Gomen nasai! I got this chapter out SO late, but it took a lot of thinking
and planning. Please, forgive me.
Chapter 20- Aerin
(Note: means translated from Chinese)
(Author's note: Before I begin, I'd like to dedicate this chapter to my editor and one of my best friends of all time, Aerin, who has been a true inspiration and help throughout this story! ::hugs her:: Arigotou gozaimasu! It wouldn't be possible without you!)
"HOOOOOOOOEEEEEEEE," Sakura exclaimed! "Your mother's fan? The one she used to cast spells when we went to Hong Kong before? It's stolen?" Syaoran nodded, but he didn't let anyone see his eyes. He just stared at the ground; his fists clenched. "Dammit! Dammit all!" He got down on his knees. "That isn't just some ordinary fan. It's as important in using magic to whoever it currently belongs to as your staff is to you, Sakura." Sakura looked at her Clow Staff, which she was still holding and had never bothered to put away after they had crashed onto the beach.
"But. I can't do anything without my staff, really." "Exactly my point. What's worse, as they said, the wedding cannot take place if there is no fan. And Koji said he was going to go after the bride and groom in a threatening note. If there is no wedding or if the bride and groom are murdered, not only will I never exist, but neither will the rest of my family!"
Sakura scratched her head. "Umm. why do you need this fan to hold a wedding?" "Because. because it's tradition. In our family, we never abandon tradition of any kind. The fan was a centerpiece in the very first Li Clan marriage, and it has been in every single one ever since." Sakura sighed. "I'm not sure I completely understand. but I'll help you find it!" "Me, too!" Tomoyo and Mia chimed in together. "Even I'll lend a hand. After all, this is a part of Clow Reed's family." Kero added. The young Li looked up and smiled slightly. ".Thank you." Sakura smiled back. "Don't thank us. After all, you've saved my life TWICE already. Actually, three times, considering I *WAS DEAD* already and you still managed to save my life. That doesn't include the times during our first adventure. The times you saved me from Sadin's minions. It's the least I can do."
Syaoran blushed upon hearing Sakura's generous words. "That's really kind of you. I. err. I'll see if I can get you all some separate rooms." Sakura shook her head. "No, I wouldn't want to be a burden. We'll share a room."
Syaoran's face reddened. "Share.?" Thoughts of just the two of them having a room to themselves filled his head. "Yep! We'll share a room. Just you. Myself." Syaoran became pure crimson. ".Tomoyo, Mia, and Kero." Syaoran fell backwards and his face slowly returned to its normal hue. "Err. oh, that's what you meant."
Sakura may have been oblivious to what Syaoran meant, but Tomoyo wasn't. She could see exactly what he had been hinting at. She giggled quietly to herself. "Time to get them together to see something kawaii!" "Hoe!" Sakura exclaimed, turning towards Tomoyo. "Did you say something?" Tomoyo shook her head. "No, I was just thinking. Sakura, you don't want to be a bother and you want us to share a room. Syaoran, you want us to be comfortable in separate rooms. So, let's compromise. Mia, Kero, and I will share one room, and you two will share another room, okay?" Sakura nodded. "That sounds great! But. I would have figured you would want to be in my room." Syaoran just stood a meter or so back and turned red once more. "I would like to stay with you," Tomoyo explained, "but, you see, I have a very special surprise in store for you both, and I don't want to ruin it!"
Syaoran finally built up enough courage to say something. "You know, maybe we should go inside before we decide on all of this." Sakura laughed. "I guess you're right. I also suppose I should put my staff away before someone sees it and realizes my power." Syaoran shook his head. "Don't bother." "Why not?" "Well, you see, my family is filled with magic in every generation. You saw it yourself with my mother. All of my family is like that. My ancestors will be able to sense you have the powers whether or not you hide it."
A door to the house was flung open. "Are you all coming in, or is something wrong?" One of the guards called out to them. Syaoran replied, "We're coming, we were just. making sure we had all of our equipment from before!" The boy pushed the gate open. "Well, let's go. If you need me to translate anything for anyone, just ask."
The front door was quite far from the gate. Along the way, they passed a great number of statues and fountains. Sakura blossoms floated down from giant cherry trees in the gentle breeze. They spiraled around the bright sun over the lush green hills. Over in one corner of the house was a small temple where the clan met to worship their ancestors. It was just a small red building with a black spiraling rooftop. The front door was a huge one, at least 3 meters tall and covered in all kinds of decorations. Sakura reached for the door, but it opened before she could even touch it. "Ah, I was informed of your arrival. And I take it, you are the young Li the guards have found." She bowed to Syaoran. "It's always an honor to serve a Li, even one I do not know personally. Please, follow me." It was a young chambermaid, probably no older than any of them. She had long black hair to her back and deep green eyes.
Sakura stared around the main hall as the girl led them to wherever it was they were being led to. Swords, paintings, antiques; all hung from the walls. The house was like a maze to them, even Syaoran. They had no idea where they were going. Eventually, after minutes of walking, they reached a small door at the end of a large hall. The chambermaid knocked and slowly opened the door. "Excuse me, Aer-ling-sama? They're here. Would you like me to bring them in? I see. Just call if you need any assistance, and I shall come at once." She turned towards the group of heroes. "Welcome to the Mistress' rooms. Come on in."
As the door opened, they gazed inside in awe. "It's beautiful!" Mia exclaimed. Inside was a crimson canopy bed, exquisite Chinese pottery, fine calligraphy, and more. It was all there. At the other end of the room was a glass doorway onto a balcony. When the group stepped into the room, the door shut and the chambermaid left.
"Come out here, onto the balcony," a voice cried out in Japanese. They slowly walked across the room and opened the glass doors. There was a breathtaking view of the ocean from there, as the waves crashed onto the shore in the distance and the sun glared off the water.
"Hello," the voice came again. They all looked to their left, and at a small table with a tea kettle on it was a beautiful woman clad in Chinese formal wear. She had deep, green eyes, with long brown, almost dirty- blonde, hair to her waist. Overall, she had a quaint look to her. Very innocent, like the face of a child. She wore a red sleeveless dress with a symmetrical rose-pattern going up the middle of the dress and spreading to the rest of the dress. Long slits went from her delicate feet up each leg to her hip. The girl stood up and introduced herself.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Li Aer-ling. But I never liked that name, really. You may call me simply Aerin." Sakura stepped forward and bowed. "It's an honor to make your acquaintance. We are-" "Don't worry, there's no need to introduce yourselves. I know all about you. You are Sakura Kinomoto, and you currently hold the Clow Cards, am I right?" Everyone's jaws dropped. Sakura could only stutter. "H-h-how d-did you kn- know that?" Aerin smiled mysteriously. "Moving on, you are Tomoyo Daidouji, a great friend to Sakura, and you are Mia Stryfe, an aide and trusted friend as of recently. Last, but not least, Li Xiao Lan, or better known as Syaoran or Shaoran to your friends. You, too, are gifted with special powers." No one knew what to say. "Oh, I almost forgot." She quickly reached into Tomoyo's bag and pulled out a rather shocked Kero-chan. "You, if I'm not mistaken, are Keroberos, the guardian of the Clow Book." Kero growled. "How did you know? But no matter how you know, put me down!" Aerin put the tiny beast down next to a platter of sweets on the table. "Help yourselves to these sweets I made."
A minute later, everyone sat down around the table and gazed at the ocean view. It was quite splendid. "Allow me to explain. You see, everyone in the Li clan has special magical powers. Xiao Lan here, is an example," she said as she pointed to Syaoran. "I, however, was born with powerful psychic abilities. I can sense things shortly before they happen and I can tell you anything about anyone, even before I meet them. But only if they are very powerful, very close to me, and not trying to stop me. However, one thing I never predicted was that I would fall so deeply in love so suddenly. I met the most wonderful man." Aerin's cheeks reddened. "He's sweet, kind, generous, sensitive, handsome. Sometimes, it almost makes me wonder why he ever proposed to ME." Sakura put her teacup down. "Don't say that! You look beautiful!" Tomoyo smiled. "And I can tell you're a very intelligent girl, just by the way you speak." Kero shoved a giant cookie into his mouth and swallowed. "And you're a great cook, too!"
A tear rolled down Aerin's cheek. "Thank you. that means a lot. OH! I'm so sorry! I forgot to tell you why you're here. Ummm. I shouldn't say that. You already know why you're here. Koji. I know you've been chasing him. I know of it all. However, I feel that there's nothing you can do now." Mia put her teacup down. "That's not true. We've beaten him before, and we'll beat him again." Aerin shook her head. "No. It's. too late. Koji has stolen the Li clan's most priceless heirloom, the fan made by our ancestors. Without it, I shall never marry my sweet love. I fear it may already have been destroyed. I've learned of true love at 17, and I've lost it already. If that is the case, I. I shall never marry. All because of that Koji! My sweet Takumi. I. I." Aerin could take it no longer and burst into tears.
Sakura stood up and could feel anger in her very blood. "Aerin, don't you worry. We'll catch Koji and make him pay for what he has done! And if possible, we'll save that fan! Koji has gone too far, this time!" Kero nodded. "He's really starting to get on my nerves, too!" Tomoyo looked toward Sakura and smiled. "Wherever Sakura goes, I follow." "Me, too." Mia added. Syaoran frowned. "I'm not going to let some evil demon destroy my family." Aerin wiped a tear from her eye. "Thank you. I have to admit; even I didn't see so much bravery inside your hearts. But. my mind. I. I just haven't been able to think, lately. I think. Koji. he has something with him. It's messing with my powers. I can barely think. Reading minds of people nearby is easy, but. Koji has made doing more than that impossible. Granted, my powers aren't even that great. I can't see too far into the future. I could only know so much about all of you since you were in the room with me. But don't worry about that. Come, let's all go inside and I'll have my chambermaid show you to your two rooms."
On the rooftop just over their heads, just after the group went inside.
"Heh. It works. Those damn fools will never see me coming." Koji held out a glowing black stone. "A Stone of Stealth. With these stones, they can't detect me at all. That Aeris-Lang or whatever her name is couldn't detect me now if I were a meter behind her as long as I have this stone with me at all times! And with that giant stone just like this on the very roof of the mansion, their powers are so limited that none of them could sense the world's largest ball of magic energy if it were in their face! Now, I can pick them off, one by one." He fanned himself off with the prized heirloom. "Maybe I'll relax for a while though; this fan has potential." He gave an evil cackle leaping down, over the patio, and disappearing before he could land in the sea.
Sakura fell backwards onto her bed and stretched. "Ah, this feels so wonderful. Nice and soft. It beats trying to sleep on a hard wooden boat for 18 hours." Aerin smiled. "I'm glad you like it." Sakura laughed. "I am, too, because I may have to be here for a while. This place is a maze! I'd probably never find my way out!" Their gracious host chuckled. "It's quite simple, really. You'll get a feel for the design in no time. Walk around, and if you get lost, just ask a servant to take you to the north end. My room is the next-door down on the right and your friends are to the left. You can stop by anytime you need." Syaoran sat down in a plush chair. It was too soft and he fell a little too far into the chair. "Ummm. Well, where is the rest of your family? And your fiancé?" Tomoyo and Mia and Kero walked into the room. "Hello! Did we miss anything?" Kero asked. Sakura shook her head. "Sit down. She was about to tell use what happened."
Aerin sat down at a desk. "Takumi." He face reddened. "My fiancé. He isn't here. He's back at his home in the city. The whole family has been uptight ever since the threatening note arrived. And when the fan was stolen. Actually, it was stolen a while ago. It was just. such a shock to some of the elders that they tried to keep the fact that it was gone hidden until a servant found it was gone today. But Takumi knew right away. He wasn't so easily fooled. He vowed to catch the thief and bring him to justice, but the elders knew it was too dangerous, and with our wedding so close. The elders couldn't risk him being injured. So, they sent him back to his house in the village. They figured Koji would look for him here, first."
Syaoran asked, "But if he'd look for you two here, first, why are you still here?" "I was getting to that. Anyway, I'm still here because the house is completely sealed off by guards. You met some of them." A sweat drop rolled down Sakura's head. "I still have an arrowhead in my backpack to prove that." Aerin laughed, trying to cover her embarrassment. "Umm. yes, the guards did get a bit carried away. But it's all right. The thing is, though, until Takumi and I are married, he's not allowed to live here. So, they sent some of the best of our guards to his house to guard him. However, the guards are cocky, and they drink everyday. They drag him down to this little bar in the city. It's for guys only. So, I can't visit him there. I think he'll be fine, though. The rest of my family is scattered about the house, trying to concentrate on finding Koji. But like my powers, theirs are failing." Syaoran nodded. "So, that's how it is."
CRASH! A noise came from Aerin's room. Everyone rushed back to her room.
A rock had crashed through the window and lay on the bed. Syaoran quickly picked it up and noticed that a note was attached. He unfolded it and read it aloud. "'Dear you pathetic meddlers, I shall make my strike TONIGHT. But with my new plan, I'm invincible. I write this as a warning. Leave now, or face certain death. I won't say when or where I'll strike, but I will. You may be sure I will. Leave now. -Koji.'"
Mia snarled. "The dirty bastard! This is going to be extremely hard for us. Koji never said WHO he would go after." Aerin began to tremble. "I. I'm. I'm scared!" She bent down and started to shake. Sakura turned to her and declared boldly, "Don't worry, nothing will happen to you, because we'll ALL be here." Aerin smiled faintly. "Thank you. but. really, I'm not worth the trouble. After all, I don't even have my powers. I couldn't even see that rock coming." Tomoyo put her hands on Aerin's chin to look her straight in the eyes. "Aer-ling, please, don't be like that. You're definitely worth a lot. To tell you the truth." Tomoyo whispered quietly to Aerin. But she stopped to point at Sakura and Syaoran. Aerin sniffled. "You. mean it? That's really true? I mean, I knew that, it was obvious, but." Tomoyo interrupted. "It's true. Just have more faith in yourself!" Aerin gave off a heartwarming smile. "Alright, I will!"
Mia whispered to Tomoyo, "What did you tell her?" The sly girl replied, "I just told her that it's her family that made half of such a cute couple over there!" Mia giggled, too. "You may be sweet and innocent, Tomoyo, but you can certainly be crafty!"
"Wait!" Aerin suddenly spoke up. "Umm. I don't think you can all be with me all the time. You see. Tonight is a special night in the Li clan. It's a special evening where all the women of the clan join together to talk and feast. I can't stay here or my mother and father will be ashamed that I disobeyed tradition. But if I tell them why I can't, it will start a giant panic! And if I just go, Koji might hurt someone there as well as me!" Everyone thought deeply. "Well. We need to let you go, and be here at the same time." Syaoran said. "But we'll also need someone to guard Takumi." Tomoyo snapped her fingers and laughed. "I know what we'll do!" She hurried out of the room and came back carrying a bag. "I made sure I always had these with us, just in case!" She opened the bag and revealed all the potions Syaoran had received as gifts from the potion dealer a while back.
Syaoran's eyes widened and he said, "I don't like where this looks like it is heading." Tomoyo grabbed a potion. "Ah, here it is. First, we'll need a spare set of your clothes, Aerin. then, we have Syaoran drink this, and become a girl your age again! We dress him up like you and keep him here! Koji will never see the difference until it's too late!"
Tomoyo turned to Syaoran, who had a death glare fixated on her. "Daidouji, if you think for one second that I will EVER become a girl again for ANY reason." A giant sweat drop rolled down Tomoyo's head and her pupils shrunk. "Err. I just meant that when you were a girl, you played the role so well, and we still need Sakura to use the Cards, so." Kero jumped in. "No, wait, that's a really great idea!" This didn't make the young Li happy either. "What are you saying?" Kero-chan shook his head. "No, that's not what I mean. After all, if you changed, who would guard Takumi? Listen, here's what we CAN do: Sakura, YOU drink that potion instead. Think about it, you and Aerin look a lot alike. With a few adjustments and Tomoyo's help, of course, you could look just like Aerin!" Mia pondered aloud. "Now that you mention it, they do look a little similar. I think that could work!"
Kero boasted, "Well, it IS part of my plan. Of course it will work. Then, when Sakura is dressed like a Li, she can stay here with all of us while Aerin goes down to the feast, or festival or whatever you may want to call it." Aerin smiled. "That's a wonderful idea! Except. I see a few problems. First of all, who will be watching my fiancé? His life means so much to me. Also, no men will be allowed in the building, so, Xiao Lan will. umm. hey, where is he, anyway?"
Everyone looked around, but the youngest Li was nowhere to be seen. "Where is the gaki?" Kero asked. "I don't see him anywhere, or the potion bag." Sakura said.
The door to the room opened and a tall, dark figure entered. Everyone gasped. "Koji?!" However, Aerin's eyes lit up. "T-Takumi?!" She leapt into the air and wrapped her arms around the tall man. Kero lit a small candle by the door to shine some light on the couple. "Ok, Takumi, I missed you. so. YAAAAAAAH! YOU'RE NOT TAKUMI!" The bride-to-be jumped back from the arms of the stranger, whose face was a dark crimson. "Sakura, is. that Koji I just hugged?!" Sakura laughed. "No, that's Syaoran!" "Xiao Lan? Is that you?"
Syaoran stepped forward. Again, he was in the body of a 17-year-old. "Yes, it's me. I could see where the conversation was headed. And the best idea would be for me to guard Takumi at the bar or at his house."
Aerin stood up. "Wait a second." She ran her fingers through his hair. Syaoran turned red, just like before. "What are you doing?" The teenager asked. "You look so much like my fiancé! If I couldn't read minds at least, right about now, I would have sworn you were him. And that means. Wait, I have an idea! YOU can trade places with Takumi and guard him that way! Here, Just give this to him." Aerin wrote down something on a letter and handed it to him. "He'll believe you once he reads that." Mia laughed. "Brilliant! Koji will never see the difference!"
By this point, Sakura had disappeared, too. "Hey, now where did that girl go?" Mia asked. Sure enough, the door opened again, and a thin and shapely figure walked in. "Well, how do I look?" Sakura asked in a somewhat deeper voice. Syaoran could only stare in awe. Tomoyo grabbed her camcorder as her eyes and the air around her became filled with twinkling stars. "Oh, my goodness, Sakura-chan, you're are so beautiful! From a graceful magical girl one moment to a sophisticated young woman the next!"
Sakura blushed. "Umm. thank you, Tomoyo." She got a glance at Syaoran, and could only stare. He was still so handsome. "Err. ummm. You look. great, Syaoran." "I. umm.. thank you. I. guess. you. look great. as well." They both blushed.
Tomoyo screamed. "Wait! One thing! I hate to interrupt this kawaii moment, but who is going to play you, Sakura? Koji will surely be suspicious if you're not around at all!" Aerin smiled. "Well, I know what would make you happy, Tomoyo. Why don't YOU dress up like Sakura to fool Koji?" Tomoyo's eyes sparkled. "Really? Will that work? ALRIGHT! Then there's no time to waste! I'll need all the clothes you can find! I'll need you two to get undressed and get ready to try on everything as fast as you can! It's time to make sure we not only trick Koji, but that we're going to do it looking great!"
To be continued.
Chapter 20- Aerin
(Note: means translated from Chinese)
(Author's note: Before I begin, I'd like to dedicate this chapter to my editor and one of my best friends of all time, Aerin, who has been a true inspiration and help throughout this story! ::hugs her:: Arigotou gozaimasu! It wouldn't be possible without you!)
"HOOOOOOOOEEEEEEEE," Sakura exclaimed! "Your mother's fan? The one she used to cast spells when we went to Hong Kong before? It's stolen?" Syaoran nodded, but he didn't let anyone see his eyes. He just stared at the ground; his fists clenched. "Dammit! Dammit all!" He got down on his knees. "That isn't just some ordinary fan. It's as important in using magic to whoever it currently belongs to as your staff is to you, Sakura." Sakura looked at her Clow Staff, which she was still holding and had never bothered to put away after they had crashed onto the beach.
"But. I can't do anything without my staff, really." "Exactly my point. What's worse, as they said, the wedding cannot take place if there is no fan. And Koji said he was going to go after the bride and groom in a threatening note. If there is no wedding or if the bride and groom are murdered, not only will I never exist, but neither will the rest of my family!"
Sakura scratched her head. "Umm. why do you need this fan to hold a wedding?" "Because. because it's tradition. In our family, we never abandon tradition of any kind. The fan was a centerpiece in the very first Li Clan marriage, and it has been in every single one ever since." Sakura sighed. "I'm not sure I completely understand. but I'll help you find it!" "Me, too!" Tomoyo and Mia chimed in together. "Even I'll lend a hand. After all, this is a part of Clow Reed's family." Kero added. The young Li looked up and smiled slightly. ".Thank you." Sakura smiled back. "Don't thank us. After all, you've saved my life TWICE already. Actually, three times, considering I *WAS DEAD* already and you still managed to save my life. That doesn't include the times during our first adventure. The times you saved me from Sadin's minions. It's the least I can do."
Syaoran blushed upon hearing Sakura's generous words. "That's really kind of you. I. err. I'll see if I can get you all some separate rooms." Sakura shook her head. "No, I wouldn't want to be a burden. We'll share a room."
Syaoran's face reddened. "Share.?" Thoughts of just the two of them having a room to themselves filled his head. "Yep! We'll share a room. Just you. Myself." Syaoran became pure crimson. ".Tomoyo, Mia, and Kero." Syaoran fell backwards and his face slowly returned to its normal hue. "Err. oh, that's what you meant."
Sakura may have been oblivious to what Syaoran meant, but Tomoyo wasn't. She could see exactly what he had been hinting at. She giggled quietly to herself. "Time to get them together to see something kawaii!" "Hoe!" Sakura exclaimed, turning towards Tomoyo. "Did you say something?" Tomoyo shook her head. "No, I was just thinking. Sakura, you don't want to be a bother and you want us to share a room. Syaoran, you want us to be comfortable in separate rooms. So, let's compromise. Mia, Kero, and I will share one room, and you two will share another room, okay?" Sakura nodded. "That sounds great! But. I would have figured you would want to be in my room." Syaoran just stood a meter or so back and turned red once more. "I would like to stay with you," Tomoyo explained, "but, you see, I have a very special surprise in store for you both, and I don't want to ruin it!"
Syaoran finally built up enough courage to say something. "You know, maybe we should go inside before we decide on all of this." Sakura laughed. "I guess you're right. I also suppose I should put my staff away before someone sees it and realizes my power." Syaoran shook his head. "Don't bother." "Why not?" "Well, you see, my family is filled with magic in every generation. You saw it yourself with my mother. All of my family is like that. My ancestors will be able to sense you have the powers whether or not you hide it."
A door to the house was flung open. "Are you all coming in, or is something wrong?" One of the guards called out to them. Syaoran replied, "We're coming, we were just. making sure we had all of our equipment from before!" The boy pushed the gate open. "Well, let's go. If you need me to translate anything for anyone, just ask."
The front door was quite far from the gate. Along the way, they passed a great number of statues and fountains. Sakura blossoms floated down from giant cherry trees in the gentle breeze. They spiraled around the bright sun over the lush green hills. Over in one corner of the house was a small temple where the clan met to worship their ancestors. It was just a small red building with a black spiraling rooftop. The front door was a huge one, at least 3 meters tall and covered in all kinds of decorations. Sakura reached for the door, but it opened before she could even touch it. "Ah, I was informed of your arrival. And I take it, you are the young Li the guards have found." She bowed to Syaoran. "It's always an honor to serve a Li, even one I do not know personally. Please, follow me." It was a young chambermaid, probably no older than any of them. She had long black hair to her back and deep green eyes.
Sakura stared around the main hall as the girl led them to wherever it was they were being led to. Swords, paintings, antiques; all hung from the walls. The house was like a maze to them, even Syaoran. They had no idea where they were going. Eventually, after minutes of walking, they reached a small door at the end of a large hall. The chambermaid knocked and slowly opened the door. "Excuse me, Aer-ling-sama? They're here. Would you like me to bring them in? I see. Just call if you need any assistance, and I shall come at once." She turned towards the group of heroes. "Welcome to the Mistress' rooms. Come on in."
As the door opened, they gazed inside in awe. "It's beautiful!" Mia exclaimed. Inside was a crimson canopy bed, exquisite Chinese pottery, fine calligraphy, and more. It was all there. At the other end of the room was a glass doorway onto a balcony. When the group stepped into the room, the door shut and the chambermaid left.
"Come out here, onto the balcony," a voice cried out in Japanese. They slowly walked across the room and opened the glass doors. There was a breathtaking view of the ocean from there, as the waves crashed onto the shore in the distance and the sun glared off the water.
"Hello," the voice came again. They all looked to their left, and at a small table with a tea kettle on it was a beautiful woman clad in Chinese formal wear. She had deep, green eyes, with long brown, almost dirty- blonde, hair to her waist. Overall, she had a quaint look to her. Very innocent, like the face of a child. She wore a red sleeveless dress with a symmetrical rose-pattern going up the middle of the dress and spreading to the rest of the dress. Long slits went from her delicate feet up each leg to her hip. The girl stood up and introduced herself.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Li Aer-ling. But I never liked that name, really. You may call me simply Aerin." Sakura stepped forward and bowed. "It's an honor to make your acquaintance. We are-" "Don't worry, there's no need to introduce yourselves. I know all about you. You are Sakura Kinomoto, and you currently hold the Clow Cards, am I right?" Everyone's jaws dropped. Sakura could only stutter. "H-h-how d-did you kn- know that?" Aerin smiled mysteriously. "Moving on, you are Tomoyo Daidouji, a great friend to Sakura, and you are Mia Stryfe, an aide and trusted friend as of recently. Last, but not least, Li Xiao Lan, or better known as Syaoran or Shaoran to your friends. You, too, are gifted with special powers." No one knew what to say. "Oh, I almost forgot." She quickly reached into Tomoyo's bag and pulled out a rather shocked Kero-chan. "You, if I'm not mistaken, are Keroberos, the guardian of the Clow Book." Kero growled. "How did you know? But no matter how you know, put me down!" Aerin put the tiny beast down next to a platter of sweets on the table. "Help yourselves to these sweets I made."
A minute later, everyone sat down around the table and gazed at the ocean view. It was quite splendid. "Allow me to explain. You see, everyone in the Li clan has special magical powers. Xiao Lan here, is an example," she said as she pointed to Syaoran. "I, however, was born with powerful psychic abilities. I can sense things shortly before they happen and I can tell you anything about anyone, even before I meet them. But only if they are very powerful, very close to me, and not trying to stop me. However, one thing I never predicted was that I would fall so deeply in love so suddenly. I met the most wonderful man." Aerin's cheeks reddened. "He's sweet, kind, generous, sensitive, handsome. Sometimes, it almost makes me wonder why he ever proposed to ME." Sakura put her teacup down. "Don't say that! You look beautiful!" Tomoyo smiled. "And I can tell you're a very intelligent girl, just by the way you speak." Kero shoved a giant cookie into his mouth and swallowed. "And you're a great cook, too!"
A tear rolled down Aerin's cheek. "Thank you. that means a lot. OH! I'm so sorry! I forgot to tell you why you're here. Ummm. I shouldn't say that. You already know why you're here. Koji. I know you've been chasing him. I know of it all. However, I feel that there's nothing you can do now." Mia put her teacup down. "That's not true. We've beaten him before, and we'll beat him again." Aerin shook her head. "No. It's. too late. Koji has stolen the Li clan's most priceless heirloom, the fan made by our ancestors. Without it, I shall never marry my sweet love. I fear it may already have been destroyed. I've learned of true love at 17, and I've lost it already. If that is the case, I. I shall never marry. All because of that Koji! My sweet Takumi. I. I." Aerin could take it no longer and burst into tears.
Sakura stood up and could feel anger in her very blood. "Aerin, don't you worry. We'll catch Koji and make him pay for what he has done! And if possible, we'll save that fan! Koji has gone too far, this time!" Kero nodded. "He's really starting to get on my nerves, too!" Tomoyo looked toward Sakura and smiled. "Wherever Sakura goes, I follow." "Me, too." Mia added. Syaoran frowned. "I'm not going to let some evil demon destroy my family." Aerin wiped a tear from her eye. "Thank you. I have to admit; even I didn't see so much bravery inside your hearts. But. my mind. I. I just haven't been able to think, lately. I think. Koji. he has something with him. It's messing with my powers. I can barely think. Reading minds of people nearby is easy, but. Koji has made doing more than that impossible. Granted, my powers aren't even that great. I can't see too far into the future. I could only know so much about all of you since you were in the room with me. But don't worry about that. Come, let's all go inside and I'll have my chambermaid show you to your two rooms."
On the rooftop just over their heads, just after the group went inside.
"Heh. It works. Those damn fools will never see me coming." Koji held out a glowing black stone. "A Stone of Stealth. With these stones, they can't detect me at all. That Aeris-Lang or whatever her name is couldn't detect me now if I were a meter behind her as long as I have this stone with me at all times! And with that giant stone just like this on the very roof of the mansion, their powers are so limited that none of them could sense the world's largest ball of magic energy if it were in their face! Now, I can pick them off, one by one." He fanned himself off with the prized heirloom. "Maybe I'll relax for a while though; this fan has potential." He gave an evil cackle leaping down, over the patio, and disappearing before he could land in the sea.
Sakura fell backwards onto her bed and stretched. "Ah, this feels so wonderful. Nice and soft. It beats trying to sleep on a hard wooden boat for 18 hours." Aerin smiled. "I'm glad you like it." Sakura laughed. "I am, too, because I may have to be here for a while. This place is a maze! I'd probably never find my way out!" Their gracious host chuckled. "It's quite simple, really. You'll get a feel for the design in no time. Walk around, and if you get lost, just ask a servant to take you to the north end. My room is the next-door down on the right and your friends are to the left. You can stop by anytime you need." Syaoran sat down in a plush chair. It was too soft and he fell a little too far into the chair. "Ummm. Well, where is the rest of your family? And your fiancé?" Tomoyo and Mia and Kero walked into the room. "Hello! Did we miss anything?" Kero asked. Sakura shook her head. "Sit down. She was about to tell use what happened."
Aerin sat down at a desk. "Takumi." He face reddened. "My fiancé. He isn't here. He's back at his home in the city. The whole family has been uptight ever since the threatening note arrived. And when the fan was stolen. Actually, it was stolen a while ago. It was just. such a shock to some of the elders that they tried to keep the fact that it was gone hidden until a servant found it was gone today. But Takumi knew right away. He wasn't so easily fooled. He vowed to catch the thief and bring him to justice, but the elders knew it was too dangerous, and with our wedding so close. The elders couldn't risk him being injured. So, they sent him back to his house in the village. They figured Koji would look for him here, first."
Syaoran asked, "But if he'd look for you two here, first, why are you still here?" "I was getting to that. Anyway, I'm still here because the house is completely sealed off by guards. You met some of them." A sweat drop rolled down Sakura's head. "I still have an arrowhead in my backpack to prove that." Aerin laughed, trying to cover her embarrassment. "Umm. yes, the guards did get a bit carried away. But it's all right. The thing is, though, until Takumi and I are married, he's not allowed to live here. So, they sent some of the best of our guards to his house to guard him. However, the guards are cocky, and they drink everyday. They drag him down to this little bar in the city. It's for guys only. So, I can't visit him there. I think he'll be fine, though. The rest of my family is scattered about the house, trying to concentrate on finding Koji. But like my powers, theirs are failing." Syaoran nodded. "So, that's how it is."
CRASH! A noise came from Aerin's room. Everyone rushed back to her room.
A rock had crashed through the window and lay on the bed. Syaoran quickly picked it up and noticed that a note was attached. He unfolded it and read it aloud. "'Dear you pathetic meddlers, I shall make my strike TONIGHT. But with my new plan, I'm invincible. I write this as a warning. Leave now, or face certain death. I won't say when or where I'll strike, but I will. You may be sure I will. Leave now. -Koji.'"
Mia snarled. "The dirty bastard! This is going to be extremely hard for us. Koji never said WHO he would go after." Aerin began to tremble. "I. I'm. I'm scared!" She bent down and started to shake. Sakura turned to her and declared boldly, "Don't worry, nothing will happen to you, because we'll ALL be here." Aerin smiled faintly. "Thank you. but. really, I'm not worth the trouble. After all, I don't even have my powers. I couldn't even see that rock coming." Tomoyo put her hands on Aerin's chin to look her straight in the eyes. "Aer-ling, please, don't be like that. You're definitely worth a lot. To tell you the truth." Tomoyo whispered quietly to Aerin. But she stopped to point at Sakura and Syaoran. Aerin sniffled. "You. mean it? That's really true? I mean, I knew that, it was obvious, but." Tomoyo interrupted. "It's true. Just have more faith in yourself!" Aerin gave off a heartwarming smile. "Alright, I will!"
Mia whispered to Tomoyo, "What did you tell her?" The sly girl replied, "I just told her that it's her family that made half of such a cute couple over there!" Mia giggled, too. "You may be sweet and innocent, Tomoyo, but you can certainly be crafty!"
"Wait!" Aerin suddenly spoke up. "Umm. I don't think you can all be with me all the time. You see. Tonight is a special night in the Li clan. It's a special evening where all the women of the clan join together to talk and feast. I can't stay here or my mother and father will be ashamed that I disobeyed tradition. But if I tell them why I can't, it will start a giant panic! And if I just go, Koji might hurt someone there as well as me!" Everyone thought deeply. "Well. We need to let you go, and be here at the same time." Syaoran said. "But we'll also need someone to guard Takumi." Tomoyo snapped her fingers and laughed. "I know what we'll do!" She hurried out of the room and came back carrying a bag. "I made sure I always had these with us, just in case!" She opened the bag and revealed all the potions Syaoran had received as gifts from the potion dealer a while back.
Syaoran's eyes widened and he said, "I don't like where this looks like it is heading." Tomoyo grabbed a potion. "Ah, here it is. First, we'll need a spare set of your clothes, Aerin. then, we have Syaoran drink this, and become a girl your age again! We dress him up like you and keep him here! Koji will never see the difference until it's too late!"
Tomoyo turned to Syaoran, who had a death glare fixated on her. "Daidouji, if you think for one second that I will EVER become a girl again for ANY reason." A giant sweat drop rolled down Tomoyo's head and her pupils shrunk. "Err. I just meant that when you were a girl, you played the role so well, and we still need Sakura to use the Cards, so." Kero jumped in. "No, wait, that's a really great idea!" This didn't make the young Li happy either. "What are you saying?" Kero-chan shook his head. "No, that's not what I mean. After all, if you changed, who would guard Takumi? Listen, here's what we CAN do: Sakura, YOU drink that potion instead. Think about it, you and Aerin look a lot alike. With a few adjustments and Tomoyo's help, of course, you could look just like Aerin!" Mia pondered aloud. "Now that you mention it, they do look a little similar. I think that could work!"
Kero boasted, "Well, it IS part of my plan. Of course it will work. Then, when Sakura is dressed like a Li, she can stay here with all of us while Aerin goes down to the feast, or festival or whatever you may want to call it." Aerin smiled. "That's a wonderful idea! Except. I see a few problems. First of all, who will be watching my fiancé? His life means so much to me. Also, no men will be allowed in the building, so, Xiao Lan will. umm. hey, where is he, anyway?"
Everyone looked around, but the youngest Li was nowhere to be seen. "Where is the gaki?" Kero asked. "I don't see him anywhere, or the potion bag." Sakura said.
The door to the room opened and a tall, dark figure entered. Everyone gasped. "Koji?!" However, Aerin's eyes lit up. "T-Takumi?!" She leapt into the air and wrapped her arms around the tall man. Kero lit a small candle by the door to shine some light on the couple. "Ok, Takumi, I missed you. so. YAAAAAAAH! YOU'RE NOT TAKUMI!" The bride-to-be jumped back from the arms of the stranger, whose face was a dark crimson. "Sakura, is. that Koji I just hugged?!" Sakura laughed. "No, that's Syaoran!" "Xiao Lan? Is that you?"
Syaoran stepped forward. Again, he was in the body of a 17-year-old. "Yes, it's me. I could see where the conversation was headed. And the best idea would be for me to guard Takumi at the bar or at his house."
Aerin stood up. "Wait a second." She ran her fingers through his hair. Syaoran turned red, just like before. "What are you doing?" The teenager asked. "You look so much like my fiancé! If I couldn't read minds at least, right about now, I would have sworn you were him. And that means. Wait, I have an idea! YOU can trade places with Takumi and guard him that way! Here, Just give this to him." Aerin wrote down something on a letter and handed it to him. "He'll believe you once he reads that." Mia laughed. "Brilliant! Koji will never see the difference!"
By this point, Sakura had disappeared, too. "Hey, now where did that girl go?" Mia asked. Sure enough, the door opened again, and a thin and shapely figure walked in. "Well, how do I look?" Sakura asked in a somewhat deeper voice. Syaoran could only stare in awe. Tomoyo grabbed her camcorder as her eyes and the air around her became filled with twinkling stars. "Oh, my goodness, Sakura-chan, you're are so beautiful! From a graceful magical girl one moment to a sophisticated young woman the next!"
Sakura blushed. "Umm. thank you, Tomoyo." She got a glance at Syaoran, and could only stare. He was still so handsome. "Err. ummm. You look. great, Syaoran." "I. umm.. thank you. I. guess. you. look great. as well." They both blushed.
Tomoyo screamed. "Wait! One thing! I hate to interrupt this kawaii moment, but who is going to play you, Sakura? Koji will surely be suspicious if you're not around at all!" Aerin smiled. "Well, I know what would make you happy, Tomoyo. Why don't YOU dress up like Sakura to fool Koji?" Tomoyo's eyes sparkled. "Really? Will that work? ALRIGHT! Then there's no time to waste! I'll need all the clothes you can find! I'll need you two to get undressed and get ready to try on everything as fast as you can! It's time to make sure we not only trick Koji, but that we're going to do it looking great!"
To be continued.