood, she came up with an idea. holding The dream close to her heart and closing her eyes, trying to convey the urgency of the matter.
"Dream!" she finally called. The figure stood before her, waiting for instructions. The expression on the card's face told Sakura that it was worried about her. Sometimes it was hard to believe the bond she'd achieved with all 53 cards as well as their guardians. "Please," she asked kindly, "Take me to where my brother is."
The card seemed to ponder on her request for a few seconds, shifting her gaze between Sakura and Touya, but finally nodded and Sakura was enveloped in darkness.
It was weird being in someone else's dream world. Everything had a different sense to it than in her own dreams. She'd said the air smelled different, felt different, but she knew she would be rationalizing the sensations.
The darkness around her though, didn't feel like Touya. It was more of an absence than a presence; like stepping into the void, but being able to feel there used to be something there. She drew another card from her pocket.
"Light!"
Now she could see herself, but the darkness remained. She guessed the reason would be there was nothing for the light to reflect on. That place felt like complete abandonment, and just thinking her brother was there, unable to get out, sent shivers down her spine.
"Brother?!" she shouted as loud as she could. "Touya, where are you?!"
She heard a soft whimper. It sounded close and far at the same time and for once Sakura wished dreams weren't so irrational.
"Touya, it's me, Sakura! Can you hear me?"
"Sakura?" came a timid response. She tried to locate the voice, but it had been too soft and too short a speech to do it completely.
"It's me, brother, please let me find you," she pleaded.
"You're not real," Touya whispered, resigned.
"Yes I am! It's me Touya; you know it's me! Now let me see you."
"I can't. I can't even see myself. Get out of here." His brother's words were rude, but his tone was desperate, and she was resolved more than ever to find him and drag him out.
"I can help you, Touya. Just let me see you."
There was silence for a long moment, and Sakura feared Touya had just decided to ignore her. But then she saw a hint of something barely noticeable. Like a shadow in the darkness, which was illogical, but pretty much the only way to describe it. She came closer to it. The light begun outlining the figure; soon enough she could recognize Touya lying on a fetal position on what would have been the floor, if there had been one.
Around him she could sense that familiar aura again, though it was too faint to recognise. Sakura knelt beside her brother and tenderly started running a hand through his hair. Touya lifted his eyes to meet hers. They were filled with pain and despair so much that Sakura wanted to cry.
"Sakura...? It doesn't feel like you, you're not real. Get out of my head."
"Yes, I am. Don't be stubborn brother." she said tenderly. He seemed reluctant to believe her, but still leaned into the caress.
It was weird having to take care of Touya, instead of the other way around, but it felt good to be able to give something back to him. Touya was always trying to conceal his worry for her, but she knew how much he'd done for her.
Touya smiled a little, but his gaze still seemed distant.
"Kaijuu, what are you doing here?" Sakura returned the smile.
"I'm getting you out of here. Father is really worried about you, you know? And Yukito-kun too."
"Yuki?"
"Yes. Now why don't you come back with me?"
Touya slowly sat up. He looked a little more composed.
"Can we do that? Can we leave?" he started breathing faster. "Because every time I try to get out,...it's...it hurts so much I..."
Sakura placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Shhh. It'll be ok. Give me your hand." he did so, and with her free hand Sakura fetched another card. A few months back she wouldn't have been able to use so many cards in one day, but her powers were stronger with each passing day. "Shield!" she commanded, and a translucid sphere of energy surrounded them both.
In such a small place, the faint aura became stronger, instead of disappearing as Sakura expected. It was suffocating. She turned to see Touya, who looked terrified. He tried to let go of her hand, but Sakura tightened her grip.
"C'mon, brother! We have to get out of here NOW!"
"No! Let me go!" he started looking around, as if looking for someone. "It wasn't me! I didn't do it, please!"
It was getting harder and harder to control Touya. Besides, whatever it was upsetting him was starting to affect her as well.
"Touya! Who are you talking to?! Who's doing this?!" the shield started fading and Touya knelt down, gasping for air.
"Help me, please, Sakura..." he whispered.
An overwhelming pain took over her. She could feel herself slipping away from wherever she was, but felt too weak to do anything about it.
"Touya..." her grip on Touya's hand loosened, and her brother begun fading as the shield was. Sakura's eyes filled with tears as she realized she'd failed. " I'm...I'm sorry brother."
****************************
"She seems in a sort of trance." Tomoyo said softly. Sakura laid limply on Shaoran's arms. The boy had a faint blush on his cheeks, but held Sakura safely.
"We shouldn't disturb her," Kero said, "She's probably trying to pull her brother out from the depths of his mind. That requires a lot out of her, I'm sure."
"I know. I just hope it works out alright." answered Shaoran.
Suddenly, Touya begun shaking and Sakura woke up with a start. She yelled her brother's name and broke up in uncontrollable sobs. Dumbfounded, Li could only stare at her, until she hugged him desperately. He tightened his grip on her.
"What happened?" he asked softly.
"I failed! I couldn't help him and...God, there was so much pain!" she cried.
"You can't help him." said someone standing in the shadows by the door. Sakura lifted her eyes, and saw Eriol standing there, looking grim. "This test isn't meant for you, my dear Sakura."
Shaoran stood up, fuming.
"It's you, isn't it?!" he yelled, "You're the one doing this?!"
Both Sakura and Tomoyo stared at the black haired boy in confusion, while Kero's face turned red in anger.
"Clow..." the guardian whispered. "You better explain this or I swear..."
Eriol smiled faintly.
"I know, you deserve an explanation, but I'm afraid I cannot give one yet. Just trust me, it'd be worse for him if I hadn't done this. I'm sorry to have to put you through it though."
He turned around and left the room. Sakura started running after him, but once she reached the hall, he was no longer in sight.
TBC
