Yay! A new chapter! Arigotou gozaimasu to all of you who reviewed. However,
now that my march through hellfire and brimstone-I mean a new school year
has started, my updates may be less frequent. But do not worry, I will try
to have at least one chapter out a week still. As always, read, review, but
most of all, enjoy!
Chapter 18- HOE?! We're going where?!
The sound of footsteps was loud down the alley Sakura charged through. "SYAORAN! I'M COMING! HOLD ON A LITTLE LONGER!" Tomoyo and Kero were right behind her. The raven-haired girl turned to Kero and asked, "Kero, what's going on?" "The Li kid is in serious trouble. Remember when Koji tried to kill Kumiko and Sakura's arm disappeared? And then she lost a ton of weight?" Tomoyo nodded. "I remember all of too well. Wait, you mean.?" "'Fraid so. It looks like Syaoran is going through the same thing!" Tomoyo's eyes filled with tears. "How horrible! And if something happens to him, Sakura will never be the same! We'll lose two friends! We must help him!"
Sakura's legs burned with exhaustion. "I-- I can't slow down! I won't let myself. Wait!" She darted behind a house and grabbed the key around her neck.
"O, Key that holds the Power of the Stars. Reveal your true form to me! RELEASE! DASH!"
With blinding speed, Sakura charged down the road. People could see nothing but a blur passing by. In a matter of seconds, Sakura reached Syaoran's apartment. The door was flung open and slammed into the wall. Tears began to pour down her face as she called out for the boy. "Syaoran, where are you?" She eyed the bedroom door and rushed in.
Her jaw dropped. "Syaoran! Please! Be alright!"
Mia was already by the boy's side. Sakura walked up to the bed and kneeled down. She covered her mouth with her hands. "Oh, my God." Syaoran was on top of the covers of his bed. He, too, had lost an incredible amount of weight. He looked almost like a skeleton. But what startled Sakura the most was his left leg. It was gone! "Just like my arm. No. I know what this feels like. Syaoran, I can't let this happen to you! No, I won't let it!" Mia grabbed Sakura by the arm. "Calm down, Sakura! Take a deep breath! You're going to hyperventilate." Sakura breathed in and calmed down. But it wasn't long before she was nearly choking on her tears.
Syaoran slowly opened his eyes. "Sakura." The sound of his voice passed through her tears and made her turn around instantly. "Syaoran? You're awake!" She held his left hand between hers. He felt so warm. Syaoran put his other hand on Sakura's cheek and wiped away her tears. He gave a faint smile. "Sakura, don't cry. It. It. It'll take more than this to keep me down for good."
Tomoyo and Kero came through the door. Both just stared and said nothing.
"Sakura. I." "No, don't say anything. Save your strength, I'll be right back." Sakura stood up and ran through the door. No one knew what to do or say. The air was filled with tension.
A moment later, Sakura returned with a bunch of bags with her. She scrambled through Li's drawers, grabbing more and more supplies and clothes. When she was finished, she asked, "Mia! You said you could sense when and where Koji is. Can you tell me exactly when?" "Uhhh, of course. I first detected it while I was shopping. But I hadn't the time to check. Let's see. Koji. he's. the disaster will take place. It's a long way back. It's. The disaster will happen. 1,000 years ago from the last Chinese New Year!" Sakura grasped her staff. Then. That's where we're headed! However. The Time Card can't send us that far back. It can't handle a thousand years. I know!"
"O, card that Clow has made, I command you to lose your form and be born again under your new master, Sakura! RETURN! Return us to a month before the disaster in the Li family, 1,000 years ago!"
The entire room lit up and the house shook. But in a flash, the five of them had vanished.
A small river flowed through the forest. A small waterfall, a meter or two high, made enough noise to cover the sounds of the animals moving through the vegetation. All of this flashed with light before the entire group, consisting of Sakura, Syaoran, Tomoyo, Mia, and Kero, appeared in its midst.
"Syaoran, how do you feel now?" Sakura was the first to speak. She immediately turned to the boy, who was lying in a patch of grass. His legs were back to normal, but he was terribly skinny, still. "Ah. I feel better." Syaoran said as he sat up, but his stomach let out a large growl. "Err. I guess I'm a little hungry, though." Mia laughed. "It's no wonder. Here, let me feel your head." She put the palm of her hand on Syaoran's forehead. "Hmm. no more fever. You'll recover just fine. But first, let's make you some food!" Tomoyo grabbed a measuring tape from her back pocket and measured his waist. "You must've lost at least 10 pounds. That's not healthy for someone your size to do so fast. We'll have to get you a lot to eat. Just lie down and relax. Don't do anything too strenuous." The boy lay back down. "Don't. don't worry about that. I'm losing energy, and fast. I. I can barely talk. I'm so tired."
Sakura turned her head from her seated position of picking up wood for a fire. "Syaoran? If you're like that, and I know how it feels, just stay calm. We'll fill you up in a minute. This is serious." ".Okay. I will."
A few minutes later, Mia cast a fire spell to light the campfire as Tomoyo began to boil water for her noodles. Kero flew back and forth with supplies to set up a camp for the night. "Hey, if I get camp finished, can I have some of that stuff you're cooking, too?" Tomoyo smiled. "Of course! There will be enough to go around." "Yay! Wahoo! I'll hurry then!" Sakura paid no attention to this. She had Syaoran's head in her lap. She just gently moved her fingers through his messy hair. She stared into his eyes. Even if his stomach was empty, to her, his eyes seemed full of life. Her cheeks reddened.
Within 15 more minutes, Tomoyo was pouring a spoonful of noodles into a bowl. She handed it to Sakura. "Syaoran, open wide. This will help you regain your strength." Sakura lifted Syaoran's head and gently helped him eat it, piece by piece.
Mia sighed. "It's really kind of touching. Sakura would do anything for him, yet she doesn't even know it. Am I right, Tomoyo? Umm. Tomoyo?"
The sounds of a recording camera came as Tomoyo's eyes sparkled from behind her camcorder. "My dear Sakura-chan, I must record your cuteness while feeding your beloved!" Mia fell to the ground upon seeing her.
Kero patted his stomach in relief upon finishing his noodles. "Ah, that was great. I'm ready for a nice nap." Mia yawned as she nodded it agreement. "I'm beat. Running all the way back to Syaoran's place tired me out. But first, Sakura, how is Syaoran doing?" Sakura shushed her. "Shh! Syaoran's asleep." Sure enough, the boy had his eyes shut and was breathing gently. He rolled over in his sleep, his hand still in Sakura's. "You go to bed. I'll take Syaoran to our tent. I know I promised to sleep with you in your tent, Tomoyo, but Syaoran needs someone to watch over him during the night. I'd never forgive myself if something happened and I weren't there." Tomoyo frowned. "Well, if it's for Li." She smiled, "then I understand." Sakura smiled as well. "Then I'll see you in the morning." Mia and Tomoyo whispered, "Alright. Goodnight, Sakura."
When everyone else was in his or her tent, Sakura noticed a Sakura tree nearby with lovely blossoms of pink. "Kawaii! They're so beautiful! I'll just take some for later." She picked a few off the branches. "Oh, right, Syaoran."
"O, card that Clow has made, I command you to lose your form and be born again under your new master, Sakura! MOVE! Put Syaoran in his tent!"
Syaoran was gently pushed into his tent. Once she had him in the tent, she gently placed him on the ground and rolled a sheet onto him to keep him warm. Instinctively, she bent down and kissed him on the forehead. Even in his sleep, Syaoran reddened and rolled over. A few seconds later, "HOE! What am I doing?" She quickly covered her mouth to make sure she didn't say anything to wake Syaoran. "It. It was nothing." she whispered as she pulled up the same sheet Syaoran was under over herself. Her eyelids were heavy and it was not long before she, too, was asleep.
The sound of conversation outside and the slightest beam of light peering through a small hole in the tent woke Sakura. As she stuck her head out through the hole in the tent, she saw Mia, Tomoyo, and Kero looking at something on a tree stump that had fallen due to lightning. As she got closer, she could tell it was a map. ".Okay, so, unless Japan had changed significantly in 1,000 years, which it hasn't, then this modern map should do just fine. From here, we-Oh, good morning, Sakura." Tomoyo turned towards Sakura, "Good morning, Sakura. Did you sleep well?" Sakura nodded. "Yes, thank you. What are you doing out here?" Kero put pins down on a few spots of the map and replied, "We're trying to find the best trail to take us to Hong Kong."
Sakura stood silent for a second before it hit her. "HOEEEEE?! We're going WHERE?!" Mia replied, "Shhh! Li is. Anyway, of course we're going to China. That's where all of his ancestors are, right?" Sakura asked, "Wait, if we're going to China, why didn't we just take a plane to China before we went back in time?" Tomoyo had the answer to that question. "Because, I'm afraid he wouldn't have survived the journey. In fact, he wouldn't be alive now if you hadn't saved him by taking us all back in time." A sweat drop rolled down Sakura's head. "Oh. I see. I'm sorry, I forgot that part." "It's okay, Sakura. Besides, this gives me ample time to start making you some of my very own Chinese outfits along the way!" Sakura fell off the stump she was sitting on and onto the ground.
Mia and Kero made the fire for cooking breakfast. Tomoyo prepared all the food. Sakura took a shower under the waterfall a mere 50 meters from camp.
Breakfast was ready and Sakura returned, clad in a matching tan pleated skirt and short sleeved vest, for she had never had the chance before to change out of her cheerleading outfit from the day before. Also, Sakura had never brought any of her clothes along, but of course Tomoyo always had an emergency supply of clothes and material for making them for just such a situation. At that time, Syaoran emerged from the tent. "Good morning, everyone." Sakura smiled. "You're awake! You look so much better!" Syaoran smiled. "Thanks to you, of course. I'm still a little hungry, though." Tomoyo smiled as she poured a bowl of food for Syaoran. "Well, you still look like you're wasting away. We'll fill you up soon enough. Then, we can all bathe in the river, get some dry clothes, pack up camp, and be on our way. Kero and Mia already decided the best route."
Syaoran quickly ate his breakfast while sitting on a stump. But halfway through it, he looked up and talked. "By the way, last night, I had the strangest dream. While I was asleep, I saw an angel lay me down and then she kissed me on the forehead. She had all of these Sakura blossoms around her. When I woke up, I had a Sakura blossom on my sleeping bag." Syaoran didn't notice Sakura's eyes shrinking or the sweat drop on her head. Mia pondered. "Li, could it be a premonition? Like maybe you'll meet an angel or something? What do you think, Sakura? You have these dreams, too." Sakura shook her head furiously and waved her arms. "It. It means nothing! Nothing at all! I'll bet that's what it is! Nothing! Err. you know, Syaoran, why don't you go take a bath? Here, let me show you where it is!" "Hey- wait a min-"
It was too late. Sakura was pushing the boy against his will towards the stream. A sweat drop rolled down each of the remaining group member's heads. "What was that all about?" Kero asked.
A half hour later, Syaoran was returning, dressed in a green short-sleeved shirt and brown jeans. He was still drying his hair with a towel. The girls and Kero were packing everything. They loaded up all of the supplies into their backpacks and carried them off. Mia was the lead, carrying a map and compass. "According to my directions, to reach our destination, we'll need 5 days of walking southwest from here. Then, well, I have a plan, and we'll discuss it when we arrive, alright?" They all agreed.
The next four days went on without much event. They had the bare minimum of supplies, but thanks to Tomoyo's clothes, Sakura's Create Card to make extra supplies, Mia's magic spells, and Syaoran's hunting, they had plentiful food and clothes. Also, Syaoran had seemingly returned to just about normal. He was still thin, but barely any thinner than he used to be.
However, on the fifth day.
Sakura sat up against a tree and took off her shoes so she could wiggle her toes. "Ahhh, that feels great. How long have we been walking, Mia?" "This is the 5th day. If my calculations are correct, we will only have one more. huh?" Mia spread away some of the vines and leaves in the way of the path. "Wait, we're here! This village is right where I thought it would be!" Sakura put her shoes back on. "Really? Let me see!" She rushed over to where everyone else stood.
There was a small village with houses of stone. Smoke rose from a few holes on the roofs. Mia looked at the waterfront and spotted a small pier. "Aha! That's where we're going! Follow me."
The entire group walked silently through the village as not to attract any attention. When the reached the water, Li asked, "What are we doing here?" Mia hopped onto the docks. "Look!" She pointed to a sturdy-looking boat. "That's how we're getting to China." "WHAT?" Sakura screamed. "We can't steal a boat! That's wrong!" Mia smiled. "Don't think of it as stealing, just 'borrowing with no intention of returning.'" Sakura shook her head. "No! There has to be a way. Why don't I use the Fly Card and Kero can transform and we can both carry everyone over this lake?" Mia blinked and stared vacantly at her. "Umm. lake? Sakura, you don't seem to understand. This isn't a lake. This is an ocean. First of all, there's no way you and Kero could hold the three of us and all of our luggage." Kero added, "My back hurts just thinking about it." "Anyway, the second thing is that it's too great a distance. It would take two days and a half to fly across. China is still a long way away. Do you think you could fly that long and not fall asleep?" Sakura had no reply. "Exactly. We need this boat."
"HEY! YOU! STOP!"'
Suddenly, the group found themselves surrounded by native villagers. "Who are you, and what are you doing with the boat of the Great Goddess?" Kero hid in Tomoyo's hair. "Great Goddess?" Sakura asked. "Yes," the apparent leader of the village people stated. "It is said that one day, a Great Goddess that watches over our village would come for a boat. The Great Goddess would be in the body of a small girl, followed by her escorts. That night, there would be a great storm and the Goddess would then call the storm away. Then we are to give the boat to her so she can cross the waters back to watch over us again. It's a blessing to our lands if we fulfill this." Tomoyo smiled. "Do not worry, for we weren't going to take your boat. You see." she pointed to Sakura, "here is your Goddess!"
"HOEEEEEEEEE! TOMOYO!" Everyone fell to the ground.
"That's right, the young girl you see before you has come for this boat to cross the waters and bring a blessing to you all! Look at her! She's so cute, charming, and wonderful, just like any Great Goddess!" The leader thought hard for a minute. "Well, that does make sense. We shall wait until tonight. If there is no storm, or you are unable to call the storm off, we shall have to execute you for lying and fraud. Now, guards, you may take our guests to their rooms. Let none of them come out until there is a storm."
A minute later, they sat inside the largest of the village houses. There was not much to the house. Besides three beds, which meant Sakura and Tomoyo had to share one (To make up for Sakura staying with Syaoran as Sakura felt guilty), there was not anything else. As soon as Mia sat on her bed, she asked, "Tomoyo, what were you thinking? Now we're all going to be executed in the morning for heresy!" Tomoyo giggled. "Oh, no we're not. There's going to be a storm tonight, and Sakura is going to clear it up!" "Hoe?" Tomoyo walked over to Sakura and whispered in her ear. "Do you like the plan?" Sakura nodded. "Great! Then let me go get your outfit! You'll need it if you want to be a Goddess!" Her eyes sparkled. "Just think, for once, Sakura will be a real Goddess." Sweat drops rolled down everyone else's heads.
"It's 7:46 p.m." Syaoran read his digital watch. "Okay, Sakura, you've got the outfit, you have your staff, and it's nightfall. Let's go to phase one." Sakura nodded.
"O, card that Clow has made, I command you to lose your form and be born again under your new master, Sakura! STORM! Create a raging storm over this village!"
The rumble of thunder was heard overhead. It continued to get louder and louder until it was deafening. Rain poured down onto the roof until it was almost as loud as the thunder. Great flashes of lightning lit up the entire room for brief instances.
A guard ran into the room. "A storm! Does that. could you. err. Right this way, my Lady, please, show us your powers."
Sakura stepped out into the storm. Bright flashes of lightning revealed the outfit Tomoyo had given her. It was a white ball gown with two large, clear wings on the back. She had a small tiara made of Sakura blossoms she had picked earlier. "The image of a Goddess for one who will play a Goddess." That was Tomoyo's design idea, but everyone else wondered more of where she got the material.
As Sakura walked to the waterfront, the other villagers gather around the temporary hut of Syaoran, Tomoyo, Mia, and Kero.
When Sakura reached the waterfront, she was too far in the distance and it was far too dark for anyone to see what she was doing. But with every flash of lightning, they saw her lift her Staff into the air. Suddenly, the thunder and lightning ceased. Then the rain slowly stopped. Within a matter of seconds, the clouds disappeared as well. A rainbow stretched across the sky. Rainwater dripped off the leaves of trees. The grass gleamed in the protruding sunlight. A heavy mist hung in the air alongside a gentle breeze.
There was total silence. The villagers stood in awe. She had done it. Suddenly the village erupted in cheer. "She is truly our Goddess!" "She has done it!" "Blessings are upon our village!" "A feast! We need a feast, for it is a great day for us all!" They entire village, around 100 or so people, hoisted Sakura onto their shoulders.
"Wait, the God! Where is the Goddess without her God?" "He's right!" "Wait, isn't that him?" "Yes! Who else could it be?" The villagers pointed to Syaoran before hoisting him up as well. Tomoyo and Mia followed close behind.
They were all taken to a meeting hall where, apparently, many villagers were quickly preparing a variety of foods. Before they could all even figure out what was going on, all the food they could eat was placed before them. Sakura happily dug in, though. "Yum! This is delicious. Of all of these adventures we've had, this has to be one of my favorite parts!"
Syaoran sat puzzled. He still didn't know what was going on. "Ex-excuse me. What exactly is going on?" A villager stared back and bowed. "F-forgive us, O Great God and Goddess. We didn't fully explain. You have proven the legends to be true. And, it is also said that traveling with the Goddess would be her God husband." Sakura and Syaoran's faces turned bright red. "Err. husband and wife?" They both stared at each other and their eyes shrunk. "Uh. umm. of course!" Syaoran embarrassingly wrapped his arm around Sakura. "I. err. could never forget my dear. w-w-wife!" Sakura tried to do the same. "Well, of course I go everywhere with my husband! We're never apart!"
For the entire meal, their faces were red just from the thought of it. Once they finished they set out. The villagers walked them to the docks, where they loaded up the group's luggage. The village leader bowed to them. "Thank you, for blessing our village, O Great Goddess. We hope to see you again." Sakura and the rest bowed too. "We shall be sure to. ummm. watch over your village for eternity."
Tomoyo leapt from the boat and whispered to the village leader. He nodded and Tomoyo got back in. "What was that all about?" Mia asked. Tomoyo giggled. "You'll see one day."
Mia pushed the boat off the dock and it floated away from dock until they were out of sight from the land. Mia placed a foot on the head of the boat. "Alright, we have supplies, our weapons, and our luggage. Now, TO CHINA!"
Life is but a dream.
Chapter 18- HOE?! We're going where?!
The sound of footsteps was loud down the alley Sakura charged through. "SYAORAN! I'M COMING! HOLD ON A LITTLE LONGER!" Tomoyo and Kero were right behind her. The raven-haired girl turned to Kero and asked, "Kero, what's going on?" "The Li kid is in serious trouble. Remember when Koji tried to kill Kumiko and Sakura's arm disappeared? And then she lost a ton of weight?" Tomoyo nodded. "I remember all of too well. Wait, you mean.?" "'Fraid so. It looks like Syaoran is going through the same thing!" Tomoyo's eyes filled with tears. "How horrible! And if something happens to him, Sakura will never be the same! We'll lose two friends! We must help him!"
Sakura's legs burned with exhaustion. "I-- I can't slow down! I won't let myself. Wait!" She darted behind a house and grabbed the key around her neck.
"O, Key that holds the Power of the Stars. Reveal your true form to me! RELEASE! DASH!"
With blinding speed, Sakura charged down the road. People could see nothing but a blur passing by. In a matter of seconds, Sakura reached Syaoran's apartment. The door was flung open and slammed into the wall. Tears began to pour down her face as she called out for the boy. "Syaoran, where are you?" She eyed the bedroom door and rushed in.
Her jaw dropped. "Syaoran! Please! Be alright!"
Mia was already by the boy's side. Sakura walked up to the bed and kneeled down. She covered her mouth with her hands. "Oh, my God." Syaoran was on top of the covers of his bed. He, too, had lost an incredible amount of weight. He looked almost like a skeleton. But what startled Sakura the most was his left leg. It was gone! "Just like my arm. No. I know what this feels like. Syaoran, I can't let this happen to you! No, I won't let it!" Mia grabbed Sakura by the arm. "Calm down, Sakura! Take a deep breath! You're going to hyperventilate." Sakura breathed in and calmed down. But it wasn't long before she was nearly choking on her tears.
Syaoran slowly opened his eyes. "Sakura." The sound of his voice passed through her tears and made her turn around instantly. "Syaoran? You're awake!" She held his left hand between hers. He felt so warm. Syaoran put his other hand on Sakura's cheek and wiped away her tears. He gave a faint smile. "Sakura, don't cry. It. It. It'll take more than this to keep me down for good."
Tomoyo and Kero came through the door. Both just stared and said nothing.
"Sakura. I." "No, don't say anything. Save your strength, I'll be right back." Sakura stood up and ran through the door. No one knew what to do or say. The air was filled with tension.
A moment later, Sakura returned with a bunch of bags with her. She scrambled through Li's drawers, grabbing more and more supplies and clothes. When she was finished, she asked, "Mia! You said you could sense when and where Koji is. Can you tell me exactly when?" "Uhhh, of course. I first detected it while I was shopping. But I hadn't the time to check. Let's see. Koji. he's. the disaster will take place. It's a long way back. It's. The disaster will happen. 1,000 years ago from the last Chinese New Year!" Sakura grasped her staff. Then. That's where we're headed! However. The Time Card can't send us that far back. It can't handle a thousand years. I know!"
"O, card that Clow has made, I command you to lose your form and be born again under your new master, Sakura! RETURN! Return us to a month before the disaster in the Li family, 1,000 years ago!"
The entire room lit up and the house shook. But in a flash, the five of them had vanished.
A small river flowed through the forest. A small waterfall, a meter or two high, made enough noise to cover the sounds of the animals moving through the vegetation. All of this flashed with light before the entire group, consisting of Sakura, Syaoran, Tomoyo, Mia, and Kero, appeared in its midst.
"Syaoran, how do you feel now?" Sakura was the first to speak. She immediately turned to the boy, who was lying in a patch of grass. His legs were back to normal, but he was terribly skinny, still. "Ah. I feel better." Syaoran said as he sat up, but his stomach let out a large growl. "Err. I guess I'm a little hungry, though." Mia laughed. "It's no wonder. Here, let me feel your head." She put the palm of her hand on Syaoran's forehead. "Hmm. no more fever. You'll recover just fine. But first, let's make you some food!" Tomoyo grabbed a measuring tape from her back pocket and measured his waist. "You must've lost at least 10 pounds. That's not healthy for someone your size to do so fast. We'll have to get you a lot to eat. Just lie down and relax. Don't do anything too strenuous." The boy lay back down. "Don't. don't worry about that. I'm losing energy, and fast. I. I can barely talk. I'm so tired."
Sakura turned her head from her seated position of picking up wood for a fire. "Syaoran? If you're like that, and I know how it feels, just stay calm. We'll fill you up in a minute. This is serious." ".Okay. I will."
A few minutes later, Mia cast a fire spell to light the campfire as Tomoyo began to boil water for her noodles. Kero flew back and forth with supplies to set up a camp for the night. "Hey, if I get camp finished, can I have some of that stuff you're cooking, too?" Tomoyo smiled. "Of course! There will be enough to go around." "Yay! Wahoo! I'll hurry then!" Sakura paid no attention to this. She had Syaoran's head in her lap. She just gently moved her fingers through his messy hair. She stared into his eyes. Even if his stomach was empty, to her, his eyes seemed full of life. Her cheeks reddened.
Within 15 more minutes, Tomoyo was pouring a spoonful of noodles into a bowl. She handed it to Sakura. "Syaoran, open wide. This will help you regain your strength." Sakura lifted Syaoran's head and gently helped him eat it, piece by piece.
Mia sighed. "It's really kind of touching. Sakura would do anything for him, yet she doesn't even know it. Am I right, Tomoyo? Umm. Tomoyo?"
The sounds of a recording camera came as Tomoyo's eyes sparkled from behind her camcorder. "My dear Sakura-chan, I must record your cuteness while feeding your beloved!" Mia fell to the ground upon seeing her.
Kero patted his stomach in relief upon finishing his noodles. "Ah, that was great. I'm ready for a nice nap." Mia yawned as she nodded it agreement. "I'm beat. Running all the way back to Syaoran's place tired me out. But first, Sakura, how is Syaoran doing?" Sakura shushed her. "Shh! Syaoran's asleep." Sure enough, the boy had his eyes shut and was breathing gently. He rolled over in his sleep, his hand still in Sakura's. "You go to bed. I'll take Syaoran to our tent. I know I promised to sleep with you in your tent, Tomoyo, but Syaoran needs someone to watch over him during the night. I'd never forgive myself if something happened and I weren't there." Tomoyo frowned. "Well, if it's for Li." She smiled, "then I understand." Sakura smiled as well. "Then I'll see you in the morning." Mia and Tomoyo whispered, "Alright. Goodnight, Sakura."
When everyone else was in his or her tent, Sakura noticed a Sakura tree nearby with lovely blossoms of pink. "Kawaii! They're so beautiful! I'll just take some for later." She picked a few off the branches. "Oh, right, Syaoran."
"O, card that Clow has made, I command you to lose your form and be born again under your new master, Sakura! MOVE! Put Syaoran in his tent!"
Syaoran was gently pushed into his tent. Once she had him in the tent, she gently placed him on the ground and rolled a sheet onto him to keep him warm. Instinctively, she bent down and kissed him on the forehead. Even in his sleep, Syaoran reddened and rolled over. A few seconds later, "HOE! What am I doing?" She quickly covered her mouth to make sure she didn't say anything to wake Syaoran. "It. It was nothing." she whispered as she pulled up the same sheet Syaoran was under over herself. Her eyelids were heavy and it was not long before she, too, was asleep.
The sound of conversation outside and the slightest beam of light peering through a small hole in the tent woke Sakura. As she stuck her head out through the hole in the tent, she saw Mia, Tomoyo, and Kero looking at something on a tree stump that had fallen due to lightning. As she got closer, she could tell it was a map. ".Okay, so, unless Japan had changed significantly in 1,000 years, which it hasn't, then this modern map should do just fine. From here, we-Oh, good morning, Sakura." Tomoyo turned towards Sakura, "Good morning, Sakura. Did you sleep well?" Sakura nodded. "Yes, thank you. What are you doing out here?" Kero put pins down on a few spots of the map and replied, "We're trying to find the best trail to take us to Hong Kong."
Sakura stood silent for a second before it hit her. "HOEEEEE?! We're going WHERE?!" Mia replied, "Shhh! Li is. Anyway, of course we're going to China. That's where all of his ancestors are, right?" Sakura asked, "Wait, if we're going to China, why didn't we just take a plane to China before we went back in time?" Tomoyo had the answer to that question. "Because, I'm afraid he wouldn't have survived the journey. In fact, he wouldn't be alive now if you hadn't saved him by taking us all back in time." A sweat drop rolled down Sakura's head. "Oh. I see. I'm sorry, I forgot that part." "It's okay, Sakura. Besides, this gives me ample time to start making you some of my very own Chinese outfits along the way!" Sakura fell off the stump she was sitting on and onto the ground.
Mia and Kero made the fire for cooking breakfast. Tomoyo prepared all the food. Sakura took a shower under the waterfall a mere 50 meters from camp.
Breakfast was ready and Sakura returned, clad in a matching tan pleated skirt and short sleeved vest, for she had never had the chance before to change out of her cheerleading outfit from the day before. Also, Sakura had never brought any of her clothes along, but of course Tomoyo always had an emergency supply of clothes and material for making them for just such a situation. At that time, Syaoran emerged from the tent. "Good morning, everyone." Sakura smiled. "You're awake! You look so much better!" Syaoran smiled. "Thanks to you, of course. I'm still a little hungry, though." Tomoyo smiled as she poured a bowl of food for Syaoran. "Well, you still look like you're wasting away. We'll fill you up soon enough. Then, we can all bathe in the river, get some dry clothes, pack up camp, and be on our way. Kero and Mia already decided the best route."
Syaoran quickly ate his breakfast while sitting on a stump. But halfway through it, he looked up and talked. "By the way, last night, I had the strangest dream. While I was asleep, I saw an angel lay me down and then she kissed me on the forehead. She had all of these Sakura blossoms around her. When I woke up, I had a Sakura blossom on my sleeping bag." Syaoran didn't notice Sakura's eyes shrinking or the sweat drop on her head. Mia pondered. "Li, could it be a premonition? Like maybe you'll meet an angel or something? What do you think, Sakura? You have these dreams, too." Sakura shook her head furiously and waved her arms. "It. It means nothing! Nothing at all! I'll bet that's what it is! Nothing! Err. you know, Syaoran, why don't you go take a bath? Here, let me show you where it is!" "Hey- wait a min-"
It was too late. Sakura was pushing the boy against his will towards the stream. A sweat drop rolled down each of the remaining group member's heads. "What was that all about?" Kero asked.
A half hour later, Syaoran was returning, dressed in a green short-sleeved shirt and brown jeans. He was still drying his hair with a towel. The girls and Kero were packing everything. They loaded up all of the supplies into their backpacks and carried them off. Mia was the lead, carrying a map and compass. "According to my directions, to reach our destination, we'll need 5 days of walking southwest from here. Then, well, I have a plan, and we'll discuss it when we arrive, alright?" They all agreed.
The next four days went on without much event. They had the bare minimum of supplies, but thanks to Tomoyo's clothes, Sakura's Create Card to make extra supplies, Mia's magic spells, and Syaoran's hunting, they had plentiful food and clothes. Also, Syaoran had seemingly returned to just about normal. He was still thin, but barely any thinner than he used to be.
However, on the fifth day.
Sakura sat up against a tree and took off her shoes so she could wiggle her toes. "Ahhh, that feels great. How long have we been walking, Mia?" "This is the 5th day. If my calculations are correct, we will only have one more. huh?" Mia spread away some of the vines and leaves in the way of the path. "Wait, we're here! This village is right where I thought it would be!" Sakura put her shoes back on. "Really? Let me see!" She rushed over to where everyone else stood.
There was a small village with houses of stone. Smoke rose from a few holes on the roofs. Mia looked at the waterfront and spotted a small pier. "Aha! That's where we're going! Follow me."
The entire group walked silently through the village as not to attract any attention. When the reached the water, Li asked, "What are we doing here?" Mia hopped onto the docks. "Look!" She pointed to a sturdy-looking boat. "That's how we're getting to China." "WHAT?" Sakura screamed. "We can't steal a boat! That's wrong!" Mia smiled. "Don't think of it as stealing, just 'borrowing with no intention of returning.'" Sakura shook her head. "No! There has to be a way. Why don't I use the Fly Card and Kero can transform and we can both carry everyone over this lake?" Mia blinked and stared vacantly at her. "Umm. lake? Sakura, you don't seem to understand. This isn't a lake. This is an ocean. First of all, there's no way you and Kero could hold the three of us and all of our luggage." Kero added, "My back hurts just thinking about it." "Anyway, the second thing is that it's too great a distance. It would take two days and a half to fly across. China is still a long way away. Do you think you could fly that long and not fall asleep?" Sakura had no reply. "Exactly. We need this boat."
"HEY! YOU! STOP!"'
Suddenly, the group found themselves surrounded by native villagers. "Who are you, and what are you doing with the boat of the Great Goddess?" Kero hid in Tomoyo's hair. "Great Goddess?" Sakura asked. "Yes," the apparent leader of the village people stated. "It is said that one day, a Great Goddess that watches over our village would come for a boat. The Great Goddess would be in the body of a small girl, followed by her escorts. That night, there would be a great storm and the Goddess would then call the storm away. Then we are to give the boat to her so she can cross the waters back to watch over us again. It's a blessing to our lands if we fulfill this." Tomoyo smiled. "Do not worry, for we weren't going to take your boat. You see." she pointed to Sakura, "here is your Goddess!"
"HOEEEEEEEEE! TOMOYO!" Everyone fell to the ground.
"That's right, the young girl you see before you has come for this boat to cross the waters and bring a blessing to you all! Look at her! She's so cute, charming, and wonderful, just like any Great Goddess!" The leader thought hard for a minute. "Well, that does make sense. We shall wait until tonight. If there is no storm, or you are unable to call the storm off, we shall have to execute you for lying and fraud. Now, guards, you may take our guests to their rooms. Let none of them come out until there is a storm."
A minute later, they sat inside the largest of the village houses. There was not much to the house. Besides three beds, which meant Sakura and Tomoyo had to share one (To make up for Sakura staying with Syaoran as Sakura felt guilty), there was not anything else. As soon as Mia sat on her bed, she asked, "Tomoyo, what were you thinking? Now we're all going to be executed in the morning for heresy!" Tomoyo giggled. "Oh, no we're not. There's going to be a storm tonight, and Sakura is going to clear it up!" "Hoe?" Tomoyo walked over to Sakura and whispered in her ear. "Do you like the plan?" Sakura nodded. "Great! Then let me go get your outfit! You'll need it if you want to be a Goddess!" Her eyes sparkled. "Just think, for once, Sakura will be a real Goddess." Sweat drops rolled down everyone else's heads.
"It's 7:46 p.m." Syaoran read his digital watch. "Okay, Sakura, you've got the outfit, you have your staff, and it's nightfall. Let's go to phase one." Sakura nodded.
"O, card that Clow has made, I command you to lose your form and be born again under your new master, Sakura! STORM! Create a raging storm over this village!"
The rumble of thunder was heard overhead. It continued to get louder and louder until it was deafening. Rain poured down onto the roof until it was almost as loud as the thunder. Great flashes of lightning lit up the entire room for brief instances.
A guard ran into the room. "A storm! Does that. could you. err. Right this way, my Lady, please, show us your powers."
Sakura stepped out into the storm. Bright flashes of lightning revealed the outfit Tomoyo had given her. It was a white ball gown with two large, clear wings on the back. She had a small tiara made of Sakura blossoms she had picked earlier. "The image of a Goddess for one who will play a Goddess." That was Tomoyo's design idea, but everyone else wondered more of where she got the material.
As Sakura walked to the waterfront, the other villagers gather around the temporary hut of Syaoran, Tomoyo, Mia, and Kero.
When Sakura reached the waterfront, she was too far in the distance and it was far too dark for anyone to see what she was doing. But with every flash of lightning, they saw her lift her Staff into the air. Suddenly, the thunder and lightning ceased. Then the rain slowly stopped. Within a matter of seconds, the clouds disappeared as well. A rainbow stretched across the sky. Rainwater dripped off the leaves of trees. The grass gleamed in the protruding sunlight. A heavy mist hung in the air alongside a gentle breeze.
There was total silence. The villagers stood in awe. She had done it. Suddenly the village erupted in cheer. "She is truly our Goddess!" "She has done it!" "Blessings are upon our village!" "A feast! We need a feast, for it is a great day for us all!" They entire village, around 100 or so people, hoisted Sakura onto their shoulders.
"Wait, the God! Where is the Goddess without her God?" "He's right!" "Wait, isn't that him?" "Yes! Who else could it be?" The villagers pointed to Syaoran before hoisting him up as well. Tomoyo and Mia followed close behind.
They were all taken to a meeting hall where, apparently, many villagers were quickly preparing a variety of foods. Before they could all even figure out what was going on, all the food they could eat was placed before them. Sakura happily dug in, though. "Yum! This is delicious. Of all of these adventures we've had, this has to be one of my favorite parts!"
Syaoran sat puzzled. He still didn't know what was going on. "Ex-excuse me. What exactly is going on?" A villager stared back and bowed. "F-forgive us, O Great God and Goddess. We didn't fully explain. You have proven the legends to be true. And, it is also said that traveling with the Goddess would be her God husband." Sakura and Syaoran's faces turned bright red. "Err. husband and wife?" They both stared at each other and their eyes shrunk. "Uh. umm. of course!" Syaoran embarrassingly wrapped his arm around Sakura. "I. err. could never forget my dear. w-w-wife!" Sakura tried to do the same. "Well, of course I go everywhere with my husband! We're never apart!"
For the entire meal, their faces were red just from the thought of it. Once they finished they set out. The villagers walked them to the docks, where they loaded up the group's luggage. The village leader bowed to them. "Thank you, for blessing our village, O Great Goddess. We hope to see you again." Sakura and the rest bowed too. "We shall be sure to. ummm. watch over your village for eternity."
Tomoyo leapt from the boat and whispered to the village leader. He nodded and Tomoyo got back in. "What was that all about?" Mia asked. Tomoyo giggled. "You'll see one day."
Mia pushed the boat off the dock and it floated away from dock until they were out of sight from the land. Mia placed a foot on the head of the boat. "Alright, we have supplies, our weapons, and our luggage. Now, TO CHINA!"
Life is but a dream.