Sorry for having these chapters out so late: With all of FF.net's problems,
I didn't realize we were able to update! Gomen ne.
Chapter 11- Hostages
Sakura, Syaoran, Mia, Tomoyo, and Kero all appeared in Sakura's backyard as if they had never left. Well, except that Syaoran was seven years older and the girls were now half-cat. Syaoran stretched his arms out. "That was rough. I think I'm ready for a long vacation." Mia concentrated her magic. "Well, we don't have time for that, meow. I can sense Koji. He's here. However, I have no idea where he is." Sakura yawned. "I want to get to bed. I'm so sleepy. we must have walked for an hour before we came back to this time. Wait a second, what if Touya or dad see me? What am I going to say?! I don't know what they'd do if they saw me! I've worn a cat suit before, but the cat parts were all fake!"
Mia thought to aloud. "She has a good point. Darn. I don't know what we're going to do. We can't let people see us." Syaoran added, "Yeah, and what will people say if they see someone who's 17 claiming to be a 10-year-old boy? I could get in a lot of trouble." Tomoyo pouted. "But what can we do? If we don't go home, our families will worry."Syaoran got an idea. "Well, you could all come over to my apartment to sleep if you wanted to. There's no school tomorrow. We could wait out there." Mia shook her head. "Well, I'm not worried about myself, since I don't have a home here anyway, but Tomoyo and Sakura have families to go home to." Tomoyo nodded. "I was looking forward to seeing mother, since she is home, but I'd rather not worry her."
Sakura snapped her fingers. "I know!" She pulled out a Clow Card. "MIRROR CARD! Create a copy of Tomoyo's and my normal forms!"
In front of them materialized perfect mirror images of the two girls. "They look just like us and no one will suspect a thing." Sakura said, but Syaoran groaned. "How many times have you tried this trick now?" She sighed. "Well, it works. That's all that matters. Now what matters is getting some rest. Mirror Card, I need you to go to our homes and just rest until we get back." "Okay. I can do that. but is your brother here?" Sakura nodded. "Err. that may be a problem. I think he can almost sense there is something wrong. but then again, if you'll only be gone a little while, I'll be fine." The Mirror Card walked towards their homes in complete silence, making sure not to make a sound.
Syaoran silently walked to Sakura's front yard and looked around. He waved his arm, signaling it was okay to move. The walked down the side of the street in almost pure darkness. Only the occasional streetlight made it possible to see where they were headed. The girls held the bells around their necks so they wouldn't make a sound.
Suddenly, Syaoran felt a surge of magic in the air. "What the hell is this? It feels like Koji is hovering around us. Where is he?" The streetlights all went out simultaneously. Syaoran grabbed his pendant and was about to summon it when he heard a loud rumbling. Syaoran jumped into the way of whatever it was, ready to face it. "MEOW! WATCH OUT, SYAORAN!" Sakura screamed as she leaped through the air and knocked Syaoran to the ground.
The streetlights all were turned on once again and a hulking semi-truck drove past where Sakura had tackled him. Mia and Tomoyo ran across the road screaming yelling, "Are you two alright?" Syaoran gasped. "You. you saved my life. again. How did you see the truck coming? I couldn't see anything." Sakura scratched her head. "Why couldn't you? I could see everything perfectly fine. I saw the truck coming from far away. Didn't you?" Syaoran shook his head. "I couldn't see anything! All of the lights were out! It was the strangest thing. No headlights, no streetlights, and even the lights in the houses all went out at once. How could you see the truck?"
Mia laughed out loud. "You know, Syaoran, it's easy to see you're not that great at finding revenge. Apparently, this potion has some benefits, too. For example, like cats, it's very easy for us to see in the dark. I noticed we don't see colors that well, but it's as clear as day to us now." Syaoran sighed. "Then again, if I hadn't changed you, I'd be dead right now." Sakura hugged him tight and he blushed. "I'm just glad you're okay, even if it means we have to be cats."
Tomoyo approached and saw them in their hugging position. She whispered, "Sakura, you're so lovely." Syaoran had his face still red as Sakura continued to hold him tight. "Ah, I think we'd better move before someone spots us. Or worse, the power may go out again. I have the feeling Koji was behind that cowardly move." Sakura and he left their embrace and stood up. Mia said, "Don't worry. We'll be your guides in the dark, just like Seeing Eye dogs. err. cats."
**
"Son of a bitch. The bastard didn't get hit by the truck," Koji cussed. "Well, at least I know my newest artifact works: The Lightning Wand. With this, I can absorb any amount of electricity from anywhere! And since I was just able to suck all the electricity out of one entire town for a brief while, I think I have sufficient power to take those brats on."
**
Syaoran opened the door to his place and turned on the lights. It looked as if he hadn't been gone more than an hour or so. Then again, in their original time, he hadn't been gone that long. "Let's see," Syaoran mumbled aloud. "Where can we all sleep. Well, there is my bed, but it's only big enough for one person, there's the couch, I have a sleeping bag that can go on the floor in my room, and. and." Mia asked, "And what?" Syaoran sighed. "I don't think I have anything or anyplace where the fourth person can sleep. There was Meilin's bed, but she took it with her when she moved out."
"HOEEE! So you mean one of us will have to sleep on the floor or something?" Syaoran nodded. "Yeah, it will be uncomfortable, but I guess so." Tomoyo said, "Well, I won't let Sakura sleep on the floor. I will." Mia shook her head. "No, let's be fair. Let's draw cards. Whoever has the highest card, with an ace being the highest, gets the bed. Second highest gets the couch. Third highest gets the sleeping bag. And we know what fourth gets. Ah, there is a deck right here."
Mia placed the deck face down on the deck and they all drew one card at random. "Okay," Mia said, "who has what? I have. a seven of clubs." Tomoyo turned hers around. "I have a ten of spades." Syaoran sighed. "I. got a two of hearts." Sakura yelled out, "HOEEEE! I guess I get the floor." Mia raised one eyebrow. "What? How is that possible?" Sakura turned her card towards them. "I have a one of hearts." Mia giggled. "Sakura, have you ever played cards much before?" Sakura shook her head. "I thought so. That's an ace! That is the highest card in value! You get the bed! I get the sleeping bag. Tomoyo gets that couch." Syaoran sighed again. "And even though it's my place, I'll sleep on the floor."
Sakura's face saddened. "Well, if you have to, that makes me feel kinda guilty. I don't want you to have to." Syaoran shook his head. "Don't worry about me. I would feel better, anyway, if I had that potion ready to drink. I really want to get back to normal." Sakura wagged her tail, thinking. It suddenly straightened out in a flash when she got an idea. "I know! Meow! Give me that potion." Syaoran put the bag down he was carrying and pulled out the bottle of 'Healthy Strong Boy #10.' "Just watch." She summoned her staff. "I've never tried this before, but maybe the Time Card can help. "TIME CARD! AGE THIS POTION BY A DAY!" A blinding light surrounded the concoction and then disappeared as fast as it appeared.
Syaoran held the potion. "It doesn't look any different. but I'll try it." He uncorked the bottle and had a small sip. Suddenly, he started to gag like he did when he drank the other potions. "Excuse me." He ran to his room and slammed the door. After a minute, he emerged, back in his old ten- year-old body. He was dressed in green-striped, buttoned pajamas.
"Finally. back to normal. I'm the same age I used to be before I left, I'm a boy, my hair's not down to my waist." Sakura grumbled. "I wish I could say the same thing." Tomoyo grinned. "Don't worry, Sakura!" She held up a video camera and began to record. "I managed to quickly pick this up while you walked here. Now I won't miss a moment of you as a kitten!" Everyone except Tomoyo fell to the ground in embarrassment.
"ANYWAY." Syaoran said impatiently, "nearly getting hit by a truck has taken it out of me. I've had enough excitement for one week. I just want to get some rest." Mia nodded her head. "Yeah. meow. I can barely keep my eyes open. I think I'll go find that sleeping bag." Tomoyo set her camera down before grabbing a blanket and lying down on the couch. "Good night, Sakura- chan, Syaoran-kun, Mia-chan. See you in the morning." "Goodnight." Mia replied.
Kero flew off silently to a nearby desk, opened it up, put down a few cotton balls to make a bed, and fell asleep.
Syaoran grabbed a blanket from the hall closet while Sakura got into Syaoran's bed in his room. Syaoran lay on the floor next to the couch, when Sakura came out and whispered, "Syaoran! Are you asleep?" He sat up and shook his head. "No, I haven't had the chance." "Good. I was just wondering. it's too hot. Do you have any cooler pajamas I can wear?" He nodded. "I have some in there somewhere."
Syaoran walked into his bedroom and opened a drawer. "Here it is." He handed her a long green shirt. "I'll wait outside while you change. Tell me if it fits."
A few minutes later, Sakura stepped out. The shirt went down to her knees. Her cute, little tail protruded out of the bottom of her shirt and waved in the air. "Arigotou, Syaoran. I feel a lot better." Syaoran nodded. "Well. then I guess. umm. I guess I'll just go to sleep. Sweet dreams, Sakura."
Sakura turned a deep shade of red, though it wasn't visible in the dark. "Well, ummm. you know, you're probably not that comfortable on the floor. you could sleep in here with me if you like. I mean, that's if you want to." Syaoran blushed as well. "Ummm. well, I bet it is cooler in there since I left the windows in there open before we left. so, I guess I could."
Syaoran set his blanket down on the floor in his room and got under it. Sakura got on all fours on Syaoran's bed. She began to knead and claw at it. A sweat drop rolled down Syaoran's head as he looked on. "Umm. Sakura, what are you doing?" She stopped in place, and a sweat drop rolled down her head too. "Hoeee. I guess that I got a few cat instincts, too, and not just the tail and ears." Syaoran laughed. "Heh. I guess so. Then again, I guess it was kinda mean of me to make you all cats." Sakura shook her head. "No, it's not that bad. It's actually kind of cool. And remember, if you hadn't, you could have been hit by that truck." "I almost forgot about that." "And I guess it was kind of mean of us to laugh so much at you when you were a girl. You really didn't want to be a girl, but you had to be." Syaoran chuckled. "It's okay. I guess it is kinda funny when I think about it. And I was one before. Remember, we did switch places in the jail cell when we battled Sadin. It's not that bad. If Koji weren't so perverted, I might not have minded at all."
Sakura slid under the sheets. "Well, I'm glad we got that all cleared up. I guess we all make a good team. I think we may actually get through all of Koji's demented plans to revive Sadin." Syaoran smiled gently. "Yeah, I think so too. Ummm. well, I guess I'll see you in the morning, Sakura. Sleep well." "Yeah, you too, Syaoran."
About a half an hour passed. Sakura rolled over. "Syaoran, are you awake, too?" He rolled over and nodded. "Yeah. Can you sense it, too? I didn't want to wake you if you didn't." Sakura nodded. "I sense it. a deep and brooding evil. Koji is nearby. I can just feel it. He's plotting and waiting." Syaoran sighed. "I can feel the same thing. He's persistent, I'll give him that."
Sakura began to tremble. "The feeling is getting stronger! It feels like Koji is nearby! It feels like he's right outside!" She grabbed all of her Sakura and Clow Cards, holding them close to her chest. Seeing the newly transformed cards from their adventure gave her confidence.
Syaoran stood up and looked out the window. "It feels like that, too. but it has to be just a trick. This feeling is different than when we are face to face with him. It's just a trick." Sakura nodded. "I can tell that. but I'm scared. I'm just such a scaredy cat." Syaoran shook his head. "That's not true! A coward wouldn't have been able to collect all of the Clow Cards AND pass the Final Judgment. You're anything BUT a scaredy cat." Sakura blushed. "I. ummm. I'm just nervous." Syaoran sat on the bed next to her and wrapped an arm around her. "I'm nervous, too, but it'll be okay."
Sakura gave a faint smile. The only light was that of the moon through an open window. It illuminated their faces in the darkness. Sakura began to rub her head up and down Syaoran's arm and purr. His face turned red and he jumped back in shock. "What are you doing?!" Sakura immediately stopped and blushed as well. "Oh! I'm so sorry!" She laughed nervously. "Cat instincts again. I can't control them." Syaoran smiled. "So, I guess you'd like THIS!" He began to scratch her behind her large ears and she purred. "That feels so heavenly. Maybe this isn't so bad." She yawned. She slowly lay down, Syaoran still petting her. Syaoran yawned as well. His eyes began to become heavy. Before he knew what happened, he had fallen asleep.
**
Syaoran felt an itch on his nose and scratched it subconsciously. Moments later, it itched again. He scratched, but it came back. He slowly opened his eyes to find. a tail in his face. and his arms wrapped around Sakura. He slowly and quietly backed away. But.
"Hey, where's Syaoran?" "I don't see him. Any sign of him over there, Mia?" "No, let me go ask Sakura, if she's up." The door was flung open and Mia stepped in. "Hey, Sakura, have you. seen." A sweat drop rolled down both Syaoran and Mia's faces. Mia started to giggle as Syaoran tried to shush her. "Shhh! Quiet! Sakura's asleep!" "Heh. I can see that! Tomoyo, get your camera!" Tomoyo rushed into the room in a blink of an eye. She ran so fast the force of her acted like a gust of wind, blowing everything aside. "A kawaii Sakura moment?!" As soon as she saw the scene, her eyes shrunk. "Uhh.. What's going on.?"
Syaoran let go of Sakura and slowly stood up. "Nothing happened! I was just sitting next to Sakura and fell asleep, okay?" Mia grabbed Tomoyo's camcorder. "Well, I'd believe that, but would Sakura when she sees this?" Syaoran began to sweat. "You wouldn't." Mia gave an evil cat-like grin. "Meow. Oh, I wouldn't?"
".Okay, what do I have to do?" Mia replied slyly, "Oh, nothing. yet. Just remember, next time I need to ask you a favor you HAVE to do it." Syaoran sighed. "Okay, okay. I'll do it. I just can't believe I'm blackmailed again. Just like back at the mage village." Tomoyo asked, "Mage village? You mean against Sadin? What happened?" Syaoran gasped and laughed timidly. "Uh, nothing! I didn't say anything! Um, I think I'll go shower! See you!" Syaoran ran out the door and slammed the door to the bathroom before anyone could say otherwise. Mia laughed at his apparent fear and Tomoyo just smiled. However, Tomoyo didn't remember overhearing Syaoran's speech back at the mage village, whispering aloud of his feelings towards Sakura.
When Syaoran emerged from the showers and was dressed, he saw Sakura wake up as he entered his room. "Good morning, Sakura." She yawned. "Hoe? Syaoran? What are you doing in my room? And. HOEEEEEE!" Sakura fell out of the bed and everyone came running. "What's wrong, Sakura-chan?" Tomoyo asked hastily. "I'M A KITTEN!"
Everyone crashed to the floor. "Well, of course you are!" Mia scolded. "Don't you remember yesterday?" Sakura just blinked for a second. "Yesterday? What. Oh! Now I remember!" A sweat drop rolled down her head. "I guess I'm just not used to waking up with this tail in my face," she said as she twisted and rubbed her tail in her hands.
Mia rolled her eyes. "How can ANYONE forget something like that even for an instant?" Kero laughed. "Oh? I could'a sworn you did something similar this morning, but I covered your mouth before you could yell! At first you thought you were under attack! Does this sound familiar? 'Help! Help! A lion or something!'" A vein popped on Mia's face. "I thought I told you never to mention that!" "Yeah, well, that's what you get for calling me a stuffed animal!" "Why you little." She began to chase Kero-chan throughout the house.
Tomoyo giggled. "Those two always make me laugh. Anyway, I think I'll go cook some breakfast. It's almost 9 o'clock. La la la la." Tomoyo went skipping off merrily down the hall, singing to herself.
Sakura stood up and rubbed her eyes. "Well, I guess I'll go wash up. HOEEE! I almost forgot! I threw my clothes from yesterday in the dirty laundry basket and I don't have a change of clothes!" Her eyes shrunk. "I don't think I can go to my house in broad daylight wearing just a shirt of yours." Syaoran's face turned red. "Ummm. well, why don't you just borrow some clothes from Tomoyo?" Sakura sighed. "Well, I would, but I got a look at her new dress she made for me. I've known her long enough to know she would only let me wear that. It's very pretty but. I don't think I'll wear it in public in broad daylight. And Mia would probably tell Tomoyo if I asked to borrow from her." Syaoran nodded in agreement. "I see. Ummm. well. you could borrow some of my clothes."
Sakura's face turned even redder. "What?! Me?! Wear guy's clothes?! I'm sorry, but no one in their right mind would wear clothes of the opposite sex." Syaoran glared at her. "AHEM! Did you also forget what I had to do for the last week or so?" A sweat drop rolled down her head. "Umm. well, that was different! You actually WERE a girl, remember?" "Oh yes, I remember it quite well. I don't think I'll forget it anytime soon." "Fine, I'll wear it. Now go and wait while I shower."
About 10 minutes later, Sakura stepped into Syaoran's kitchen, clad in a long brown shirt, a baggy pair of jeans, and a backwards, green baseball cap. Syaoran nearly choked when he saw her. "Sakura! Where are. umm. you're not a cat anymore?! I don't see the ears or tail!" Sakura lifted up her hat and the cat ears popped out from under a mess of hair and her tail poked out of the collar of her shirt. "No, I'm still a kitty, but I found a good way to hide it while I sneak over to my house to grab a few things."
Syaoran slammed his fist down on the table. "I won't hear of it! If you're going, I am, too. Koji could be around! We have to stick together." Mia nodded. "I agree. This is dangerous. We're coming along." Tomoyo nodded as well. "There's no way Kero and I will be left behind! We're coming, too! Plus, I finished a new outfit I have to film you in!" Sakura laughed uneasily. "Oh? I hadn't noticed. Well, let's go after breakfast."
Around ten minutes later, they all left Syaoran's place and headed towards Sakura's house. All of the girls wore hats to cover their ears and hid their tails in their shirts to avoid any unwanted attention. But something caught their eye when they were about halfway there. At an intersection, near where they were when the lights went out the night before, there were the remains of an accident. A semi-truck had collided with a lamppost. Police officers and emergency workers were cleaning up the wreckage. The group's curiosity got the best of them and they approached. "Excuse me, officer," Mia asked, "what happened here?"
An officer turned around. "It's the weirdest thing. Last night between midnight and one, we got reports of a blackout. But it wasn't just streetlamps and homes, but even the headlights of cars went out. This guy was driving along when it happened. Apparently, some teenager was walking by at the same time, couldn't see, and walked into the road. The poor kid would have been dead if a friend of him or her hadn't moved him out of the way, if what the driver could make out is true. The lights went back on momentarily, but the driver was so scared and worried about the kid that he lost control and he hit this pole. Don't worry. He's fine, just a little shaken up. Now, you kids hurry along. There's some broken glass on the ground and we don't want you stepping in it." They all nodded and walked back onto the sidewalk and towards Sakura's house.
When they arrived, Syaoran and Mia waited outside. Kero flew up to Sakura's room via an open window and Sakura and Tomoyo entered through the front door. "Now, Tomoyo, be extra quiet. The Mirror Card is still up here as a distraction. I just need you to act as a diversion for Touya while I grab everything I need. Okay?" Sakura whispered softly. Tomoyo nodded silently. "Okay, now let's go!"
Tomoyo walked into the kitchen while Sakura walked up the stairs. "Daidouji? What are you doing here?" "Konnichiwa, Touya-san. I came here to wait for Sakura." "Wait for her? For what?" "She was over at my house for a party and she needed to pick up. a change of clothes. Someone knocked her in the pool by mistake. Li-kun loaned her some of his clothes for the time being." "What are you talking about? Sakura was just upstairs in her room a minute ago." "No, she left quite a while ago. You must not have seen her leave."
Sakura stopped listening and moved to her room silently. First, she called back the Mirror Card, who was sitting at her desk. She grabbed her backpack and threw in as many outfits as she could. She grabbed her cell phone and Kero's as well. She finished packing when she noticed Kero trying to lift a large bag at least ten times his own size. "Kero, what the heck is that?!" The Guardian Beast strained his muscles as he carried it out a window. "ARGH! What else? My video games! I only packed the essentials!" Sakura fell face first onto the floor.
Sakura slowly made her way out of her room with her backpack full of supplies she would need over the next day or so. She slipped silently down the stairs. until. "HOEEEEE!" She lost her balance, tumbled down, and landed on the kitchen floor.
"Ow." A hand extended to help her up. "Ouch. thanks, Tom-GASP! YUKITO-SAN!" Sakura's entire face reddened. "Yukito! Umm.. uhh. Arigotou! I didn't know you were here!" "Never mind that, are you okay?" "Err. oh, yeah, I'm fine." Touya laughed. Don't worry. The monster's too heavy. I'd be more worried about the floor." Sakura jumped up and gave Touya a well-placed kick to the face. "I'M NOT HEAVY!" Yukito smiled. "Just ignore him. I'm glad you're alright. Now, you go have fun at that party." Touya sat up and rubbed his face. "Grrr. Fine. You can go. But since today you are supposed to clean up, you'll do ALL of the chores this weekend!" Sakura sighed. She really didn't want to do all the chores, but what choice did she have?
"Ok, I'll do them all next weekend." Yukito smiled, causing Sakura to practically melt into a puddle of the spot. "Just have a fun time. I'm sure it will be well worth it. Now, you're brother and I are headed towards the café. See you later!"
Sakura bowed. "Ar-arigotou, Yukito-san." However, Sakura's cap fell off her head when she bowed. Touya and Yukito's eyes widened. "S-S-Sakura, what the hell is that?!" Touya blurted out as he pointed to her head. "What's wrong with my." Sakura rubbed her head, feeling her cat ears. She began to sweat. She had been caught. What could she do? She could only try to lie, but she wasn't as good and natural at it as Tomoyo was. "Err. It's. for Tomoyo's party! It's a costume party!" She pulled out her tail. "See? It's fake." Yukito scratched his head. "A costume party? You were going swimming at a costume party?" Tomoyo shook her head. "No, we weren't going swimming, we were just outside by the pool when someone ran by and knocked her in." Touya nodded. "I see. But that tail doesn't look fake to me. It's moving on its own!" "Ummm. It's battery-powered?" "Let me take a look at it." The hair on Sakura's body stood on end. "Umm. no! We really have to go! We're going to be late!" Touya stepped closer still. "I have a job later, and some of the employees wear that as part of the uniform. I just wanna see what it's like." "No! Wait! I-"
Touya grabbed onto the swaying tail and felt it. "Huh? It even feels real." Yukito answered, "It really looks good, like a professional did it. Must have been very expensive. You know, it's very cute! Maybe I could try it on and wear it for a special occasion! What do you think?" Touya sighed. "You really would do that? Well, here. Let me borrow this for a second." "NO! WAIT! DON'T! MEOW!" Touya gave her tail a giant tug and the pain shot up Sakura's back. "OW!" Touya looked confused. "What the hell?" He continued to pull on it harder and harder. Tears started to form in Sakura's eyes, but she couldn't let them know it hurt. "Ow. err. I think we really have to hurry back to the party! Ow!" Touya continued to pull. "This will only take a second. What the hell did you do? Super glue it to your back?!" She finally couldn't take it anymore and she ripped her tail out of her brother's hands. "We really have to go! Bye!" And with that, the two cat- girls ran for the door as fast as they could.
Once outside, Mia, Syaoran, and Kero approached. Tomoyo commented, "I'm impressed, Sakura! Anyone I know would have been in total pain if that happened!" Suddenly, Sakura broke out in tears and screamed as she rubbed her butt with her hands. "OW! OW! OW! OW! OW! OW! OW! OW! IT HURTS! IT HURTS! I won't sit down for a week!" A sweat drop rolled down everyone's heads. Mia asked, "What happened?" Tomoyo laughed nervously. "Touya thought Sakura's tail was just a costume and Yukito-san wanted to see it, so he tried to umm. remove it." Mia, Syaoran, and Kero winced thinking about the pain. "Well, at least you got your clothes, right?" Syaoran asked. Sakura nodded as she showed him the bag of clothes. "My school uniform, pajamas, a swimsuit, a few days' worth of normal outfits, everything I think I'll need. We have no idea how long this may last, so I want to be prepared." Kero nodded. "That's smart thinking."
Mia sighed. "If Syaoran had had a little patience and waited for his potion to wear out, we might have had a good idea how long." Syaoran's eyes became shaped like those of a cat and he growled. "Hey, that was the second time in my life I was a girl. I don't need to be one again. I've had enough swapping of genders for one lifetime. Unless you girls want to." "WE GET THE POINT!" Mia interrupted.
Kero pointed something out. "Umm, Sakura? If you really wanted to change, why didn't you just change up in your room?" "I would have but. but. I guess I forgot!" Everyone sighed. "Well, let's go back to Syaoran's place then. I guess we'll just wait out there for a few days or until these potions wear off, whichever comes first." Mia proposed. Everyone agreed with the plan.
Their trip back to Syaoran's place was pretty uneventful until they passed by the entrance to the park. As soon as they did, Naoko approached. Kero dived deeper into Tomoyo's hair to remain unseen. (He had given Mia his bag of videogame equipment.) "Sakura! I'm so glad to see you!" Sakura looked her in the eyes. "Hello, Naoko. What's going on?" She smiled. "I was going to play badminton today with Rika against Yamazaki and Chiharu, but she said something about having to visit Tereda-sensei. Would you like to be my partner? I remember you and Syaoran had that one match. It was very impressive, so I thought I'd look for you!" Sakura recalled back to her infamous match against Syaoran. Yukito had arrived and they played with a ferocious determination to win, hoping to impress Yukito.
"Ummm.. what do you guys think? Do I have time?" Mia nodded. "Go ahead." Syaoran agreed. "I don't think we have anything better to do in the meantime." Tomoyo simply took out her camcorder and whispered to herself, "This is the perfect opportunity to get some kawaii footage!"
The birdie floated gently down before Sakura's racket smashed it over the net, too fast for Chiharu to stop it. "That's game!" Mia cried out, acting as the referee. Chiharu leaned on the net. "I'm exhausted! No wonder you wanted Sakura as your partner, Naoko, she's great!" Sakura began to blush in modesty. "Thank you, Chiharu. Want to play again?" Chiharu collapsed on a bench next to Tomoyo, who was still anxiously taping. "No thanks. Someone else can, but I'm beat." Yamazaki replied, "Well, I'm still in." Naoko did the same. "Me, too." Syaoran stood up. "I guess I'll play. If Naoko is still on your team, I'm with Yamazaki." Everyone agreed.
The game was evenly matched. No one was going to be a clear victor. But it seemed like Naoko and Yamazaki weren't even needed, since Sakura and Syaoran got most of the volleys. Tomoyo was really awed. "Such ferocity! Only Sakura can play this well!"
Finally, it was down to the wire. If Sakura's team could get the next volley, they would win. If not, it would be a tiebreaker. The birdie flew high into the air when Sakura hit it at a bad angle and it was set up perfectly to Syaoran. He leapt into the air, and smashed the birdie right back. Sakura dove for it, but she missed, and it knocked her hat off. Kero poked his head out slightly of Tomoyo's hair. "Oh no, not again!" Everyone stared. Naoko asked, "Sakura, are those cat ears on the top of your head?" She nodded. "They're ummm." "For national Cat Costume Day!" Yamazaki stated, raising one finger in the air. "National what?" Mia asked.
"National Cat Costume Day. Back in ancient Egypt, there was once a pharaoh named Cat. He was a great leader, and when he died, everyone still respected him so much that they named an animal after him, which is why Egyptians worshipped cats. But one of Cat's favorite hobbies was to dress up in costumes. Thus, people combined those two together and came up with a holiday where everyone dressed up as a cat in order to get good luck from the late pharaoh. Next, they wanted to build him a pyramid, but there was no more room in Egypt, so they decided to build it here in Japan where there was plenty of room at the time. Once it was built, people went around and spread that holiday to everyone in Japan, in honor of their leader. However, there was an earthquake, which knock down the pyramid, leaving only the support structure, which was renamed the Tokyo Tower. That's how Cat Costume Day came to be."
Syaoran thought aloud, "Wow. I never knew that." Naoko imagined in her mind the earthquake that transformed the pyramid into Tokyo Tower. Tomoyo saw through the lie and just rolled her eyes. Sakura turned to Chiharu and asked, "Is. Is that true?" A vein popped on both Mia and Chiharu's faces. "Sakura, you can actually think that has a possibility of being true?" "Grrr. WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT LYING?!" Chiharu grabbed Yamazaki by the ear and began to drag him off.
Naoko waved farewell. "I guess the game's over. I need to go home and study for the big test we have after vacation ends. Sayonara!"
Tomoyo put away her camera and picked up everything she was carrying. "I'm ready to go. Are all of you set to go?" Sakura, Syaoran, and Mia didn't reply. They merely stood in place, staring into nothingness. "Sakura? Mia? Li-kun?" "He's. here." Mia said aloud. "Who?" Tomoyo asked. "Koji. he's somewhere around here. I can feel it. Everyone, be alert." Syaoran ordered. He took out his pendant and summoned his sword, preparing for whatever may happen. Sakura released the Staff, putting the Clow and Sakura Cards by her side.
For a moment, all was still. There was no wind, no nearby traffic, no one talking, just pure silence. Tension was rising as they could all sense him coming closer.
Snap.
The sound of a small twig being stepped on was heard, and everyone immediately turned to the noise, but there was nothing there.
Click, click.
They all knew that sound all of too well. "O, card
that Clow has made, I command you to lose your form and be born again under
your new master, Sakura! SHIELD!" Gunfire was heard, but the bullets were reflected off the shield and hit the ground. Before anyone could tell what was going on, Syaoran leapt backwards and sliced with his sword. Koji's guns were damaged and flung from his hands.
Koji jumped backwards. "You bastard! Well, it matters not. I know you can't win." He dropped his ruined weapons. "I'm just sorry my blackout didn't get you killed like originally planned." Mia gasped. "That was you! I knew it!"
Syaoran shouted, "Sakura, get him now! He can't fight back!" But Sakura was already ahead of him and had a card in the air. "O, card that Clow has made, I command you to lose your form and be born again under your new master, Sakura! THUNDER!" The card glowed, turning from a bright orange to a light pink Sakura Card. A dog of pure electricity appeared in front of Sakura and jolted out a wave of electricity towards Koji. But the wicked warrior merely smiled. The electricity stopped just before him, almost as if he had been using a shield. Everyone stood, stunned. "But that's impossible! Thunder is just standing there!" Tomoyo exclaimed.
Koji reached into his jacket and pulled out a wand. Thunder's power was totally absorbed into it. Mia looked utterly shocked. "That wand just sucked up Sakura's attack!" Koji held his weapon up high. "Allow me to introduce you to the Lightning Wand. With this, I can absorb electricity in any form. Plus, I can absorb it from specific places only. For example. I could absorb the power of an entire town, except for a single truck, which I could merely switch the headlights off. You know, in case an enemy of mine were in the way!" Syaoran growled, grabbing a charm from his pocket. "You think that's funny?! FIRE!" Koji pointed the wand, sending a shockwave of electricity, pushing back Syaoran's fire, and shocking everyone else.
The pain was excruciating. When they could bear it no more, everyone collapsed. Syaoran could barely lift his head to see Koji step over Sakura. He was ready to haul her away. However, she rolled over onto her back and scratched Koji across the face. While he was distracted, Sakura got to her feet and ran. But Koji wasn't down long and gave chase. Sakura's tail popped out of her jeans, and Koji grabbed it, dragging her to the ground and then knocked her out.
"No! Leave her alone!" Syaoran tried to cry out, but he was too weak. Koji then noticed Tomoyo had one as well. "How convenient! My hostages come with handles!" He dragged the out-cold girls and opened a time portal. With one awesome feat of strength, he hurled both girls into the portal and then jumped through himself. The portal closed.
Syaoran couldn't believe what he saw. but his head throbbed. His eyes closed and he collapsed on the hard dirt.
See you, space cowboys.
Chapter 11- Hostages
Sakura, Syaoran, Mia, Tomoyo, and Kero all appeared in Sakura's backyard as if they had never left. Well, except that Syaoran was seven years older and the girls were now half-cat. Syaoran stretched his arms out. "That was rough. I think I'm ready for a long vacation." Mia concentrated her magic. "Well, we don't have time for that, meow. I can sense Koji. He's here. However, I have no idea where he is." Sakura yawned. "I want to get to bed. I'm so sleepy. we must have walked for an hour before we came back to this time. Wait a second, what if Touya or dad see me? What am I going to say?! I don't know what they'd do if they saw me! I've worn a cat suit before, but the cat parts were all fake!"
Mia thought to aloud. "She has a good point. Darn. I don't know what we're going to do. We can't let people see us." Syaoran added, "Yeah, and what will people say if they see someone who's 17 claiming to be a 10-year-old boy? I could get in a lot of trouble." Tomoyo pouted. "But what can we do? If we don't go home, our families will worry."Syaoran got an idea. "Well, you could all come over to my apartment to sleep if you wanted to. There's no school tomorrow. We could wait out there." Mia shook her head. "Well, I'm not worried about myself, since I don't have a home here anyway, but Tomoyo and Sakura have families to go home to." Tomoyo nodded. "I was looking forward to seeing mother, since she is home, but I'd rather not worry her."
Sakura snapped her fingers. "I know!" She pulled out a Clow Card. "MIRROR CARD! Create a copy of Tomoyo's and my normal forms!"
In front of them materialized perfect mirror images of the two girls. "They look just like us and no one will suspect a thing." Sakura said, but Syaoran groaned. "How many times have you tried this trick now?" She sighed. "Well, it works. That's all that matters. Now what matters is getting some rest. Mirror Card, I need you to go to our homes and just rest until we get back." "Okay. I can do that. but is your brother here?" Sakura nodded. "Err. that may be a problem. I think he can almost sense there is something wrong. but then again, if you'll only be gone a little while, I'll be fine." The Mirror Card walked towards their homes in complete silence, making sure not to make a sound.
Syaoran silently walked to Sakura's front yard and looked around. He waved his arm, signaling it was okay to move. The walked down the side of the street in almost pure darkness. Only the occasional streetlight made it possible to see where they were headed. The girls held the bells around their necks so they wouldn't make a sound.
Suddenly, Syaoran felt a surge of magic in the air. "What the hell is this? It feels like Koji is hovering around us. Where is he?" The streetlights all went out simultaneously. Syaoran grabbed his pendant and was about to summon it when he heard a loud rumbling. Syaoran jumped into the way of whatever it was, ready to face it. "MEOW! WATCH OUT, SYAORAN!" Sakura screamed as she leaped through the air and knocked Syaoran to the ground.
The streetlights all were turned on once again and a hulking semi-truck drove past where Sakura had tackled him. Mia and Tomoyo ran across the road screaming yelling, "Are you two alright?" Syaoran gasped. "You. you saved my life. again. How did you see the truck coming? I couldn't see anything." Sakura scratched her head. "Why couldn't you? I could see everything perfectly fine. I saw the truck coming from far away. Didn't you?" Syaoran shook his head. "I couldn't see anything! All of the lights were out! It was the strangest thing. No headlights, no streetlights, and even the lights in the houses all went out at once. How could you see the truck?"
Mia laughed out loud. "You know, Syaoran, it's easy to see you're not that great at finding revenge. Apparently, this potion has some benefits, too. For example, like cats, it's very easy for us to see in the dark. I noticed we don't see colors that well, but it's as clear as day to us now." Syaoran sighed. "Then again, if I hadn't changed you, I'd be dead right now." Sakura hugged him tight and he blushed. "I'm just glad you're okay, even if it means we have to be cats."
Tomoyo approached and saw them in their hugging position. She whispered, "Sakura, you're so lovely." Syaoran had his face still red as Sakura continued to hold him tight. "Ah, I think we'd better move before someone spots us. Or worse, the power may go out again. I have the feeling Koji was behind that cowardly move." Sakura and he left their embrace and stood up. Mia said, "Don't worry. We'll be your guides in the dark, just like Seeing Eye dogs. err. cats."
**
"Son of a bitch. The bastard didn't get hit by the truck," Koji cussed. "Well, at least I know my newest artifact works: The Lightning Wand. With this, I can absorb any amount of electricity from anywhere! And since I was just able to suck all the electricity out of one entire town for a brief while, I think I have sufficient power to take those brats on."
**
Syaoran opened the door to his place and turned on the lights. It looked as if he hadn't been gone more than an hour or so. Then again, in their original time, he hadn't been gone that long. "Let's see," Syaoran mumbled aloud. "Where can we all sleep. Well, there is my bed, but it's only big enough for one person, there's the couch, I have a sleeping bag that can go on the floor in my room, and. and." Mia asked, "And what?" Syaoran sighed. "I don't think I have anything or anyplace where the fourth person can sleep. There was Meilin's bed, but she took it with her when she moved out."
"HOEEE! So you mean one of us will have to sleep on the floor or something?" Syaoran nodded. "Yeah, it will be uncomfortable, but I guess so." Tomoyo said, "Well, I won't let Sakura sleep on the floor. I will." Mia shook her head. "No, let's be fair. Let's draw cards. Whoever has the highest card, with an ace being the highest, gets the bed. Second highest gets the couch. Third highest gets the sleeping bag. And we know what fourth gets. Ah, there is a deck right here."
Mia placed the deck face down on the deck and they all drew one card at random. "Okay," Mia said, "who has what? I have. a seven of clubs." Tomoyo turned hers around. "I have a ten of spades." Syaoran sighed. "I. got a two of hearts." Sakura yelled out, "HOEEEE! I guess I get the floor." Mia raised one eyebrow. "What? How is that possible?" Sakura turned her card towards them. "I have a one of hearts." Mia giggled. "Sakura, have you ever played cards much before?" Sakura shook her head. "I thought so. That's an ace! That is the highest card in value! You get the bed! I get the sleeping bag. Tomoyo gets that couch." Syaoran sighed again. "And even though it's my place, I'll sleep on the floor."
Sakura's face saddened. "Well, if you have to, that makes me feel kinda guilty. I don't want you to have to." Syaoran shook his head. "Don't worry about me. I would feel better, anyway, if I had that potion ready to drink. I really want to get back to normal." Sakura wagged her tail, thinking. It suddenly straightened out in a flash when she got an idea. "I know! Meow! Give me that potion." Syaoran put the bag down he was carrying and pulled out the bottle of 'Healthy Strong Boy #10.' "Just watch." She summoned her staff. "I've never tried this before, but maybe the Time Card can help. "TIME CARD! AGE THIS POTION BY A DAY!" A blinding light surrounded the concoction and then disappeared as fast as it appeared.
Syaoran held the potion. "It doesn't look any different. but I'll try it." He uncorked the bottle and had a small sip. Suddenly, he started to gag like he did when he drank the other potions. "Excuse me." He ran to his room and slammed the door. After a minute, he emerged, back in his old ten- year-old body. He was dressed in green-striped, buttoned pajamas.
"Finally. back to normal. I'm the same age I used to be before I left, I'm a boy, my hair's not down to my waist." Sakura grumbled. "I wish I could say the same thing." Tomoyo grinned. "Don't worry, Sakura!" She held up a video camera and began to record. "I managed to quickly pick this up while you walked here. Now I won't miss a moment of you as a kitten!" Everyone except Tomoyo fell to the ground in embarrassment.
"ANYWAY." Syaoran said impatiently, "nearly getting hit by a truck has taken it out of me. I've had enough excitement for one week. I just want to get some rest." Mia nodded her head. "Yeah. meow. I can barely keep my eyes open. I think I'll go find that sleeping bag." Tomoyo set her camera down before grabbing a blanket and lying down on the couch. "Good night, Sakura- chan, Syaoran-kun, Mia-chan. See you in the morning." "Goodnight." Mia replied.
Kero flew off silently to a nearby desk, opened it up, put down a few cotton balls to make a bed, and fell asleep.
Syaoran grabbed a blanket from the hall closet while Sakura got into Syaoran's bed in his room. Syaoran lay on the floor next to the couch, when Sakura came out and whispered, "Syaoran! Are you asleep?" He sat up and shook his head. "No, I haven't had the chance." "Good. I was just wondering. it's too hot. Do you have any cooler pajamas I can wear?" He nodded. "I have some in there somewhere."
Syaoran walked into his bedroom and opened a drawer. "Here it is." He handed her a long green shirt. "I'll wait outside while you change. Tell me if it fits."
A few minutes later, Sakura stepped out. The shirt went down to her knees. Her cute, little tail protruded out of the bottom of her shirt and waved in the air. "Arigotou, Syaoran. I feel a lot better." Syaoran nodded. "Well. then I guess. umm. I guess I'll just go to sleep. Sweet dreams, Sakura."
Sakura turned a deep shade of red, though it wasn't visible in the dark. "Well, ummm. you know, you're probably not that comfortable on the floor. you could sleep in here with me if you like. I mean, that's if you want to." Syaoran blushed as well. "Ummm. well, I bet it is cooler in there since I left the windows in there open before we left. so, I guess I could."
Syaoran set his blanket down on the floor in his room and got under it. Sakura got on all fours on Syaoran's bed. She began to knead and claw at it. A sweat drop rolled down Syaoran's head as he looked on. "Umm. Sakura, what are you doing?" She stopped in place, and a sweat drop rolled down her head too. "Hoeee. I guess that I got a few cat instincts, too, and not just the tail and ears." Syaoran laughed. "Heh. I guess so. Then again, I guess it was kinda mean of me to make you all cats." Sakura shook her head. "No, it's not that bad. It's actually kind of cool. And remember, if you hadn't, you could have been hit by that truck." "I almost forgot about that." "And I guess it was kind of mean of us to laugh so much at you when you were a girl. You really didn't want to be a girl, but you had to be." Syaoran chuckled. "It's okay. I guess it is kinda funny when I think about it. And I was one before. Remember, we did switch places in the jail cell when we battled Sadin. It's not that bad. If Koji weren't so perverted, I might not have minded at all."
Sakura slid under the sheets. "Well, I'm glad we got that all cleared up. I guess we all make a good team. I think we may actually get through all of Koji's demented plans to revive Sadin." Syaoran smiled gently. "Yeah, I think so too. Ummm. well, I guess I'll see you in the morning, Sakura. Sleep well." "Yeah, you too, Syaoran."
About a half an hour passed. Sakura rolled over. "Syaoran, are you awake, too?" He rolled over and nodded. "Yeah. Can you sense it, too? I didn't want to wake you if you didn't." Sakura nodded. "I sense it. a deep and brooding evil. Koji is nearby. I can just feel it. He's plotting and waiting." Syaoran sighed. "I can feel the same thing. He's persistent, I'll give him that."
Sakura began to tremble. "The feeling is getting stronger! It feels like Koji is nearby! It feels like he's right outside!" She grabbed all of her Sakura and Clow Cards, holding them close to her chest. Seeing the newly transformed cards from their adventure gave her confidence.
Syaoran stood up and looked out the window. "It feels like that, too. but it has to be just a trick. This feeling is different than when we are face to face with him. It's just a trick." Sakura nodded. "I can tell that. but I'm scared. I'm just such a scaredy cat." Syaoran shook his head. "That's not true! A coward wouldn't have been able to collect all of the Clow Cards AND pass the Final Judgment. You're anything BUT a scaredy cat." Sakura blushed. "I. ummm. I'm just nervous." Syaoran sat on the bed next to her and wrapped an arm around her. "I'm nervous, too, but it'll be okay."
Sakura gave a faint smile. The only light was that of the moon through an open window. It illuminated their faces in the darkness. Sakura began to rub her head up and down Syaoran's arm and purr. His face turned red and he jumped back in shock. "What are you doing?!" Sakura immediately stopped and blushed as well. "Oh! I'm so sorry!" She laughed nervously. "Cat instincts again. I can't control them." Syaoran smiled. "So, I guess you'd like THIS!" He began to scratch her behind her large ears and she purred. "That feels so heavenly. Maybe this isn't so bad." She yawned. She slowly lay down, Syaoran still petting her. Syaoran yawned as well. His eyes began to become heavy. Before he knew what happened, he had fallen asleep.
**
Syaoran felt an itch on his nose and scratched it subconsciously. Moments later, it itched again. He scratched, but it came back. He slowly opened his eyes to find. a tail in his face. and his arms wrapped around Sakura. He slowly and quietly backed away. But.
"Hey, where's Syaoran?" "I don't see him. Any sign of him over there, Mia?" "No, let me go ask Sakura, if she's up." The door was flung open and Mia stepped in. "Hey, Sakura, have you. seen." A sweat drop rolled down both Syaoran and Mia's faces. Mia started to giggle as Syaoran tried to shush her. "Shhh! Quiet! Sakura's asleep!" "Heh. I can see that! Tomoyo, get your camera!" Tomoyo rushed into the room in a blink of an eye. She ran so fast the force of her acted like a gust of wind, blowing everything aside. "A kawaii Sakura moment?!" As soon as she saw the scene, her eyes shrunk. "Uhh.. What's going on.?"
Syaoran let go of Sakura and slowly stood up. "Nothing happened! I was just sitting next to Sakura and fell asleep, okay?" Mia grabbed Tomoyo's camcorder. "Well, I'd believe that, but would Sakura when she sees this?" Syaoran began to sweat. "You wouldn't." Mia gave an evil cat-like grin. "Meow. Oh, I wouldn't?"
".Okay, what do I have to do?" Mia replied slyly, "Oh, nothing. yet. Just remember, next time I need to ask you a favor you HAVE to do it." Syaoran sighed. "Okay, okay. I'll do it. I just can't believe I'm blackmailed again. Just like back at the mage village." Tomoyo asked, "Mage village? You mean against Sadin? What happened?" Syaoran gasped and laughed timidly. "Uh, nothing! I didn't say anything! Um, I think I'll go shower! See you!" Syaoran ran out the door and slammed the door to the bathroom before anyone could say otherwise. Mia laughed at his apparent fear and Tomoyo just smiled. However, Tomoyo didn't remember overhearing Syaoran's speech back at the mage village, whispering aloud of his feelings towards Sakura.
When Syaoran emerged from the showers and was dressed, he saw Sakura wake up as he entered his room. "Good morning, Sakura." She yawned. "Hoe? Syaoran? What are you doing in my room? And. HOEEEEEE!" Sakura fell out of the bed and everyone came running. "What's wrong, Sakura-chan?" Tomoyo asked hastily. "I'M A KITTEN!"
Everyone crashed to the floor. "Well, of course you are!" Mia scolded. "Don't you remember yesterday?" Sakura just blinked for a second. "Yesterday? What. Oh! Now I remember!" A sweat drop rolled down her head. "I guess I'm just not used to waking up with this tail in my face," she said as she twisted and rubbed her tail in her hands.
Mia rolled her eyes. "How can ANYONE forget something like that even for an instant?" Kero laughed. "Oh? I could'a sworn you did something similar this morning, but I covered your mouth before you could yell! At first you thought you were under attack! Does this sound familiar? 'Help! Help! A lion or something!'" A vein popped on Mia's face. "I thought I told you never to mention that!" "Yeah, well, that's what you get for calling me a stuffed animal!" "Why you little." She began to chase Kero-chan throughout the house.
Tomoyo giggled. "Those two always make me laugh. Anyway, I think I'll go cook some breakfast. It's almost 9 o'clock. La la la la." Tomoyo went skipping off merrily down the hall, singing to herself.
Sakura stood up and rubbed her eyes. "Well, I guess I'll go wash up. HOEEE! I almost forgot! I threw my clothes from yesterday in the dirty laundry basket and I don't have a change of clothes!" Her eyes shrunk. "I don't think I can go to my house in broad daylight wearing just a shirt of yours." Syaoran's face turned red. "Ummm. well, why don't you just borrow some clothes from Tomoyo?" Sakura sighed. "Well, I would, but I got a look at her new dress she made for me. I've known her long enough to know she would only let me wear that. It's very pretty but. I don't think I'll wear it in public in broad daylight. And Mia would probably tell Tomoyo if I asked to borrow from her." Syaoran nodded in agreement. "I see. Ummm. well. you could borrow some of my clothes."
Sakura's face turned even redder. "What?! Me?! Wear guy's clothes?! I'm sorry, but no one in their right mind would wear clothes of the opposite sex." Syaoran glared at her. "AHEM! Did you also forget what I had to do for the last week or so?" A sweat drop rolled down her head. "Umm. well, that was different! You actually WERE a girl, remember?" "Oh yes, I remember it quite well. I don't think I'll forget it anytime soon." "Fine, I'll wear it. Now go and wait while I shower."
About 10 minutes later, Sakura stepped into Syaoran's kitchen, clad in a long brown shirt, a baggy pair of jeans, and a backwards, green baseball cap. Syaoran nearly choked when he saw her. "Sakura! Where are. umm. you're not a cat anymore?! I don't see the ears or tail!" Sakura lifted up her hat and the cat ears popped out from under a mess of hair and her tail poked out of the collar of her shirt. "No, I'm still a kitty, but I found a good way to hide it while I sneak over to my house to grab a few things."
Syaoran slammed his fist down on the table. "I won't hear of it! If you're going, I am, too. Koji could be around! We have to stick together." Mia nodded. "I agree. This is dangerous. We're coming along." Tomoyo nodded as well. "There's no way Kero and I will be left behind! We're coming, too! Plus, I finished a new outfit I have to film you in!" Sakura laughed uneasily. "Oh? I hadn't noticed. Well, let's go after breakfast."
Around ten minutes later, they all left Syaoran's place and headed towards Sakura's house. All of the girls wore hats to cover their ears and hid their tails in their shirts to avoid any unwanted attention. But something caught their eye when they were about halfway there. At an intersection, near where they were when the lights went out the night before, there were the remains of an accident. A semi-truck had collided with a lamppost. Police officers and emergency workers were cleaning up the wreckage. The group's curiosity got the best of them and they approached. "Excuse me, officer," Mia asked, "what happened here?"
An officer turned around. "It's the weirdest thing. Last night between midnight and one, we got reports of a blackout. But it wasn't just streetlamps and homes, but even the headlights of cars went out. This guy was driving along when it happened. Apparently, some teenager was walking by at the same time, couldn't see, and walked into the road. The poor kid would have been dead if a friend of him or her hadn't moved him out of the way, if what the driver could make out is true. The lights went back on momentarily, but the driver was so scared and worried about the kid that he lost control and he hit this pole. Don't worry. He's fine, just a little shaken up. Now, you kids hurry along. There's some broken glass on the ground and we don't want you stepping in it." They all nodded and walked back onto the sidewalk and towards Sakura's house.
When they arrived, Syaoran and Mia waited outside. Kero flew up to Sakura's room via an open window and Sakura and Tomoyo entered through the front door. "Now, Tomoyo, be extra quiet. The Mirror Card is still up here as a distraction. I just need you to act as a diversion for Touya while I grab everything I need. Okay?" Sakura whispered softly. Tomoyo nodded silently. "Okay, now let's go!"
Tomoyo walked into the kitchen while Sakura walked up the stairs. "Daidouji? What are you doing here?" "Konnichiwa, Touya-san. I came here to wait for Sakura." "Wait for her? For what?" "She was over at my house for a party and she needed to pick up. a change of clothes. Someone knocked her in the pool by mistake. Li-kun loaned her some of his clothes for the time being." "What are you talking about? Sakura was just upstairs in her room a minute ago." "No, she left quite a while ago. You must not have seen her leave."
Sakura stopped listening and moved to her room silently. First, she called back the Mirror Card, who was sitting at her desk. She grabbed her backpack and threw in as many outfits as she could. She grabbed her cell phone and Kero's as well. She finished packing when she noticed Kero trying to lift a large bag at least ten times his own size. "Kero, what the heck is that?!" The Guardian Beast strained his muscles as he carried it out a window. "ARGH! What else? My video games! I only packed the essentials!" Sakura fell face first onto the floor.
Sakura slowly made her way out of her room with her backpack full of supplies she would need over the next day or so. She slipped silently down the stairs. until. "HOEEEEE!" She lost her balance, tumbled down, and landed on the kitchen floor.
"Ow." A hand extended to help her up. "Ouch. thanks, Tom-GASP! YUKITO-SAN!" Sakura's entire face reddened. "Yukito! Umm.. uhh. Arigotou! I didn't know you were here!" "Never mind that, are you okay?" "Err. oh, yeah, I'm fine." Touya laughed. Don't worry. The monster's too heavy. I'd be more worried about the floor." Sakura jumped up and gave Touya a well-placed kick to the face. "I'M NOT HEAVY!" Yukito smiled. "Just ignore him. I'm glad you're alright. Now, you go have fun at that party." Touya sat up and rubbed his face. "Grrr. Fine. You can go. But since today you are supposed to clean up, you'll do ALL of the chores this weekend!" Sakura sighed. She really didn't want to do all the chores, but what choice did she have?
"Ok, I'll do them all next weekend." Yukito smiled, causing Sakura to practically melt into a puddle of the spot. "Just have a fun time. I'm sure it will be well worth it. Now, you're brother and I are headed towards the café. See you later!"
Sakura bowed. "Ar-arigotou, Yukito-san." However, Sakura's cap fell off her head when she bowed. Touya and Yukito's eyes widened. "S-S-Sakura, what the hell is that?!" Touya blurted out as he pointed to her head. "What's wrong with my." Sakura rubbed her head, feeling her cat ears. She began to sweat. She had been caught. What could she do? She could only try to lie, but she wasn't as good and natural at it as Tomoyo was. "Err. It's. for Tomoyo's party! It's a costume party!" She pulled out her tail. "See? It's fake." Yukito scratched his head. "A costume party? You were going swimming at a costume party?" Tomoyo shook her head. "No, we weren't going swimming, we were just outside by the pool when someone ran by and knocked her in." Touya nodded. "I see. But that tail doesn't look fake to me. It's moving on its own!" "Ummm. It's battery-powered?" "Let me take a look at it." The hair on Sakura's body stood on end. "Umm. no! We really have to go! We're going to be late!" Touya stepped closer still. "I have a job later, and some of the employees wear that as part of the uniform. I just wanna see what it's like." "No! Wait! I-"
Touya grabbed onto the swaying tail and felt it. "Huh? It even feels real." Yukito answered, "It really looks good, like a professional did it. Must have been very expensive. You know, it's very cute! Maybe I could try it on and wear it for a special occasion! What do you think?" Touya sighed. "You really would do that? Well, here. Let me borrow this for a second." "NO! WAIT! DON'T! MEOW!" Touya gave her tail a giant tug and the pain shot up Sakura's back. "OW!" Touya looked confused. "What the hell?" He continued to pull on it harder and harder. Tears started to form in Sakura's eyes, but she couldn't let them know it hurt. "Ow. err. I think we really have to hurry back to the party! Ow!" Touya continued to pull. "This will only take a second. What the hell did you do? Super glue it to your back?!" She finally couldn't take it anymore and she ripped her tail out of her brother's hands. "We really have to go! Bye!" And with that, the two cat- girls ran for the door as fast as they could.
Once outside, Mia, Syaoran, and Kero approached. Tomoyo commented, "I'm impressed, Sakura! Anyone I know would have been in total pain if that happened!" Suddenly, Sakura broke out in tears and screamed as she rubbed her butt with her hands. "OW! OW! OW! OW! OW! OW! OW! OW! IT HURTS! IT HURTS! I won't sit down for a week!" A sweat drop rolled down everyone's heads. Mia asked, "What happened?" Tomoyo laughed nervously. "Touya thought Sakura's tail was just a costume and Yukito-san wanted to see it, so he tried to umm. remove it." Mia, Syaoran, and Kero winced thinking about the pain. "Well, at least you got your clothes, right?" Syaoran asked. Sakura nodded as she showed him the bag of clothes. "My school uniform, pajamas, a swimsuit, a few days' worth of normal outfits, everything I think I'll need. We have no idea how long this may last, so I want to be prepared." Kero nodded. "That's smart thinking."
Mia sighed. "If Syaoran had had a little patience and waited for his potion to wear out, we might have had a good idea how long." Syaoran's eyes became shaped like those of a cat and he growled. "Hey, that was the second time in my life I was a girl. I don't need to be one again. I've had enough swapping of genders for one lifetime. Unless you girls want to." "WE GET THE POINT!" Mia interrupted.
Kero pointed something out. "Umm, Sakura? If you really wanted to change, why didn't you just change up in your room?" "I would have but. but. I guess I forgot!" Everyone sighed. "Well, let's go back to Syaoran's place then. I guess we'll just wait out there for a few days or until these potions wear off, whichever comes first." Mia proposed. Everyone agreed with the plan.
Their trip back to Syaoran's place was pretty uneventful until they passed by the entrance to the park. As soon as they did, Naoko approached. Kero dived deeper into Tomoyo's hair to remain unseen. (He had given Mia his bag of videogame equipment.) "Sakura! I'm so glad to see you!" Sakura looked her in the eyes. "Hello, Naoko. What's going on?" She smiled. "I was going to play badminton today with Rika against Yamazaki and Chiharu, but she said something about having to visit Tereda-sensei. Would you like to be my partner? I remember you and Syaoran had that one match. It was very impressive, so I thought I'd look for you!" Sakura recalled back to her infamous match against Syaoran. Yukito had arrived and they played with a ferocious determination to win, hoping to impress Yukito.
"Ummm.. what do you guys think? Do I have time?" Mia nodded. "Go ahead." Syaoran agreed. "I don't think we have anything better to do in the meantime." Tomoyo simply took out her camcorder and whispered to herself, "This is the perfect opportunity to get some kawaii footage!"
The birdie floated gently down before Sakura's racket smashed it over the net, too fast for Chiharu to stop it. "That's game!" Mia cried out, acting as the referee. Chiharu leaned on the net. "I'm exhausted! No wonder you wanted Sakura as your partner, Naoko, she's great!" Sakura began to blush in modesty. "Thank you, Chiharu. Want to play again?" Chiharu collapsed on a bench next to Tomoyo, who was still anxiously taping. "No thanks. Someone else can, but I'm beat." Yamazaki replied, "Well, I'm still in." Naoko did the same. "Me, too." Syaoran stood up. "I guess I'll play. If Naoko is still on your team, I'm with Yamazaki." Everyone agreed.
The game was evenly matched. No one was going to be a clear victor. But it seemed like Naoko and Yamazaki weren't even needed, since Sakura and Syaoran got most of the volleys. Tomoyo was really awed. "Such ferocity! Only Sakura can play this well!"
Finally, it was down to the wire. If Sakura's team could get the next volley, they would win. If not, it would be a tiebreaker. The birdie flew high into the air when Sakura hit it at a bad angle and it was set up perfectly to Syaoran. He leapt into the air, and smashed the birdie right back. Sakura dove for it, but she missed, and it knocked her hat off. Kero poked his head out slightly of Tomoyo's hair. "Oh no, not again!" Everyone stared. Naoko asked, "Sakura, are those cat ears on the top of your head?" She nodded. "They're ummm." "For national Cat Costume Day!" Yamazaki stated, raising one finger in the air. "National what?" Mia asked.
"National Cat Costume Day. Back in ancient Egypt, there was once a pharaoh named Cat. He was a great leader, and when he died, everyone still respected him so much that they named an animal after him, which is why Egyptians worshipped cats. But one of Cat's favorite hobbies was to dress up in costumes. Thus, people combined those two together and came up with a holiday where everyone dressed up as a cat in order to get good luck from the late pharaoh. Next, they wanted to build him a pyramid, but there was no more room in Egypt, so they decided to build it here in Japan where there was plenty of room at the time. Once it was built, people went around and spread that holiday to everyone in Japan, in honor of their leader. However, there was an earthquake, which knock down the pyramid, leaving only the support structure, which was renamed the Tokyo Tower. That's how Cat Costume Day came to be."
Syaoran thought aloud, "Wow. I never knew that." Naoko imagined in her mind the earthquake that transformed the pyramid into Tokyo Tower. Tomoyo saw through the lie and just rolled her eyes. Sakura turned to Chiharu and asked, "Is. Is that true?" A vein popped on both Mia and Chiharu's faces. "Sakura, you can actually think that has a possibility of being true?" "Grrr. WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT LYING?!" Chiharu grabbed Yamazaki by the ear and began to drag him off.
Naoko waved farewell. "I guess the game's over. I need to go home and study for the big test we have after vacation ends. Sayonara!"
Tomoyo put away her camera and picked up everything she was carrying. "I'm ready to go. Are all of you set to go?" Sakura, Syaoran, and Mia didn't reply. They merely stood in place, staring into nothingness. "Sakura? Mia? Li-kun?" "He's. here." Mia said aloud. "Who?" Tomoyo asked. "Koji. he's somewhere around here. I can feel it. Everyone, be alert." Syaoran ordered. He took out his pendant and summoned his sword, preparing for whatever may happen. Sakura released the Staff, putting the Clow and Sakura Cards by her side.
For a moment, all was still. There was no wind, no nearby traffic, no one talking, just pure silence. Tension was rising as they could all sense him coming closer.
Snap.
The sound of a small twig being stepped on was heard, and everyone immediately turned to the noise, but there was nothing there.
Click, click.
They all knew that sound all of too well. "O, card
that Clow has made, I command you to lose your form and be born again under
your new master, Sakura! SHIELD!" Gunfire was heard, but the bullets were reflected off the shield and hit the ground. Before anyone could tell what was going on, Syaoran leapt backwards and sliced with his sword. Koji's guns were damaged and flung from his hands.
Koji jumped backwards. "You bastard! Well, it matters not. I know you can't win." He dropped his ruined weapons. "I'm just sorry my blackout didn't get you killed like originally planned." Mia gasped. "That was you! I knew it!"
Syaoran shouted, "Sakura, get him now! He can't fight back!" But Sakura was already ahead of him and had a card in the air. "O, card that Clow has made, I command you to lose your form and be born again under your new master, Sakura! THUNDER!" The card glowed, turning from a bright orange to a light pink Sakura Card. A dog of pure electricity appeared in front of Sakura and jolted out a wave of electricity towards Koji. But the wicked warrior merely smiled. The electricity stopped just before him, almost as if he had been using a shield. Everyone stood, stunned. "But that's impossible! Thunder is just standing there!" Tomoyo exclaimed.
Koji reached into his jacket and pulled out a wand. Thunder's power was totally absorbed into it. Mia looked utterly shocked. "That wand just sucked up Sakura's attack!" Koji held his weapon up high. "Allow me to introduce you to the Lightning Wand. With this, I can absorb electricity in any form. Plus, I can absorb it from specific places only. For example. I could absorb the power of an entire town, except for a single truck, which I could merely switch the headlights off. You know, in case an enemy of mine were in the way!" Syaoran growled, grabbing a charm from his pocket. "You think that's funny?! FIRE!" Koji pointed the wand, sending a shockwave of electricity, pushing back Syaoran's fire, and shocking everyone else.
The pain was excruciating. When they could bear it no more, everyone collapsed. Syaoran could barely lift his head to see Koji step over Sakura. He was ready to haul her away. However, she rolled over onto her back and scratched Koji across the face. While he was distracted, Sakura got to her feet and ran. But Koji wasn't down long and gave chase. Sakura's tail popped out of her jeans, and Koji grabbed it, dragging her to the ground and then knocked her out.
"No! Leave her alone!" Syaoran tried to cry out, but he was too weak. Koji then noticed Tomoyo had one as well. "How convenient! My hostages come with handles!" He dragged the out-cold girls and opened a time portal. With one awesome feat of strength, he hurled both girls into the portal and then jumped through himself. The portal closed.
Syaoran couldn't believe what he saw. but his head throbbed. His eyes closed and he collapsed on the hard dirt.
See you, space cowboys.