::A spotlight opens over my head:: Aheheheheh. Well, hello there. I see
you're back. I realize it has. been quite some time since I last updated,
huh? Errr. I can assure you, though, it was not intentional. With the end
of school, finals to study for, I had no time in June or July to do any actual writing. Then came the end of June and July. and. my faithful and wonderful editor had a bit of an accident. and, well, she was quite busy, let's just say. She's been extremely strong and kind, still, but has much work to be done, which leaves very little time for editing fan fictions. Instead of breathing down her already stressed out neck, making her read
more pages out of the million or three she has to, I'm updating now, unedited. There may be a few typos and plot holes, but I will fix them if
you point them out to me. I'm terribly, terribly sorry. Also with
vacations, school projects, insane brothers, therapy sessions, panic streaks, funerals, and, yes, even love, my life has been a bit hectic. I
PROMISE that the next chapter will be out SOON to make up for it. Also,
note, that I have started work on another fiction! If you're a fan of
Inuyasha, look for "Nekoyasha," which I will be uploading today.
Also, I had some errors in uploading this chapter, so sometimes, not all of
it would load. I apologize for any inconvenience.
::Camera zooms out, showing he is tied to his chair by the computer:: So,
uhhh, could someone untie me now? Please?
Chapter 30
Let Me Be with You
(Author's note: Yes, a reference to a certain other CLAMP title)
Ignoring her weariness, Sakura leapt from her seated position in Eriol's lap and tackled Syaoran to the ground with a hug.
"Oh, thank God. Syaoran, I was so scared. I was afraid I wouldn't get to see you again." Tears began to pour from her eyes faster than raindrops.
The boy's face turned bright red. "I. It's okay, Sakura. I'm fine. I'm g- glad to see you, too. I was scared, as well."
Sakura let go and stood up. Her face turned red as well. "Oops. I'm sorry.I got too emotional there. I was just so happy. I."
Syaoran chuckled. "It's okay. I was really surprised to find you hear. I thought I was lost forever." He stood up and brushed the dirt off his clothes. Sakura got the chance then, to see how he looked.
"Oh. S-Syaoran. I. errr. I see you grew, too." Sakura said, switching back and forth between staring at the ground beneath her and his deep, brown eyes in front of her.
Syaoran stood, tall, lean, and strong. After the effects of Koji's spell, he was at least eighteen, if not nineteen, years of age. His hair was no longer or shorter than usual, but it was even messier than normal (if such a thing was possible). He was wearing only a white robe, common in earlier ages of Japan, and a pair of sandals.
"You.. Ummm. look great. uh. yeah.." Sakura said, he voice diminishing with each utterance.
Syaoran rubbed the back of his head and stared at the ground, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Well, uh, I find that hard to believe. I've mostly been running around outside this whole time. This robe I even had to borrow from the school's costume rack. But you.. You look really." He stared down at her, as she was about a quarter to an eighth to a quarter of a meter shorter than he was. But whether she was a little shorter, or 2 meters taller, Syaoran still saw the same emerald eyes. "You look. mature, too."
The lens of a video camera poked out of the bushes and two pairs of eyes gazed around it.
"This is pathetic." Meiling said. "Daidouji, we both know they care for each other, and they've even seen each other like this before, but they STILL get butterflies in their stomachs every time they even LOOK at each other."
Tomoyo sighed and shook her head. "I agree. Sakura's carefree attitude and her sensitivity in matters of the heart are some of her cutest and most wonderful qualities. but they do make helping her get into a true relationship rather difficult."
"And that's why I'm going to help, as well."
"AIEEE!" Both girls gave a quiet shriek as Eriol came up from behind them.
"Shhh!" Eriol said, grabbing and dragging them both out of view. I'm here to help!"
Meiling held a hand over her heart and breathed calmly. "Don't DO that! Now. WHAT are you trying to say?" She turned her head quickly, before Eriol could answer, and saw Sakura and Syaoran, still stuttering to find the words they want to say.
"I'm telling you, I'm going to help you to get Sakura-chan and Syaoran-kun together," Eriol stated clearly.
Meiling eyed him suspiciously. "What's the catch? It's rather unlike YOU to be offering so much help at something like this."
Eriol smiled. "Well, normally, you're right. I wouldn't meddle in such minor affairs. but."
"But.?" Meiling urged him on.
"But I've done some research.. And if we're going to beat Koji, we need all the power we need. And I've always seen Sakura and Syaoran fighting their hardest when the other is involved and in danger."
Tomoyo focused her camera on Sakura with one hand, but turned and said, "So, you think if we can get them together forever, we'll stand more of a chance in case of an emergency."
Eriol nodded. "Exactly. So, what do you say, may I help? I've already sent Yue over to help protect Mia, so he won't be in the way, and now Sakura will also need someone like me to guard her, anyway."
Meiling and Tomoyo looked at each other, nodded, then looked back at Eriol. "Eriol-kun," Tomoyo began, "we'd be honored to have you help us." Eriol and Tomoyo shook hands, both giving off a plotting, sneaky smile. "After all, sometimes even true love needs a little push to get started." At this, Meiling began to laugh.
A moment later, the three of them emerged from the bush and watched Sakura and Syaoran closely.
"Err, so tell me, Syaoran. What.. Ummm. How exactly did you get here? I mean, what did you do AFTER you got sent here."
Meiling sighed. "This is going nowhere. what should we do first?"
"Uhhh. Sakura, well, I. I ended up in the same park here and I. huh?" Syaoran noticed a small objects blowing in the wind towards him. As it rose up in a gust, he grabbed it. "My hat?"
Sakura clapped her hands together once. "Oh, that's right! After the battle, I had saved it, and I was promising to give it back!"
"Huh? You mean you kept this thing? You didn't really have to."
Sakura smiled. "But I wanted to keep it, still. When I found it."
"Why is that?" Syaoran asked, with a look of complete clueless look.
"Well," Sakura replied, "Because it reminded me of you, and what a good friend you always were. no, the wonderful friend you still ARE." Syaoran stepped over and placed the hat on her head. "Hoe?" Sakura muttered in confusion.
"You can keep it, Sakura. And, thank you for caring," he said smiling.
Meiling threw an arm in the air. "Yes! Plan one is working."
Tomoyo giggled in her usual way, still filming the happy pair. "Well, I remember when Li-kun disappeared, the first thing Sakura did was grab his hat. So, with Eriol providing the wind." She turned and nodded to Eriol, still holding the staff that created the wind, "I could blow this over to them, and remind them of that moment."
Sakura started to smile even more, but seemed a bit worried to ask. "Syaoran, can I ask you something?" The boy nodded, remaining silent. "That moment you left. when you were pulled here. I. I heard you. tell me something. I. Did you mean it when you told me that you l-"
"OY! SAKURA!" Sakura flew down to the ground and hovered in her face.
Meiling growled and a giant vein burst on her forehead. "GRAH! DAMN THAT STUFFED ANIMAL!"
Tomoyo sighed. "And we were so close, too."
"Sakura, what the hell is goin' on here?!" Kero asked. "Suppi and I were just flyin' around town and everything's messed up!"
Sakura nodded. "Well, I did notice a few things were different, but. nothing that extreme. What did you see?"
Kero waved his arm, signaling all to follow him. "Well, what I saw definitely qualifies as extreme. Take a look! Follow me!"
Deciding perhaps, for once, Kero had a legitimate reason for spoiling a mood, everyone, Sakura, Syaoran, Tomoyo, Meiling, and Eriol, ran behind him down the street.
Tomoyo ran alongside Kero. "Ummm. Kero-chan, if I'm not being too hasty, where are we going?"
Kero looked to her, flying as fast as he could on his tiny wings, and said, "To your house!"
"Huh? What business could be going on at my house?" she asked.
Kero shook his head. "You'll see. I just have the feeling Koji's been around here." He turned around a road corner and the group ran through a crowd of people hanging outside at the stores in town. Not wanting to be seen, Kero flew inside Tomoyo's hair.
After they made their way through the crowds, they were back on an empty road. Kero popped out of Tomoyo's hair and listened to Sakura say, "Koji WAS around here. He attacked Tomoyo, Meiling, and me. And if it weren't for Syaoran."
Kero cursed aloud. "K'so. This isn't good. What happened anyway?"
Sakura laughed as she ran "Well... err. I.. Heh. heh. I guess I forgot to ask."
A sweat drop ran down Kero's head. "You're life was in jeopardy and as soon as you're safe again, you forget to ask what happened? Oy."
Syaoran started to explain. "Well, let's see. I was wandering around the school like I've every night after school because it's always deserted, so no one can find me. As I came around the corner, I spotted Meiling first, and thought she must have been here practicing. Since her age wasn't changed much, if at all, I thought she was the same girl as from this dimensions. Then I saw Tomoyo, backing up in fear. She cried out 'Sakura!' and that's when I saw Koji. He had his mirror to her face, and something. something was coming out of Sakura's eyes. like. I'm not sure. It just looked like she was becoming lifeless. So, I jumped in and attacked Koji but he got away. That's when Eriol showed up and Sakura woke up a little while later."
Kero shook his head. "Oh, man, this is bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, BAD! .Eh? And do you guys sense that, too?"
Sakura screeched to a halt. "Wait, I do sense something, Kero!" Everyone else stopped as well. "Wait right here." Tomoyo was about to speak, but Sakura shushed her. "Shhh. don't say anything." She whispered. She pressed her back against the wall beside a street corner and leaned. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a few men, searching the next street. They were all dressed in black suits, and they all seemed to be carrying swords.
"HOEEE!" The men all turned as sakura screamed in surprise. She ducked behind the corner once more.
"Who's there?" A man cried out. "You, go check it out! We mustn't let anyone catch onto us!"
Sakura ran back to her group. "Everyone! It's Koji's henchmen! Hide!"
"What?!" Syaoran exclaimed. "Shoot, everyone, into the bushes on the other side of the road!"
The entire group ran across the empty street and leapt into a mound of short, deep green bushes. They all stared closely through the web of branches and leaves. They saw one of the men, ready to draw his sword, come down the road they were just on.
"Hey, what's going on?" asked Meiling. "I can't see anything from back here!"
"SHHH!" Syaoran whispered. "Quiet, or he'll hear you!"
Meiling still moved around in a fuss, though. "I want to see, though. If I can just get a little. OW!" Meiling pulled her hand back and immediately put it in her mouth. "I pricked my finger," she whispered.
"Who's there?!" asked the guard, as he approached. Everyone leaned in close to the bush, trying to remain out of sight. Hearts raced faster. If he found out they were there and alerted the others, there was no way they could escape. "I said, who's there?" He stepped closer until he was just above the bush. Sakura gulped in fear. The demon henchman stepped over to the bush and slowly leaned over it to see over the other side. "OOF!"
In one quick movement, the demon was flipped over the bush by a pair of hands from behind it and he let out a loud grunt when he hit the ground.
"Hey, Leo, you okay back there? What was that noise?" Another demon rounded the corner a minute later. "Leo? Hey, Leo, where are you? Where'd ya' go?"
Leo stood up from behind the bushes and replied, "Uhhh, sorry about that. I guess all I heard was a cat back here. I didn't find anything."
The second guard replied, "You're working too hard, Leo. You can't investigate every little sound you hear. I mean, this town ain't even deserted, yet."
Leo sighed. "I guess you're right. Tell you what, I think I'll just lie back here for a while and take a nap, all right? Maybe that will calm my nerves."
The guard smiled back. "Good idea. I'll catch you later, then." He returned to his search on the next street.
Syaoran threw off his sunglasses. "That was too close." he whispered to himself, wiping a flood of sweat off his forehead. "I can't believe that worked."
Eriol smiled. "Well, it did work, so there's no need to worry."
Syaoran glared back and replied, "Well, next time you intend to kidnap someone and force me to dress like him, can you give me some more warning? Anyway." He turned to Sakura. "How is he?"
Sakura turned around and replied, with a look of fright and guilt on her face, "Well, he's not injured. But I feel so guilty about taking a hostage! Maybe if we just let the demon go. And the ropes and gag look so tight on him. Can't I loosen them a little?"
Eriol sighed. "Sakura, this is war. If we go easy on these beasts, we're going to lose. Don't worry. Besides, remember, these things aren't even living."
Sakura sighed and hung her head. She could tell there was no use arguing. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
Meiling took her finger out of her mouth once the bleeding stopped. "But I just had a thought. Hey, plush toy!"
Kero snarled at this remark. "The name's Keroberos!"
Meiling ignored this remark and continued, though. "If we want to get to what you were talking about, at Daidouji's house, won't we have to go down these roads that are blocked off by Koji's goons?"
Kero's scowl disappeared as he thought about it. "Well." he said, rising higher, "I seem ore and more of them down every road from up here, so. Yeah, we're going to have to find a way around them."
Meiling smirked somewhat diabolically. She had a wonderful plan in mind. "Well, then I have an idea. Eriol, can you follow me?"
Eriol stood up and asked in his most gentleman-like fashion, "How can I be of service?"
Meiling hopped over the bushes and replied, "Well, we're going to need a wardrobe change. And you're just the person to help us get it."
Sakura leaned over the top of the bushes and asked, "What are you talking about? Why do we need new clothes?"
"You'll see," replied Meiling, just before charging down the street towards the next corner where the demon guards were still searching. She stopped just before she was in sight of the demons and waited for Eriol to catch up. When he did, she whispered into his ear and he nodded, as if to agree with the plan.
Eriol turned and ran into an alleyway behind the store they stood next to. "What are they planning to do?" Sakura asked, leaning forward alongside Tomoyo and Syaoran, all hoping to see what was going on. Kero sat atop Sakura's head, also watching carefully.
Quickly, Meiling leaped into the center of the street. "Hey, over here! Come on, you stupid demons! Bet you can't catch me!"
Syaoran stood up quickly, a grimace on his face and a look of fear in his eyes. "What the hell is she doing? Those guys are armed with swords! She's going to get herself killed!"
"Meiling, please, don't do anything brash!" Tomoyo called out.
The girl turned and ran back, though, as a fleet of demons followed closely behind. She ran towards the alley where her ally was lying in wait. "NOW!"
Eriol raised his staff and began to summon a spell. As the demons passed the alley, a gust of wind picked up in a matter of seconds. The ferocity of the wind threw the demons across the street and they skidded off the ground into trees, mailboxes, walls, and anything in their path.
Sakura sighed, surveying the carnage, as the demons lie around her, unconscious. "I really wish we didn't have to do this. I always feel so bad for them."
Tomoyo nodded in agreement. "They may be non-living and demons, but that doesn't mean we should hurt them." She bent over and observed one of the said demons that had been thrown into a wall. She was a tall, Asian, brunette woman with teal eyes underneath her sunglasses. Her dark brown hair fell from behind her ear over her glasses. Tomoyo pushed it back and smiled. "And, after all, they do look so human."
Eriol just let out a giant sigh, threw his hands in the air, surrendering. "Okay, okay, I give up. After this, I'll try not to hurt any more of them, Is that all right with you all?"
Sakura and Tomoyo nodded in approval.
"Good," Eriol continued. "Then Sakura, Tomoyo, grab a suit and follow my lead."
********************************
Meiling marched down the demon filled road, wrapped up with a tight rope. Behind her, four demons smiled and forced her along. "Hey, quit shoving!" Meiling screamed to her captors behind her.
"Errr. be quiet!" Said one female demon to her prisoner. "Was that too harsh?" she then asked in a barely audible whisper.
Meiling sighed and tried to explain the situation as best as she could. "No, you have to act more aggressive, Kinomoto. We want them to think that you really fought to catch me. Whatever you do, don't act nice!"
"Hoeee." Sakura whispered. "I'll try, but I'm not good at that sort of thing."
"Hey, you four there! With the girl!" A female demon called out to them from down the road. It looked like she was she was guarding the end of the street. She ran to them, a never ceasing and serious look on her face, and began to question them. "This girl. who is she?"
"She's one of the girls with that Kinomoto girl that's always plaguing our master," Tomoyo said, in a completely expressionless tone. "We found her spying on us, over on the other street. She was alone, and we captured her quickly. We were on our way to meet up with a friend of ours who said he had a few 'tests' to run on anyone we could find."
"Well, you old freaks just got lucky! If my guard wasn't down, I would have easily beaten you all!" Meiling screamed in protest. "I was just distracted."
Eriol pushed her along. "Yeah, yeah, just keep quiet. Don't make it any harder on yourself. Just be glad we didn't kill you when we had the chance."
The inspecting demon smiled. "Koji will be pleased with this. Take her wherever you need to, but don't lose track of her. I'm sure Koji would enjoy some personal time with her later. You're clear to pass." She waved them on and they all continued.
As soon as the group was out of sight, they all breathed a sigh of relief. "I don't know how you guys do that." Syaoran said. "Tomoyo, Meiling, Eriol. you all act so well. I froze up. I didn't know what to say."
Sakura nodded in agreement. "I've never known anyone who can act so well as you, Tomoyo, you're always so nice, but you can perfectly act like one of Koji's demons."
Eriol laughed. "Well, if Daidouji can do anything better than I can, it's lying. She's quite good at that."
Tomoyo blushed. "Oh, no, it's nothing. Meiling was what made it seem like we really did it."
This brought a smile to the young Chinese girl. "Well, I was pretty good, but then again, it's not too far off from how I would really have acted, so. Well, anyway, we're almost to Daidouji's house."
Kero popped out from behind Sakura's head. "The gaki is right. Let's move!"
They continued down the long street, flying by shops, homes, and occasionally other demons. When they approached, they merely grabbed Meiling and pretended to be leading her somewhere. When this long road was finished, they finally reached their destination.
They rounded the last corner and approached the Daidouji Manor.
Or. well. where it used to be.
Syaoran removed his sunglasses. "These. these things must be making me hallucinate. That's. that's not Tomoyo's house. it's. it's. MY HOUSE!"
Tomoyo dropped her glasses to the ground, and tears began to pour from her eyes. "But. if your house is there. where. where. My family. are they.. okay?" She walked up to the gate, the exact gate they had entered when they visited the Li Manor in the past, and fell to her knees. "Mother. please. be okay." She dropped her face into her cupped hands and cried.
Sakura, Syaoran, and Meiling all dropped down beside Tomoyo and began to try and comfort her. Eriol, though, stood, staring at the home, clenching his fist tightly. "It's too late. I knew it would happen, but I didn't think it would be so soon. Darn it."
Sakura turned back to Eriol, with a look of sadness still for Tomoyo, and asked, "Wait, what's going on? How did you know about this?"
Eriol turned away. "I knew. something LIKE this could happen. And if what I'm thinking is actually happening, Tomoyo, you need not worry for your family's safety."
The girl's tears stopped rolling. "What. do you mean? I mean, she's gone, isn't she?"
Eriol nodded. "Perhaps, but she's not dead. Granted, what's happening may be worse than if she had. I believe."
"Sakura-chan? Xiao Lang? Daidouji-chan?" A familiar voice interrupted Eriol, and when the group turned to answer, they went into a state of shock.
"AERIN?!" screamed Sakura.
Standing on the other side of the gate was their friend from the past, as well as Syaoran's ancestor. "What.. What are you doing in China? Or back in my time, for that matter?" asked the confused Aerin.
Syaoran slowly pushed open the gate, answering. "You mean, what are YOU doing in OUR time in Japan?"
Aerin blinked. "Wait, you mean. WE were sent here? But." she looked around. "You're right. this does not look nor feel like home. What is going on here? I didn't sense someone here casting any spell, especially a time related one. Those are very easy to feel."
Eriol sat down and leaned against the fence. He pushed his glasses higher on his face and said, "It's an extremely long story, but the short answer is, Koji is at fault. This is his doing alone."
Syaoran turned and asked, "But how could he do this? I mean, how are these places connected at all? It doesn't-"
Eriol raised one hand to silence him. "Not right now. We need to get everyone together. I will go find the rest of our group, and bring them back here. We have little time to lose. The rest of you, wait here."
Sakura nodded. "I'm not sure what's going on, but okay. Is there anything we can do to help?"
Eriol started to walk away, but look backed to reply, "Just prepare yourself."
Sakura asked, "For what?"
Eriol replied, "Anything." He started to sprint away.
Aerin clutched her chest, in worry. "This is not good." She squeezed even harder. "Even I cannot foretell what is going to happen. I can't see anything. Something most strange is going on, that it is. But, in any case, please, why don't you all come inside?"
"Eh? Is that you, Li Xiao Lang?" Takumi stood under the archway of the door as the group tried to enter. He turned to his wife and exclaimed. "My love, you didn't tell me that they were going to come for a visit so soon! I could have arranged for some entertainment tonight!"
Syaoran sighed and answered, "I assure you, even we didn't know we should be returning this soon."
Aerin ran up to her husband, face to face, to deliver the news. "The problem is, it is to that they have come to visit us, but we have come to visit them. We're in Japan, dear, in the future."
Takumi's eyes shrunk. He shook his head. "Could. could you repeat that? I could have sworn you just said we were in Japan in the future."
Aerin shook her head meekly. "That's exactly what I said."
Takumi stood in stunned silence for a moment. "Oh." He finally said. and then started to walk off, seemingly in a state of shock. "I think. I'll go lie down."
Meiling couldn't take it anymore. "Wait, wait, hold on. Let me get this straight, I've been trying to figure this out, but.. This is the LI MANOR, our Li Manor, from ancient times, that you all visited before you told me about this whole adventure?"
Aerin nodded. "Yes, this is where they came before. Although, this mansion was in China last time." Aerin sighed. "Oh, but look at all of you, disguised like those demons out there. Come. I'll help you all get into something more appropriate while we wait for your friends. Oh, maids, could you please come here a minute?" Four women, all dressed as servants, entered the room from three different doors around the room. "Could you please all take our guests to their rooms and find them something suitable to wear?"
"With pleasure!" They all said, before each maid grabbed a guest and started to force them along.
"Uhhh, h-hey, we don't want to. err. be a bother." Sakura said.
"Oh, it's no trouble at all, Aerin said, before the maids had removed everyone from speaking distance from her.
Four doors slammed in a row, as the guests were brought into their rooms and changed. Upon them emerging, they were all clad in their old Chinese clothing from their first visit to China.
"Ah, this brings back memories." said Sakura, reminiscing about their previous trip. the food, the wedding. the dancing.
"Sakura, that was only a few days ago," Syaoran interrupted.
"Oh! Right! I guess it has just seemed like so long." She said with a laugh, trying to cover her embarrassment.
Meiling looked down at her clothes. "Hmmm? My old battle uniform from the Clow Card capturing days. Shaoran's mother always told me that the design came from our family, a long time ago. I didn't know it came from this time!"
"Actually, it was my mother's design," said Aerin, coming down the hall. "But we don't have much time to discuss that. Your friends are here, waiting for you in the dining hall. We'll be serving tea as we overhear what's going on. Well, come along now." She shooed them along the hall.
The doors to the large dining hall were flung open. It was the same room the wedding had been held mere days (or was it centuries?) before. However, the vast room, which was once covered in tables, guests, food, musicians, and everything else was most bare. Every step of Sakura's flat shoes echoed loudly throughout the room. In the very center of the room was a large, circular table with a light reddish-brown polish to it. Chairs were pulled out beside it, and some of Sakura's friends filled them. Eriol sat sipping his tea beside Kaho at the very end of the table. Mia was beside Kaho, still in her younger state, which made sitting and drinking on the somewhat short chairs a little difficult. Yue sat beside Eriol, on his other side, followed by Ruby Moon and Spinnel.
Sakura pulled out a chair across from Eriol and noticed the porcelain tea set in front of her. A maid came up and poured her a cup, and did the same for the others as they took their seats. At first, no one said anything. Sakura, Syaoran, Tomoyo, and Meiling just sat and watched Eriol, who rested his arms on the table, thinking to himself. He was still disguised as one of Koji's lackeys, but didn't seem to mind. He had too much on his mind. He slowly stood up and leaned over the table. ".I'm afraid I've gone over everything I've seen, and all I can say is the situation may be worse than I could have ever imagined."
There was silence once more.
Sakura pondered what he could have meant and finally built up the nerve to ask, "What is going on, exactly?"
Eriol pushed his glasses back up and calmly answered, "Koji is planning to tear this dimension into shreds."
Syaoran stood up, leaning over the table. "What did you just say? Can you do that? Is it possible?"
Eriol sat back down and sighed. "Unfortunately, not only is it possible, but we've already witnessed an effect. We're sitting in it right now."
Tomoyo looked around her. "You mean, my house has vanished because Koji wants to destroy this world?"
Eriol nodded. "Well, for the most part, that's true. The only thing wrong is that your house has not 'vanished.' It was merely relocated. As was the house we currently sit in."
"Relocated?" Mia asked. "What, so Tomoyo's house is in China right now?"
Eriol shook his head. "Not quite. You're close but. It's back in time. You see, I've noticed some odd effects in this world. Areas being swapped, people vanishing, and even personalities changing."
"Eh? You mean that's why all the people in this world are so weird?" asked Meiling in an annoyed tone.
Eriol nodded once more. "Precisely. According to my research, this world was meant to be different in that Sakura was NOT to be the Master of the Clow, but rather, Syaoran was. I did some deeper research and it appears, here, the Clow Book never came to Japan. It remained in the possession of the Li Clan for a long time. But then, Syaoran, much like Sakura, opened the book and lost the Cards. which were blown by a magic wind to Japan. That is where Sakura met Kero. The story plays out much like it already has, but the difference was Li had the Windy Card from the start. That made the entire set of cards the two owned completely different. This, of course, affected the Final Judgment. However, as you have seen with the Sakura, Syaoran, and others of this world, there are many differences within them. Sakura should not be a swords woman. Tomoyo should not know how to fight. Meiling should not be interested in cameras. These personality traits are being swapped as the world splits. They're almost like errors in a computer program."
Aerin stepped forward. "Excuse me, but, if I may ask, what is causing this split in the dimension?"
"Simple. Koji has mastered the art of not only being in three different places at once, but being in three different times," replied the boy.
"Hoeee? How would that change the dimension?" asked Sakura.
Eriol got up and started to pace impatiently. "It's extremely complicated, but I'll try to make it easier to understand. You see, Koji has used his powers to go into the past, present, and future of this world all at once. In each of these worlds, he changes something drastically. Thus, he alters, and basically severs, the timeline for each world into three separate pieces."
Tomoyo turned her head to Eriol and asked, "If you don't mind my asking, what will that accomplish? Isn't he after Clow Reed?"
Eriol nodded. "Indeed, he is. But, you see, I was no fool, when I was Clow Reed. Clow has sensed Koji's intent and has fortified his location under a seal. No one from any dimension can break through it from the outside. Thus, for Koji to get in. He must be. between dimensions. He must be non- existent in any world. This is why he is doing what he's doing. When the world splits into three separate worlds, he will be at the center of the tear in time and space, thus, not belonging in any world. He can then bring himself to Clow Reed's location."
There was a deafening silence in the room once more. Though the footstep of a mouse could be heard echoing in the huge room, not a single sound, not even a breath, could be heard.
The ground began to shake a little.
"What was that?" Asked Sakura.
Aerin shook her head. "It's. begun."
Syaoran stood up and grabbed his pedant around his neck. "WELL? What are we waiting for? We have to get him!" Eriol shook his head. "I'm sorry, but we can't do that yet. A world in a dimension is a huge place. It may take anywhere from a day to a week for the entire process to be completed. In the mean time, we can expect many 'glitches,' like this house being here. It would be best if we all stayed here to wait this out, lest we get separated and cannot find someone, or something appears that harms him or her."
Syaoran stared at Eriol. "What do you mean that these things will continue to happen?"
"In essence," explained Eriol, "He's tearing the entire universe apart. This requires tremendous force, and is not very accurate. Objects may be flung through time and space randomly, and one never knows what might occur. That is why we must stay here."
The ground shook once more. "What the hell was that?" Syaoran asked, making his way to the front door. He threw them open, and outside the gates, where houses once stood were now gigantic trees. "What. what in. Where did all the houses and stores go?!" He asked.
"This is what I told you." Eriol said, approaching. "The area has been swapped with a random moment in history. By the looks of it, about 30 million years ago."
Aerin stepped forward. "I can't sense the presence of any people there. Not even Koji's foot soldiers. That must mean they've also been switched."
Eriol grabbed Aerin and Sakura's hands and turned back and ran to the main hall again. "Mia, join hands with us. We don't have much time to lose. Sakura, get out the Shield and the Time."
Sakura reached for her bag, asking, "But what good will these do?"
Eriol didn't answer. "Daidouji, come here, and have out your necklace!" Tomoyo ran swiftly, though unsure of what she was to do. Her footsteps were too fast to allow it to fully echo. As soon as she reached Eriol he grabbed the necklace tightly in a fist and his hand glowed. He transferred his energy straight into the jewel. A great set of wings wrapped around her and she emerged as her angel form. "Take these cards, and form a protective shield for this house." Eriol grabbed the Time and Shield cards from Sakura and handed them to the girl. Tomoyo snapped her fingers and a staff appeared in her hands.
"Oh, Cards of unimaginable power," She lifted the Shield Card, "protect all that dwell in this house." she lifted the Time Card, "from the effects of time itself!"
A bright light exploded from Tomoyo's hands, causing everyone but her to close their eyes and cover their faces with their hands. When it cleared, a light yellow light could be seen overhead out the skylight.
Eriol stared at the light for a moment before taking a giant sigh. "That should keep us safe while we're here. Now we can't be teleported as long as we stay here."
Sakura just stared out the skylight. "I just hope everything goes all right.
A day passed, and it was night once more.
Sakura lay awake in her bed, staring up at the sky through her window. She sat up, curling her legs in, and rested her chin, thinking. "What's gonna happen to us.? Koji's ripping a dimension apart. And where are we going to go? How will we survive? Can we come back? .I'm scared."
The door crept open slightly. The candlelight trailed through the crack down onto the edge of her bed. The door opened a little more and a pair of brown eyes peered in. "Sakura, you're awake, too?"
The girl nodded, hugging her blanket. Syaoran came in and sat down on her bed, sighing deeply. Sakura shifted closer to Syaoran. "Are. you worried, too?" He nodded his head slowly. "I just can't stop thinking. how much the world is changing out there while we're stuck in here, waiting, all for the end to come for this world. It's been a day since the shield went up, and all we've been allowed to do is wait. I want to go out there and do something. but I can't. I'm scared."
Syaoran moved closer and put his arms on her shoulders, letting her lean on his. "I know what you mean. But. remember, when we catch Koji, everything will return to normal."
Sakura pulled herself out from under her covers and sat beside Syaoran on the edge of the bed. She stared down at her cute, bare feet. "But. what if we can't catch him? This world will never be the same. Everyone will be gone. Syaoran, you won't even be born. Neither will I. We can't fail. but what if we do?!"
They both sat silent momentarily. "Sakura," Syaoran began, "you've managed to capture and control all of the Clow Cards. you made them into Sakura Cards, too. Every time something has happened, you've stayed strong; you didn't give up, stood up, faced it, and won. You're going to do it again, too, because I believe you can." He moved his hand on top of hers. "And I'm going to be there with you, the whole time."
Sakura face reddened deeply. ".Thank you. I feel better. I don't know what will happen if we lose. but I know. we mustn't. we can't. we won't." She leaned her head on his shoulder and yawned. "I refuse to lose."
Syaoran smiled slightly as the girl on his shoulder closed her eyes. "I'm always going to be by your side, Sakura." He yawned as well. "One way or another." He started to slowly fall back onto the bed, Sakura still leaning on him, "I'm not going to lose you again. Ever."
The dawn came again.
Sakura sat back up, in her bed. She squinted her eyes, looking out the window from which the sun pored in. She realized she was still hanging over the edge of her bed, not under the covers, where she had fallen with Syaoran. But yet.. Her clothes didn't fit right. She felt somehow. different, too. She stood up to find her one-piece pajama dress went well below her feet. She walked over to a mirror and a child-like face stared back at her. "I'm back to my old self!" she exclaimed in excitement. "The spell wore off! I'm not 16 anymore!" She ran down the hallway, down to where most people ate their breakfast in the morning, throwing open the door. At a table, Tomoyo, Mia, and Meiling were eating, all their normal selves. She ran forward, exclaiming, "Wow! We're all back to norm-ah! HOEEE!"
Sakura's foot stepped on her excessively long gown and she began to fall. She closed her eyes, not daring to watch. But before she hit the ground, something, or somebody, broke her fall. She was turned over to have another pair of brown eyes staring back at her. "Are you all right, Sakura?" Syaoran asked. He was back in his old body as well. Both their cheeks reddened as they stared back into each other silent.
"Hee hee. I see our little doves are fine this morning." Said Mia, whispering to Tomoyo.
Tomoyo turned to Mia and giggled back. "Indeed, it is so lovely to see them together, even if they won't admit they're in love quite yet."
Syaoran set Sakura down, but didn't stop blushing. "Err. yes, I'm all right," answered Sakura finally. "it may be strange, but I guess I'm not used to my old body. Errr. well, it's my young body but uhhh. Hoeee. I'm confusing myself."
Syaoran nodded, but faced away from Sakura rigidly. "Errr. I know what you mean. Well. I was just on my way to the bath, so, maybe I should be."
Sakura turned and grabbed Syaoran's arm. "Well, actually, before you go." The boy stopped and turned around, somehow less embarrassed and more curious. Sakura stared at the ground, twiddling her fingers, trying to find the courage to say what must be said. "I just wanted to thank you for last night. I was pretty scared. but when you came, I felt a lot better. I was doubting myself until you told me not to."
Syaoran frowned a little. "I didn't do anything."
"That's not true!" Sakura shouted, somewhat shocked at the boy's reply. "You do so much for me! You're always there when I need a friend. You help me try even harder! Just your being there helps me feel better."
Syaoran moved in closer to Sakura, wrapping one arm around her shoulder. The bright morning light came out from behind a cloud and shimmered over them. "Sakura." Syaoran whispered. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you." He took a deep breath.
"You're not the only one who feels that way. I. I feel that way when I'm near you, too." He took a deep, trembling breath. "Sakura. what I mean to say is. I. I lo-"
SLAM!
A door swung open, causing a loud crash as Takumi came into the room, carrying a tray of breakfast foods sleepily. "Sorry it took so long for me to get everything ready," Takumi said. Sakura and Syaoran halted their movements, blushed, and walked away, excusing themselves.
"Damn." Mia exclaimed.
"And they were so close, too." Tomoyo said, depressingly.
Takumi stood over Tomoyo and Mia's table, blinking for a second. "Errr. did I do something wrong?"
Syaoran leaned his back up against the wall of the men's bath. He was half- submerged, just thinking about the situation. "When will I ever get my time to say how I feel?" He rolled over, resting on his arms on the edge of the bath. "Every time I try, something interrupts me. Every time! I can almost hear someone laughing at me. like it's some kind of joke." He sighed and dunked his head under.
Though, he didn't realize on the other side of the wall he rested by, Sakura was under the water herself in the women's bath. She rose to the surface and inhaled deeply. "Ah, so nice and warm." She moved up against the wall and sighed. "Though, now I wonder.. What did Syaoran want to tell me? His eyes. looked. so calm and sweet. but he looked scared. I hope something isn't bothering him." She stood up and grabbed her towel. "I'll go see him right away!"
Syaoran came up from underwater. "That's it! I can't wait around anymore. Who knows when Koji's power might tear this dimension apart? I'm going to tell Sakura how I feel and I'm going to do it right away!" He grabbed his towel and ran out of the room.
Sakura turned out of the bath down the hall, still drying her hair. Syaoran did the same, going the same way, though Sakura was just out of sight before he entered the hallways. They both walked down the halls back to the main entrance. On the way, they passed by the library where Aerin, Eriol, and Kaho studied a set of books. Yue and Ruby Moon sat by, watching, waiting. Tomoyo was practicing her singing with Mia listening in a small dance hall. Sakura noticed Meiling practicing her martial arts in the training room along with Takumi. Kero was gorging himself in the kitchen, much to the disgust of Spinnel. Seeing all her friends having fun like this made Sakura's face light up. "But I don't see Syaoran." she said.
Syaoran took the same path around the halls as Sakura, mumbling to himself. "I see Eriol, Kaho, Meiling, Kero. but where's Sakura?"
Sakura came, finally, to the main entrance. 'Hoeee. this place is so huge. My feet hurt from walking so much." She turned to a small chair in the corner and sat there to rest. "I have to find Syaoran, though!"
Little did she know, though, the boy was approaching the main entrance as well.
"No time to rest, I suppose." She stood up and headed back towards the same hallways she had just exited. "I'll make sure I didn't just pass him."
But as she walked to the hall, Syaoran emerged quickly and the two collided. Sakura fell to the ground. "HOE! I'm sorry, I didn't. Syaoran!"
The boy helped Sakura to her feet. "Sakura!"
"I've been looking for you!" The both exclaimed at once. "Eh? Me? Why me?" They then both asked in sync. "Well. err. I had something to tell you."
"Errr. you go first." Sakura said.
"No, no, you can go." Syaoran replied.
Eriol dropped his book and looked out the window. ".It's time."
"Well, it's just. you looked like something was bothering you, Syaoran. so.. I thought you might want to talk about it," Sakura explained.
Syaoran sighed. "Actually, something has been on my mind for a while. But every time I try to say it, I lose the courage, or something interrupts me."
Sakura placed her hands on her chest and looked Syaoran in the eyes with a look of concern. "Syaoran, you know you can tell me anything."
"Well, Sakura." he started. "It's about my feelings. I've. felt this way for so long. But I'm going to just say it. Sakura. I think I-"
The front door was suddenly thrown open violently, with a tremendous force pulling everything inside towards it. Candles, chairs, anything not nailed down was pulled closer to the vacuum. Everything went dark. Eriol ran into the room, followed closely by Spinnel, Kero, Yue, and Ruby Moon. "The time is now!" Eriol Exclaimed. "The dimension is splitting, and this shield cannot hold us for long. Any minute, part of this house could cave in on us. We must move! Everyone out of here, quickly! We will escape into the rip in the dimension. The worst outside is over. Quickly!" A fleet of people came running by, Takumi leading the servants and others of the house outside.
Tomoyo, Mia, Kaho, Aerin, and the others ran by as well. Eriol himself grabbed Kaho's hand and raced outside as well.
"Sakura-chan! Li-kun! Hurry, please!" Tomoyo yelled to the pair as Mia and the others helped her out.
Sakura started to make for the door when Syaoran grabbed her by the hand. "Syaoran, what are you doing? We have to go!"
Syaoran shook his head. "I can't be interrupted! Sakura, just promise me one thing! Where you go. Whatever you do. Let me be with you!"
A tear rolled down Sakura's cheek and she hugged him tight. "Of course, Syaoran."
The void grew stronger and together, hand in hand, they ran through the door into the darkness.
To be continued.
of school, finals to study for, I had no time in June or July to do any actual writing. Then came the end of June and July. and. my faithful and wonderful editor had a bit of an accident. and, well, she was quite busy, let's just say. She's been extremely strong and kind, still, but has much work to be done, which leaves very little time for editing fan fictions. Instead of breathing down her already stressed out neck, making her read
more pages out of the million or three she has to, I'm updating now, unedited. There may be a few typos and plot holes, but I will fix them if
you point them out to me. I'm terribly, terribly sorry. Also with
vacations, school projects, insane brothers, therapy sessions, panic streaks, funerals, and, yes, even love, my life has been a bit hectic. I
PROMISE that the next chapter will be out SOON to make up for it. Also,
note, that I have started work on another fiction! If you're a fan of
Inuyasha, look for "Nekoyasha," which I will be uploading today.
Also, I had some errors in uploading this chapter, so sometimes, not all of
it would load. I apologize for any inconvenience.
::Camera zooms out, showing he is tied to his chair by the computer:: So,
uhhh, could someone untie me now? Please?
Chapter 30
Let Me Be with You
(Author's note: Yes, a reference to a certain other CLAMP title)
Ignoring her weariness, Sakura leapt from her seated position in Eriol's lap and tackled Syaoran to the ground with a hug.
"Oh, thank God. Syaoran, I was so scared. I was afraid I wouldn't get to see you again." Tears began to pour from her eyes faster than raindrops.
The boy's face turned bright red. "I. It's okay, Sakura. I'm fine. I'm g- glad to see you, too. I was scared, as well."
Sakura let go and stood up. Her face turned red as well. "Oops. I'm sorry.I got too emotional there. I was just so happy. I."
Syaoran chuckled. "It's okay. I was really surprised to find you hear. I thought I was lost forever." He stood up and brushed the dirt off his clothes. Sakura got the chance then, to see how he looked.
"Oh. S-Syaoran. I. errr. I see you grew, too." Sakura said, switching back and forth between staring at the ground beneath her and his deep, brown eyes in front of her.
Syaoran stood, tall, lean, and strong. After the effects of Koji's spell, he was at least eighteen, if not nineteen, years of age. His hair was no longer or shorter than usual, but it was even messier than normal (if such a thing was possible). He was wearing only a white robe, common in earlier ages of Japan, and a pair of sandals.
"You.. Ummm. look great. uh. yeah.." Sakura said, he voice diminishing with each utterance.
Syaoran rubbed the back of his head and stared at the ground, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Well, uh, I find that hard to believe. I've mostly been running around outside this whole time. This robe I even had to borrow from the school's costume rack. But you.. You look really." He stared down at her, as she was about a quarter to an eighth to a quarter of a meter shorter than he was. But whether she was a little shorter, or 2 meters taller, Syaoran still saw the same emerald eyes. "You look. mature, too."
The lens of a video camera poked out of the bushes and two pairs of eyes gazed around it.
"This is pathetic." Meiling said. "Daidouji, we both know they care for each other, and they've even seen each other like this before, but they STILL get butterflies in their stomachs every time they even LOOK at each other."
Tomoyo sighed and shook her head. "I agree. Sakura's carefree attitude and her sensitivity in matters of the heart are some of her cutest and most wonderful qualities. but they do make helping her get into a true relationship rather difficult."
"And that's why I'm going to help, as well."
"AIEEE!" Both girls gave a quiet shriek as Eriol came up from behind them.
"Shhh!" Eriol said, grabbing and dragging them both out of view. I'm here to help!"
Meiling held a hand over her heart and breathed calmly. "Don't DO that! Now. WHAT are you trying to say?" She turned her head quickly, before Eriol could answer, and saw Sakura and Syaoran, still stuttering to find the words they want to say.
"I'm telling you, I'm going to help you to get Sakura-chan and Syaoran-kun together," Eriol stated clearly.
Meiling eyed him suspiciously. "What's the catch? It's rather unlike YOU to be offering so much help at something like this."
Eriol smiled. "Well, normally, you're right. I wouldn't meddle in such minor affairs. but."
"But.?" Meiling urged him on.
"But I've done some research.. And if we're going to beat Koji, we need all the power we need. And I've always seen Sakura and Syaoran fighting their hardest when the other is involved and in danger."
Tomoyo focused her camera on Sakura with one hand, but turned and said, "So, you think if we can get them together forever, we'll stand more of a chance in case of an emergency."
Eriol nodded. "Exactly. So, what do you say, may I help? I've already sent Yue over to help protect Mia, so he won't be in the way, and now Sakura will also need someone like me to guard her, anyway."
Meiling and Tomoyo looked at each other, nodded, then looked back at Eriol. "Eriol-kun," Tomoyo began, "we'd be honored to have you help us." Eriol and Tomoyo shook hands, both giving off a plotting, sneaky smile. "After all, sometimes even true love needs a little push to get started." At this, Meiling began to laugh.
A moment later, the three of them emerged from the bush and watched Sakura and Syaoran closely.
"Err, so tell me, Syaoran. What.. Ummm. How exactly did you get here? I mean, what did you do AFTER you got sent here."
Meiling sighed. "This is going nowhere. what should we do first?"
"Uhhh. Sakura, well, I. I ended up in the same park here and I. huh?" Syaoran noticed a small objects blowing in the wind towards him. As it rose up in a gust, he grabbed it. "My hat?"
Sakura clapped her hands together once. "Oh, that's right! After the battle, I had saved it, and I was promising to give it back!"
"Huh? You mean you kept this thing? You didn't really have to."
Sakura smiled. "But I wanted to keep it, still. When I found it."
"Why is that?" Syaoran asked, with a look of complete clueless look.
"Well," Sakura replied, "Because it reminded me of you, and what a good friend you always were. no, the wonderful friend you still ARE." Syaoran stepped over and placed the hat on her head. "Hoe?" Sakura muttered in confusion.
"You can keep it, Sakura. And, thank you for caring," he said smiling.
Meiling threw an arm in the air. "Yes! Plan one is working."
Tomoyo giggled in her usual way, still filming the happy pair. "Well, I remember when Li-kun disappeared, the first thing Sakura did was grab his hat. So, with Eriol providing the wind." She turned and nodded to Eriol, still holding the staff that created the wind, "I could blow this over to them, and remind them of that moment."
Sakura started to smile even more, but seemed a bit worried to ask. "Syaoran, can I ask you something?" The boy nodded, remaining silent. "That moment you left. when you were pulled here. I. I heard you. tell me something. I. Did you mean it when you told me that you l-"
"OY! SAKURA!" Sakura flew down to the ground and hovered in her face.
Meiling growled and a giant vein burst on her forehead. "GRAH! DAMN THAT STUFFED ANIMAL!"
Tomoyo sighed. "And we were so close, too."
"Sakura, what the hell is goin' on here?!" Kero asked. "Suppi and I were just flyin' around town and everything's messed up!"
Sakura nodded. "Well, I did notice a few things were different, but. nothing that extreme. What did you see?"
Kero waved his arm, signaling all to follow him. "Well, what I saw definitely qualifies as extreme. Take a look! Follow me!"
Deciding perhaps, for once, Kero had a legitimate reason for spoiling a mood, everyone, Sakura, Syaoran, Tomoyo, Meiling, and Eriol, ran behind him down the street.
Tomoyo ran alongside Kero. "Ummm. Kero-chan, if I'm not being too hasty, where are we going?"
Kero looked to her, flying as fast as he could on his tiny wings, and said, "To your house!"
"Huh? What business could be going on at my house?" she asked.
Kero shook his head. "You'll see. I just have the feeling Koji's been around here." He turned around a road corner and the group ran through a crowd of people hanging outside at the stores in town. Not wanting to be seen, Kero flew inside Tomoyo's hair.
After they made their way through the crowds, they were back on an empty road. Kero popped out of Tomoyo's hair and listened to Sakura say, "Koji WAS around here. He attacked Tomoyo, Meiling, and me. And if it weren't for Syaoran."
Kero cursed aloud. "K'so. This isn't good. What happened anyway?"
Sakura laughed as she ran "Well... err. I.. Heh. heh. I guess I forgot to ask."
A sweat drop ran down Kero's head. "You're life was in jeopardy and as soon as you're safe again, you forget to ask what happened? Oy."
Syaoran started to explain. "Well, let's see. I was wandering around the school like I've every night after school because it's always deserted, so no one can find me. As I came around the corner, I spotted Meiling first, and thought she must have been here practicing. Since her age wasn't changed much, if at all, I thought she was the same girl as from this dimensions. Then I saw Tomoyo, backing up in fear. She cried out 'Sakura!' and that's when I saw Koji. He had his mirror to her face, and something. something was coming out of Sakura's eyes. like. I'm not sure. It just looked like she was becoming lifeless. So, I jumped in and attacked Koji but he got away. That's when Eriol showed up and Sakura woke up a little while later."
Kero shook his head. "Oh, man, this is bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, BAD! .Eh? And do you guys sense that, too?"
Sakura screeched to a halt. "Wait, I do sense something, Kero!" Everyone else stopped as well. "Wait right here." Tomoyo was about to speak, but Sakura shushed her. "Shhh. don't say anything." She whispered. She pressed her back against the wall beside a street corner and leaned. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a few men, searching the next street. They were all dressed in black suits, and they all seemed to be carrying swords.
"HOEEE!" The men all turned as sakura screamed in surprise. She ducked behind the corner once more.
"Who's there?" A man cried out. "You, go check it out! We mustn't let anyone catch onto us!"
Sakura ran back to her group. "Everyone! It's Koji's henchmen! Hide!"
"What?!" Syaoran exclaimed. "Shoot, everyone, into the bushes on the other side of the road!"
The entire group ran across the empty street and leapt into a mound of short, deep green bushes. They all stared closely through the web of branches and leaves. They saw one of the men, ready to draw his sword, come down the road they were just on.
"Hey, what's going on?" asked Meiling. "I can't see anything from back here!"
"SHHH!" Syaoran whispered. "Quiet, or he'll hear you!"
Meiling still moved around in a fuss, though. "I want to see, though. If I can just get a little. OW!" Meiling pulled her hand back and immediately put it in her mouth. "I pricked my finger," she whispered.
"Who's there?!" asked the guard, as he approached. Everyone leaned in close to the bush, trying to remain out of sight. Hearts raced faster. If he found out they were there and alerted the others, there was no way they could escape. "I said, who's there?" He stepped closer until he was just above the bush. Sakura gulped in fear. The demon henchman stepped over to the bush and slowly leaned over it to see over the other side. "OOF!"
In one quick movement, the demon was flipped over the bush by a pair of hands from behind it and he let out a loud grunt when he hit the ground.
"Hey, Leo, you okay back there? What was that noise?" Another demon rounded the corner a minute later. "Leo? Hey, Leo, where are you? Where'd ya' go?"
Leo stood up from behind the bushes and replied, "Uhhh, sorry about that. I guess all I heard was a cat back here. I didn't find anything."
The second guard replied, "You're working too hard, Leo. You can't investigate every little sound you hear. I mean, this town ain't even deserted, yet."
Leo sighed. "I guess you're right. Tell you what, I think I'll just lie back here for a while and take a nap, all right? Maybe that will calm my nerves."
The guard smiled back. "Good idea. I'll catch you later, then." He returned to his search on the next street.
Syaoran threw off his sunglasses. "That was too close." he whispered to himself, wiping a flood of sweat off his forehead. "I can't believe that worked."
Eriol smiled. "Well, it did work, so there's no need to worry."
Syaoran glared back and replied, "Well, next time you intend to kidnap someone and force me to dress like him, can you give me some more warning? Anyway." He turned to Sakura. "How is he?"
Sakura turned around and replied, with a look of fright and guilt on her face, "Well, he's not injured. But I feel so guilty about taking a hostage! Maybe if we just let the demon go. And the ropes and gag look so tight on him. Can't I loosen them a little?"
Eriol sighed. "Sakura, this is war. If we go easy on these beasts, we're going to lose. Don't worry. Besides, remember, these things aren't even living."
Sakura sighed and hung her head. She could tell there was no use arguing. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
Meiling took her finger out of her mouth once the bleeding stopped. "But I just had a thought. Hey, plush toy!"
Kero snarled at this remark. "The name's Keroberos!"
Meiling ignored this remark and continued, though. "If we want to get to what you were talking about, at Daidouji's house, won't we have to go down these roads that are blocked off by Koji's goons?"
Kero's scowl disappeared as he thought about it. "Well." he said, rising higher, "I seem ore and more of them down every road from up here, so. Yeah, we're going to have to find a way around them."
Meiling smirked somewhat diabolically. She had a wonderful plan in mind. "Well, then I have an idea. Eriol, can you follow me?"
Eriol stood up and asked in his most gentleman-like fashion, "How can I be of service?"
Meiling hopped over the bushes and replied, "Well, we're going to need a wardrobe change. And you're just the person to help us get it."
Sakura leaned over the top of the bushes and asked, "What are you talking about? Why do we need new clothes?"
"You'll see," replied Meiling, just before charging down the street towards the next corner where the demon guards were still searching. She stopped just before she was in sight of the demons and waited for Eriol to catch up. When he did, she whispered into his ear and he nodded, as if to agree with the plan.
Eriol turned and ran into an alleyway behind the store they stood next to. "What are they planning to do?" Sakura asked, leaning forward alongside Tomoyo and Syaoran, all hoping to see what was going on. Kero sat atop Sakura's head, also watching carefully.
Quickly, Meiling leaped into the center of the street. "Hey, over here! Come on, you stupid demons! Bet you can't catch me!"
Syaoran stood up quickly, a grimace on his face and a look of fear in his eyes. "What the hell is she doing? Those guys are armed with swords! She's going to get herself killed!"
"Meiling, please, don't do anything brash!" Tomoyo called out.
The girl turned and ran back, though, as a fleet of demons followed closely behind. She ran towards the alley where her ally was lying in wait. "NOW!"
Eriol raised his staff and began to summon a spell. As the demons passed the alley, a gust of wind picked up in a matter of seconds. The ferocity of the wind threw the demons across the street and they skidded off the ground into trees, mailboxes, walls, and anything in their path.
Sakura sighed, surveying the carnage, as the demons lie around her, unconscious. "I really wish we didn't have to do this. I always feel so bad for them."
Tomoyo nodded in agreement. "They may be non-living and demons, but that doesn't mean we should hurt them." She bent over and observed one of the said demons that had been thrown into a wall. She was a tall, Asian, brunette woman with teal eyes underneath her sunglasses. Her dark brown hair fell from behind her ear over her glasses. Tomoyo pushed it back and smiled. "And, after all, they do look so human."
Eriol just let out a giant sigh, threw his hands in the air, surrendering. "Okay, okay, I give up. After this, I'll try not to hurt any more of them, Is that all right with you all?"
Sakura and Tomoyo nodded in approval.
"Good," Eriol continued. "Then Sakura, Tomoyo, grab a suit and follow my lead."
********************************
Meiling marched down the demon filled road, wrapped up with a tight rope. Behind her, four demons smiled and forced her along. "Hey, quit shoving!" Meiling screamed to her captors behind her.
"Errr. be quiet!" Said one female demon to her prisoner. "Was that too harsh?" she then asked in a barely audible whisper.
Meiling sighed and tried to explain the situation as best as she could. "No, you have to act more aggressive, Kinomoto. We want them to think that you really fought to catch me. Whatever you do, don't act nice!"
"Hoeee." Sakura whispered. "I'll try, but I'm not good at that sort of thing."
"Hey, you four there! With the girl!" A female demon called out to them from down the road. It looked like she was she was guarding the end of the street. She ran to them, a never ceasing and serious look on her face, and began to question them. "This girl. who is she?"
"She's one of the girls with that Kinomoto girl that's always plaguing our master," Tomoyo said, in a completely expressionless tone. "We found her spying on us, over on the other street. She was alone, and we captured her quickly. We were on our way to meet up with a friend of ours who said he had a few 'tests' to run on anyone we could find."
"Well, you old freaks just got lucky! If my guard wasn't down, I would have easily beaten you all!" Meiling screamed in protest. "I was just distracted."
Eriol pushed her along. "Yeah, yeah, just keep quiet. Don't make it any harder on yourself. Just be glad we didn't kill you when we had the chance."
The inspecting demon smiled. "Koji will be pleased with this. Take her wherever you need to, but don't lose track of her. I'm sure Koji would enjoy some personal time with her later. You're clear to pass." She waved them on and they all continued.
As soon as the group was out of sight, they all breathed a sigh of relief. "I don't know how you guys do that." Syaoran said. "Tomoyo, Meiling, Eriol. you all act so well. I froze up. I didn't know what to say."
Sakura nodded in agreement. "I've never known anyone who can act so well as you, Tomoyo, you're always so nice, but you can perfectly act like one of Koji's demons."
Eriol laughed. "Well, if Daidouji can do anything better than I can, it's lying. She's quite good at that."
Tomoyo blushed. "Oh, no, it's nothing. Meiling was what made it seem like we really did it."
This brought a smile to the young Chinese girl. "Well, I was pretty good, but then again, it's not too far off from how I would really have acted, so. Well, anyway, we're almost to Daidouji's house."
Kero popped out from behind Sakura's head. "The gaki is right. Let's move!"
They continued down the long street, flying by shops, homes, and occasionally other demons. When they approached, they merely grabbed Meiling and pretended to be leading her somewhere. When this long road was finished, they finally reached their destination.
They rounded the last corner and approached the Daidouji Manor.
Or. well. where it used to be.
Syaoran removed his sunglasses. "These. these things must be making me hallucinate. That's. that's not Tomoyo's house. it's. it's. MY HOUSE!"
Tomoyo dropped her glasses to the ground, and tears began to pour from her eyes. "But. if your house is there. where. where. My family. are they.. okay?" She walked up to the gate, the exact gate they had entered when they visited the Li Manor in the past, and fell to her knees. "Mother. please. be okay." She dropped her face into her cupped hands and cried.
Sakura, Syaoran, and Meiling all dropped down beside Tomoyo and began to try and comfort her. Eriol, though, stood, staring at the home, clenching his fist tightly. "It's too late. I knew it would happen, but I didn't think it would be so soon. Darn it."
Sakura turned back to Eriol, with a look of sadness still for Tomoyo, and asked, "Wait, what's going on? How did you know about this?"
Eriol turned away. "I knew. something LIKE this could happen. And if what I'm thinking is actually happening, Tomoyo, you need not worry for your family's safety."
The girl's tears stopped rolling. "What. do you mean? I mean, she's gone, isn't she?"
Eriol nodded. "Perhaps, but she's not dead. Granted, what's happening may be worse than if she had. I believe."
"Sakura-chan? Xiao Lang? Daidouji-chan?" A familiar voice interrupted Eriol, and when the group turned to answer, they went into a state of shock.
"AERIN?!" screamed Sakura.
Standing on the other side of the gate was their friend from the past, as well as Syaoran's ancestor. "What.. What are you doing in China? Or back in my time, for that matter?" asked the confused Aerin.
Syaoran slowly pushed open the gate, answering. "You mean, what are YOU doing in OUR time in Japan?"
Aerin blinked. "Wait, you mean. WE were sent here? But." she looked around. "You're right. this does not look nor feel like home. What is going on here? I didn't sense someone here casting any spell, especially a time related one. Those are very easy to feel."
Eriol sat down and leaned against the fence. He pushed his glasses higher on his face and said, "It's an extremely long story, but the short answer is, Koji is at fault. This is his doing alone."
Syaoran turned and asked, "But how could he do this? I mean, how are these places connected at all? It doesn't-"
Eriol raised one hand to silence him. "Not right now. We need to get everyone together. I will go find the rest of our group, and bring them back here. We have little time to lose. The rest of you, wait here."
Sakura nodded. "I'm not sure what's going on, but okay. Is there anything we can do to help?"
Eriol started to walk away, but look backed to reply, "Just prepare yourself."
Sakura asked, "For what?"
Eriol replied, "Anything." He started to sprint away.
Aerin clutched her chest, in worry. "This is not good." She squeezed even harder. "Even I cannot foretell what is going to happen. I can't see anything. Something most strange is going on, that it is. But, in any case, please, why don't you all come inside?"
"Eh? Is that you, Li Xiao Lang?" Takumi stood under the archway of the door as the group tried to enter. He turned to his wife and exclaimed. "My love, you didn't tell me that they were going to come for a visit so soon! I could have arranged for some entertainment tonight!"
Syaoran sighed and answered, "I assure you, even we didn't know we should be returning this soon."
Aerin ran up to her husband, face to face, to deliver the news. "The problem is, it is to that they have come to visit us, but we have come to visit them. We're in Japan, dear, in the future."
Takumi's eyes shrunk. He shook his head. "Could. could you repeat that? I could have sworn you just said we were in Japan in the future."
Aerin shook her head meekly. "That's exactly what I said."
Takumi stood in stunned silence for a moment. "Oh." He finally said. and then started to walk off, seemingly in a state of shock. "I think. I'll go lie down."
Meiling couldn't take it anymore. "Wait, wait, hold on. Let me get this straight, I've been trying to figure this out, but.. This is the LI MANOR, our Li Manor, from ancient times, that you all visited before you told me about this whole adventure?"
Aerin nodded. "Yes, this is where they came before. Although, this mansion was in China last time." Aerin sighed. "Oh, but look at all of you, disguised like those demons out there. Come. I'll help you all get into something more appropriate while we wait for your friends. Oh, maids, could you please come here a minute?" Four women, all dressed as servants, entered the room from three different doors around the room. "Could you please all take our guests to their rooms and find them something suitable to wear?"
"With pleasure!" They all said, before each maid grabbed a guest and started to force them along.
"Uhhh, h-hey, we don't want to. err. be a bother." Sakura said.
"Oh, it's no trouble at all, Aerin said, before the maids had removed everyone from speaking distance from her.
Four doors slammed in a row, as the guests were brought into their rooms and changed. Upon them emerging, they were all clad in their old Chinese clothing from their first visit to China.
"Ah, this brings back memories." said Sakura, reminiscing about their previous trip. the food, the wedding. the dancing.
"Sakura, that was only a few days ago," Syaoran interrupted.
"Oh! Right! I guess it has just seemed like so long." She said with a laugh, trying to cover her embarrassment.
Meiling looked down at her clothes. "Hmmm? My old battle uniform from the Clow Card capturing days. Shaoran's mother always told me that the design came from our family, a long time ago. I didn't know it came from this time!"
"Actually, it was my mother's design," said Aerin, coming down the hall. "But we don't have much time to discuss that. Your friends are here, waiting for you in the dining hall. We'll be serving tea as we overhear what's going on. Well, come along now." She shooed them along the hall.
The doors to the large dining hall were flung open. It was the same room the wedding had been held mere days (or was it centuries?) before. However, the vast room, which was once covered in tables, guests, food, musicians, and everything else was most bare. Every step of Sakura's flat shoes echoed loudly throughout the room. In the very center of the room was a large, circular table with a light reddish-brown polish to it. Chairs were pulled out beside it, and some of Sakura's friends filled them. Eriol sat sipping his tea beside Kaho at the very end of the table. Mia was beside Kaho, still in her younger state, which made sitting and drinking on the somewhat short chairs a little difficult. Yue sat beside Eriol, on his other side, followed by Ruby Moon and Spinnel.
Sakura pulled out a chair across from Eriol and noticed the porcelain tea set in front of her. A maid came up and poured her a cup, and did the same for the others as they took their seats. At first, no one said anything. Sakura, Syaoran, Tomoyo, and Meiling just sat and watched Eriol, who rested his arms on the table, thinking to himself. He was still disguised as one of Koji's lackeys, but didn't seem to mind. He had too much on his mind. He slowly stood up and leaned over the table. ".I'm afraid I've gone over everything I've seen, and all I can say is the situation may be worse than I could have ever imagined."
There was silence once more.
Sakura pondered what he could have meant and finally built up the nerve to ask, "What is going on, exactly?"
Eriol pushed his glasses back up and calmly answered, "Koji is planning to tear this dimension into shreds."
Syaoran stood up, leaning over the table. "What did you just say? Can you do that? Is it possible?"
Eriol sat back down and sighed. "Unfortunately, not only is it possible, but we've already witnessed an effect. We're sitting in it right now."
Tomoyo looked around her. "You mean, my house has vanished because Koji wants to destroy this world?"
Eriol nodded. "Well, for the most part, that's true. The only thing wrong is that your house has not 'vanished.' It was merely relocated. As was the house we currently sit in."
"Relocated?" Mia asked. "What, so Tomoyo's house is in China right now?"
Eriol shook his head. "Not quite. You're close but. It's back in time. You see, I've noticed some odd effects in this world. Areas being swapped, people vanishing, and even personalities changing."
"Eh? You mean that's why all the people in this world are so weird?" asked Meiling in an annoyed tone.
Eriol nodded once more. "Precisely. According to my research, this world was meant to be different in that Sakura was NOT to be the Master of the Clow, but rather, Syaoran was. I did some deeper research and it appears, here, the Clow Book never came to Japan. It remained in the possession of the Li Clan for a long time. But then, Syaoran, much like Sakura, opened the book and lost the Cards. which were blown by a magic wind to Japan. That is where Sakura met Kero. The story plays out much like it already has, but the difference was Li had the Windy Card from the start. That made the entire set of cards the two owned completely different. This, of course, affected the Final Judgment. However, as you have seen with the Sakura, Syaoran, and others of this world, there are many differences within them. Sakura should not be a swords woman. Tomoyo should not know how to fight. Meiling should not be interested in cameras. These personality traits are being swapped as the world splits. They're almost like errors in a computer program."
Aerin stepped forward. "Excuse me, but, if I may ask, what is causing this split in the dimension?"
"Simple. Koji has mastered the art of not only being in three different places at once, but being in three different times," replied the boy.
"Hoeee? How would that change the dimension?" asked Sakura.
Eriol got up and started to pace impatiently. "It's extremely complicated, but I'll try to make it easier to understand. You see, Koji has used his powers to go into the past, present, and future of this world all at once. In each of these worlds, he changes something drastically. Thus, he alters, and basically severs, the timeline for each world into three separate pieces."
Tomoyo turned her head to Eriol and asked, "If you don't mind my asking, what will that accomplish? Isn't he after Clow Reed?"
Eriol nodded. "Indeed, he is. But, you see, I was no fool, when I was Clow Reed. Clow has sensed Koji's intent and has fortified his location under a seal. No one from any dimension can break through it from the outside. Thus, for Koji to get in. He must be. between dimensions. He must be non- existent in any world. This is why he is doing what he's doing. When the world splits into three separate worlds, he will be at the center of the tear in time and space, thus, not belonging in any world. He can then bring himself to Clow Reed's location."
There was a deafening silence in the room once more. Though the footstep of a mouse could be heard echoing in the huge room, not a single sound, not even a breath, could be heard.
The ground began to shake a little.
"What was that?" Asked Sakura.
Aerin shook her head. "It's. begun."
Syaoran stood up and grabbed his pedant around his neck. "WELL? What are we waiting for? We have to get him!" Eriol shook his head. "I'm sorry, but we can't do that yet. A world in a dimension is a huge place. It may take anywhere from a day to a week for the entire process to be completed. In the mean time, we can expect many 'glitches,' like this house being here. It would be best if we all stayed here to wait this out, lest we get separated and cannot find someone, or something appears that harms him or her."
Syaoran stared at Eriol. "What do you mean that these things will continue to happen?"
"In essence," explained Eriol, "He's tearing the entire universe apart. This requires tremendous force, and is not very accurate. Objects may be flung through time and space randomly, and one never knows what might occur. That is why we must stay here."
The ground shook once more. "What the hell was that?" Syaoran asked, making his way to the front door. He threw them open, and outside the gates, where houses once stood were now gigantic trees. "What. what in. Where did all the houses and stores go?!" He asked.
"This is what I told you." Eriol said, approaching. "The area has been swapped with a random moment in history. By the looks of it, about 30 million years ago."
Aerin stepped forward. "I can't sense the presence of any people there. Not even Koji's foot soldiers. That must mean they've also been switched."
Eriol grabbed Aerin and Sakura's hands and turned back and ran to the main hall again. "Mia, join hands with us. We don't have much time to lose. Sakura, get out the Shield and the Time."
Sakura reached for her bag, asking, "But what good will these do?"
Eriol didn't answer. "Daidouji, come here, and have out your necklace!" Tomoyo ran swiftly, though unsure of what she was to do. Her footsteps were too fast to allow it to fully echo. As soon as she reached Eriol he grabbed the necklace tightly in a fist and his hand glowed. He transferred his energy straight into the jewel. A great set of wings wrapped around her and she emerged as her angel form. "Take these cards, and form a protective shield for this house." Eriol grabbed the Time and Shield cards from Sakura and handed them to the girl. Tomoyo snapped her fingers and a staff appeared in her hands.
"Oh, Cards of unimaginable power," She lifted the Shield Card, "protect all that dwell in this house." she lifted the Time Card, "from the effects of time itself!"
A bright light exploded from Tomoyo's hands, causing everyone but her to close their eyes and cover their faces with their hands. When it cleared, a light yellow light could be seen overhead out the skylight.
Eriol stared at the light for a moment before taking a giant sigh. "That should keep us safe while we're here. Now we can't be teleported as long as we stay here."
Sakura just stared out the skylight. "I just hope everything goes all right.
A day passed, and it was night once more.
Sakura lay awake in her bed, staring up at the sky through her window. She sat up, curling her legs in, and rested her chin, thinking. "What's gonna happen to us.? Koji's ripping a dimension apart. And where are we going to go? How will we survive? Can we come back? .I'm scared."
The door crept open slightly. The candlelight trailed through the crack down onto the edge of her bed. The door opened a little more and a pair of brown eyes peered in. "Sakura, you're awake, too?"
The girl nodded, hugging her blanket. Syaoran came in and sat down on her bed, sighing deeply. Sakura shifted closer to Syaoran. "Are. you worried, too?" He nodded his head slowly. "I just can't stop thinking. how much the world is changing out there while we're stuck in here, waiting, all for the end to come for this world. It's been a day since the shield went up, and all we've been allowed to do is wait. I want to go out there and do something. but I can't. I'm scared."
Syaoran moved closer and put his arms on her shoulders, letting her lean on his. "I know what you mean. But. remember, when we catch Koji, everything will return to normal."
Sakura pulled herself out from under her covers and sat beside Syaoran on the edge of the bed. She stared down at her cute, bare feet. "But. what if we can't catch him? This world will never be the same. Everyone will be gone. Syaoran, you won't even be born. Neither will I. We can't fail. but what if we do?!"
They both sat silent momentarily. "Sakura," Syaoran began, "you've managed to capture and control all of the Clow Cards. you made them into Sakura Cards, too. Every time something has happened, you've stayed strong; you didn't give up, stood up, faced it, and won. You're going to do it again, too, because I believe you can." He moved his hand on top of hers. "And I'm going to be there with you, the whole time."
Sakura face reddened deeply. ".Thank you. I feel better. I don't know what will happen if we lose. but I know. we mustn't. we can't. we won't." She leaned her head on his shoulder and yawned. "I refuse to lose."
Syaoran smiled slightly as the girl on his shoulder closed her eyes. "I'm always going to be by your side, Sakura." He yawned as well. "One way or another." He started to slowly fall back onto the bed, Sakura still leaning on him, "I'm not going to lose you again. Ever."
The dawn came again.
Sakura sat back up, in her bed. She squinted her eyes, looking out the window from which the sun pored in. She realized she was still hanging over the edge of her bed, not under the covers, where she had fallen with Syaoran. But yet.. Her clothes didn't fit right. She felt somehow. different, too. She stood up to find her one-piece pajama dress went well below her feet. She walked over to a mirror and a child-like face stared back at her. "I'm back to my old self!" she exclaimed in excitement. "The spell wore off! I'm not 16 anymore!" She ran down the hallway, down to where most people ate their breakfast in the morning, throwing open the door. At a table, Tomoyo, Mia, and Meiling were eating, all their normal selves. She ran forward, exclaiming, "Wow! We're all back to norm-ah! HOEEE!"
Sakura's foot stepped on her excessively long gown and she began to fall. She closed her eyes, not daring to watch. But before she hit the ground, something, or somebody, broke her fall. She was turned over to have another pair of brown eyes staring back at her. "Are you all right, Sakura?" Syaoran asked. He was back in his old body as well. Both their cheeks reddened as they stared back into each other silent.
"Hee hee. I see our little doves are fine this morning." Said Mia, whispering to Tomoyo.
Tomoyo turned to Mia and giggled back. "Indeed, it is so lovely to see them together, even if they won't admit they're in love quite yet."
Syaoran set Sakura down, but didn't stop blushing. "Err. yes, I'm all right," answered Sakura finally. "it may be strange, but I guess I'm not used to my old body. Errr. well, it's my young body but uhhh. Hoeee. I'm confusing myself."
Syaoran nodded, but faced away from Sakura rigidly. "Errr. I know what you mean. Well. I was just on my way to the bath, so, maybe I should be."
Sakura turned and grabbed Syaoran's arm. "Well, actually, before you go." The boy stopped and turned around, somehow less embarrassed and more curious. Sakura stared at the ground, twiddling her fingers, trying to find the courage to say what must be said. "I just wanted to thank you for last night. I was pretty scared. but when you came, I felt a lot better. I was doubting myself until you told me not to."
Syaoran frowned a little. "I didn't do anything."
"That's not true!" Sakura shouted, somewhat shocked at the boy's reply. "You do so much for me! You're always there when I need a friend. You help me try even harder! Just your being there helps me feel better."
Syaoran moved in closer to Sakura, wrapping one arm around her shoulder. The bright morning light came out from behind a cloud and shimmered over them. "Sakura." Syaoran whispered. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you." He took a deep breath.
"You're not the only one who feels that way. I. I feel that way when I'm near you, too." He took a deep, trembling breath. "Sakura. what I mean to say is. I. I lo-"
SLAM!
A door swung open, causing a loud crash as Takumi came into the room, carrying a tray of breakfast foods sleepily. "Sorry it took so long for me to get everything ready," Takumi said. Sakura and Syaoran halted their movements, blushed, and walked away, excusing themselves.
"Damn." Mia exclaimed.
"And they were so close, too." Tomoyo said, depressingly.
Takumi stood over Tomoyo and Mia's table, blinking for a second. "Errr. did I do something wrong?"
Syaoran leaned his back up against the wall of the men's bath. He was half- submerged, just thinking about the situation. "When will I ever get my time to say how I feel?" He rolled over, resting on his arms on the edge of the bath. "Every time I try, something interrupts me. Every time! I can almost hear someone laughing at me. like it's some kind of joke." He sighed and dunked his head under.
Though, he didn't realize on the other side of the wall he rested by, Sakura was under the water herself in the women's bath. She rose to the surface and inhaled deeply. "Ah, so nice and warm." She moved up against the wall and sighed. "Though, now I wonder.. What did Syaoran want to tell me? His eyes. looked. so calm and sweet. but he looked scared. I hope something isn't bothering him." She stood up and grabbed her towel. "I'll go see him right away!"
Syaoran came up from underwater. "That's it! I can't wait around anymore. Who knows when Koji's power might tear this dimension apart? I'm going to tell Sakura how I feel and I'm going to do it right away!" He grabbed his towel and ran out of the room.
Sakura turned out of the bath down the hall, still drying her hair. Syaoran did the same, going the same way, though Sakura was just out of sight before he entered the hallways. They both walked down the halls back to the main entrance. On the way, they passed by the library where Aerin, Eriol, and Kaho studied a set of books. Yue and Ruby Moon sat by, watching, waiting. Tomoyo was practicing her singing with Mia listening in a small dance hall. Sakura noticed Meiling practicing her martial arts in the training room along with Takumi. Kero was gorging himself in the kitchen, much to the disgust of Spinnel. Seeing all her friends having fun like this made Sakura's face light up. "But I don't see Syaoran." she said.
Syaoran took the same path around the halls as Sakura, mumbling to himself. "I see Eriol, Kaho, Meiling, Kero. but where's Sakura?"
Sakura came, finally, to the main entrance. 'Hoeee. this place is so huge. My feet hurt from walking so much." She turned to a small chair in the corner and sat there to rest. "I have to find Syaoran, though!"
Little did she know, though, the boy was approaching the main entrance as well.
"No time to rest, I suppose." She stood up and headed back towards the same hallways she had just exited. "I'll make sure I didn't just pass him."
But as she walked to the hall, Syaoran emerged quickly and the two collided. Sakura fell to the ground. "HOE! I'm sorry, I didn't. Syaoran!"
The boy helped Sakura to her feet. "Sakura!"
"I've been looking for you!" The both exclaimed at once. "Eh? Me? Why me?" They then both asked in sync. "Well. err. I had something to tell you."
"Errr. you go first." Sakura said.
"No, no, you can go." Syaoran replied.
Eriol dropped his book and looked out the window. ".It's time."
"Well, it's just. you looked like something was bothering you, Syaoran. so.. I thought you might want to talk about it," Sakura explained.
Syaoran sighed. "Actually, something has been on my mind for a while. But every time I try to say it, I lose the courage, or something interrupts me."
Sakura placed her hands on her chest and looked Syaoran in the eyes with a look of concern. "Syaoran, you know you can tell me anything."
"Well, Sakura." he started. "It's about my feelings. I've. felt this way for so long. But I'm going to just say it. Sakura. I think I-"
The front door was suddenly thrown open violently, with a tremendous force pulling everything inside towards it. Candles, chairs, anything not nailed down was pulled closer to the vacuum. Everything went dark. Eriol ran into the room, followed closely by Spinnel, Kero, Yue, and Ruby Moon. "The time is now!" Eriol Exclaimed. "The dimension is splitting, and this shield cannot hold us for long. Any minute, part of this house could cave in on us. We must move! Everyone out of here, quickly! We will escape into the rip in the dimension. The worst outside is over. Quickly!" A fleet of people came running by, Takumi leading the servants and others of the house outside.
Tomoyo, Mia, Kaho, Aerin, and the others ran by as well. Eriol himself grabbed Kaho's hand and raced outside as well.
"Sakura-chan! Li-kun! Hurry, please!" Tomoyo yelled to the pair as Mia and the others helped her out.
Sakura started to make for the door when Syaoran grabbed her by the hand. "Syaoran, what are you doing? We have to go!"
Syaoran shook his head. "I can't be interrupted! Sakura, just promise me one thing! Where you go. Whatever you do. Let me be with you!"
A tear rolled down Sakura's cheek and she hugged him tight. "Of course, Syaoran."
The void grew stronger and together, hand in hand, they ran through the door into the darkness.
To be continued.