Kero: Yay! We're back! Did you love the story so far? Yeah me too! I hate---
Kaminari: ---hey you fluff ball! Listen up! *Pointing to kero* If you want to stay here with me, you should give some respect to the kawaii writer… and that's me! The cool and kirei Kaminari-chan!!! AHOHOHOHO!
Kero: my God, she's gone crazy! *Looking at the posing kaminari*
Kaminari: well anyway, sorry again for the delay coz I have this illness that keeps on bugging me lately…and that's finding a book named 'daddy long-legs' by Jean Webster. Would you imagine, the entire bookstore in our island (I really mean it! I tried calling all the bookstores in our land mass and asking if they have any stocks!) Doesn't have this kind of book? So if you have that book, PLEEEEEEAAAAAASSSSSSEEE scan it and e-mail it to me so I can read it! Ok? = )
Kero: please do it, she keeps on dialing some numbers and asking for that dumb book! That I can't even use the phone to call Suppi!
Kaminari: and also…my computer really sucks! You see, I can't save the story coz the computer keep on telling me that 'would you want to save it as a rescued document?' that really SUCKS! And when I try to check some grammatical errors, it keeps showing the 'there is not enough memory or disk space to complete the operation'. Oh well! What can I do, I'm a computer wizard not a computer technician! GGRRRRrrrrr!
Kero: hey stop blabbing and just go on with the story!
Kaminari: and I almost gave up, coz the chapter one of my other fanfic just disappeared like bubble! And I can't help but think about how to get revenge in this baka computer!
Kero: I said SSSTTTTTTTTTOOOOOOOPPPPPP IIIIIIIIIIIT!
Kaminari: okay, okay! I will now let you know what happens next, but before that, I want to thank the following that reviewed my chapter one, it's few though.
Sakura- Gomen nasai for not thanking you in the last chapter coz I forgot to check on again on the review part before I upload it! But this one's for you! Hope you'll like this!
And to:
Glarie , Angel and Seashell - I thank you all for reviewing my story! *hugs* hope you all enjoy reading this till the last chapter! Ok? *Mwahhh*
Sakura Lover - Yay! I love your reviews! It's so Looooooooooooong! just what I love! thanx again! I think I'll give you thousands of hugs and kisses! (not the chocolate one) *MMMMMMWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!* hope you'll enjoy this 'till the end!
Kaminari: and for all those people who really like my work, I'm hoping that you'll review this one but NO FLAMES please! Like I always say, I'm a very sensitive person so just… you know… And always remember, I DON"T OWN CCS, but I wish I am! *Joke* so don't sue me coz I don't have any money. Okay? So here's the timeline, the gang was seventeen and eighteens and there's a hope card but Syaoran haven't tell yet Sakura how he feels! Ok? Here's the legend
"speaking"
'thinking'
flashback
*** - new scene
by : K a m I n a r I - c h a n
Chapter 2 : Too Many Rivals?
The auburn-haired girl gently sways her arms as the afternoon wind lightly touched her colored cheeks. "Hanyaan… at last! Saturday class has finally ended!!!" she yells as her friends smiling at the scene. (Kami-chan: Japanese schools have Saturday class but the time isn't as long as the regular class, ok? ^__^ )
"About Saturday---"
"---Ne, Sakura-chan, I haven't seen Li in our class today. What happened to him? Is he sick or something?" the girl with braided-pigtails asks while grabbing the mouth of the storyteller.
"Um…Ano…"
Sakura didn't know what and how to answer the question. Even her, honestly don't know what's the real problem. It seems that the amber-eyed guy hides something from her and she didn't want that. It's been a week now since Kero, her guardian beast, told them about the power of Mamoru…but the information isn't enough to defeat that guy. Kero just said to them that Mamoru's source of power was the fears of the people and that he's here to take revenge from what his best friend had done to him… and that's all… Her guardian told her that some of his memories were still lock up.
"Earth to Sakura? Earth to Sakura?"
"Hoe? Oh yes, umm… Syaoran headed for Hong Kong last night for some family gathering. Yeah, that's it. Hahahaha! " Waving her hands to her astounded friends.
The brown-haired girl prearranged her eyeglasses while looking at the laughing emerald-eyed beauty. "So you're all alone now, huh?"
Sakura nodded her head, "Hai! Demo, he'll be back today because it's our first day in our job-project." Beaming a fake smile.
"Hey, Sakura! Wanna go to and eat some lunch at our house?" a finesse lass asks while beaming a coy smile, "I baked some pastries earlier that's why we---me, Chiharu, Naoko and Yamazaki---decided to have a group study for the Math exam on Monday. Wanna come?"
"Gomen nasai, but I need to go home early." Bowing her head to her friends, "I have to set all we need for our new job and I bet that Syaoran will be there soon with a grumbling stomach!" beaming a huge grin on her face, "So, I'll have to go now. Maybe some other time, ok? Ja ne!" she said as she runs and waves her hand to the stunned people.
"She sure smiles a lot now, ne? Chiharu-chan." The ghost-story-lover said while looking at the fading image of cherry blossom.
"Yeah, I observe that. I'm just glad that Li-kun takes really good care of her." Clapping her hands in agreement.
"Love…" Rika whispered softly.
"What did you say?" Both girls turned their head to the speaker while the guy just sweat dropped.
Blushing intensely, "I said, they both love each other but they don't know each others feelings. And it's been a year since Sakura came back to her old, genki self because of her little wolf. Oh so romantic yet tragic!"
"Yeah!" the girls said in unison with a displease sigh.
"Speaking of Love---"
"---Stop that!" the girl yelled while trying to deform that face of the poor guy.
***
The emerald-eyed beauty skated her way to the busy street while trying to appreciate beautiful things around her until a heart-piercing wail was heard. She tries to find the source and was shocked at the scene before her.
"'Ka-chan!" a three-year-old girl cried on top of a burning building to the growing crowd below her, while the lady in her twenties, which Sakura believed to be the mother, cry for the little girl's dear life.
"Onegai! Save my daughter!" the mother yelled as she collared the man beside her.
"This is not good!" Sakura said in worried, 'I can't use my power because of the thickness of this crowd' She thought. She does not have a choice but to do what her instinct had said to her. 'Please be safe' the mistress whispered as she changes her roller blades to her sneakers.
As soon as Sakura had changed her footwear, she started to run through the back door of the building so that no one could see her or stop her from helping the child. Little did she know that a guy was watching her from behind.
***
"Now, now, my cherry blossom. What'll you do? Risk your life in exchange with that weakling kid. Come on, I know you can do better than that! Wait, we should do some dramatic scene here." A shadowy figure whispered in the air.
***
Sakura run to the stairs as fast as she could until she felt her lungs burning, gasping for air, 'Two more floors to go!' she thought while she tried to avoid the falling debris with fire in the building. She stopped as she felt a powerful aura behind her.
Someone was watching her
Then as if the creature found out that the mistress has noticed him, he tried to block his aura. Sakura continue to run when she didn't felt the aura anymore. At last! She reached the rooftop where she can see the chocking girl at the same time crying for help.
"Tasukete! (Help!)" The girl said while rubbing its eyes.
"Don't worry, I'm already here. Oneesan will help you." Sakura said as she tried to walk her way to the girl, still avoiding the burning pieces of wood along the way.
Unfortunately, the girl slipped her feet and yell for her life as she falls down from the building rapidly. Shriek from the crowd was heard.
The emerald-eyed girl has no choice but to follow the child as she jump her way and tried to reach the falling kid. Luckily, she did reach the wailing child as she tried to hug it and whisper some soothing words. 'Kami-help us! Let this child be safe.' She prayed, closing her eyes and bowing her head, trying to protect the little form in her arms as she felt the fast falling of their bodies to the waiting solid ground. As if by magic, the auburn-head girl felt somebody was hugging her, it's not the child but somebody, a man, protectively hugging her.
"Have you gone crazy!" the anonymous guy whispered to her ear as blush crept on her face.
Before she could say 'gomen' she felt that her feet touched the ground safely. People leave the scene as the fire fighters started to do their job. The hysterical mother run for her daughter as it thanked the card captor over and over again. Then Sakura became aware as she saw the reporters ready to interview her. Scanning her surrounding she somewhat felt an aura nearby which she had already encountered not so long ago. She quickly run, trying to follow the source of the aura before any reporters shoot her questions.
"Sumimasen, who are you?" Sakura asked the ginger-head man walking its way to the narrow street in the corner.
The man stop his tracks as he recognized the aura, he turned his body facing her with a sly grin. "So, it's you again. What do you want?" the handsome guy said as we see his garnet eyes fixed at the emerald ones.
"I-I just want to thank you, for saving my life and also the child's life." The sorceress said as she bowed down earnestly. She became alarmed as she heard steps walking away from her. "Chotto matte kudasai! (Please wait a minute) May I know your name?" she said calmly while looking at the guy's back.
The ginger-head guy just waved his hand and continues to walk, "We'll be seeing each other again, and so what's the purpose of introducing myself to you? And maybe then, we can talk more, more than you expected!" as the guy totally vanished from the mistress' sight.
"Doyo imi desu ka." (What does that mean?) She whispered hoping that the wind will send her question to the guy.
***
Somewhere in the dark alley, a loud laugh was heard, "Being friendly aren't we?" he said as his bloody eyes started to narrow, "Just continue that…HAHAHAHA!"
***
"Tadaima!" Sakura said while closing the door behind her and head her way to the kitchen.
"Okaeri!" a little voice was heard in the living room. "Anyway, Sakura…" the yellow creature said while flying to his mistress, "…a package was delivered earlier. It's from… let see…" grabbing the brown bag in the kitchen counter, "…from Cream Puff Dairy Shop, say… is this the well known refreshments parlor and has the most oishii ice cream here in Tomoeda?" the guardian said while trying to open the bag.
"Hai! That's the place where me and Syaoran will be working on." The mistress said while grabbing a pudding in the refrigerator, "Wanna have some pudding?" she said to the busy guardian whose trying to unwrap the parcel.
"Yay! Pudding, pudding, PUDDING!" Kero said while throwing the package away.
"Hey! Be careful with the package!" but she was too late. The bag landed on the floor. "I said be careful." Snatching the brown parcel on the floor. "Ne, Kero. Syaoran wa doko ni imasu ka?" (Where's Syaoran?)
Guzzling up the pudding, "Gaki wa heya ni imasu." (The gaki is in his room) he said while he gobbles up more pudding.
"Oh, I think I should make something for him." placing down the bag in the counter while putting a pink apron on herself. "I think he's really tired now" she said while getting the ingredients in the ref. "Kero I'm going to make an oden, wanna help?"
"Iie, you know that eating pudding is really tiring" rubbing its eyes while flying toward his mistress room. "I'll take a nap, so just wake me up if the food is ready, ok? And DON'T start without me!" giving a cute glare to his mistress.
Sakura can't help but giggle at her guardian's attitude, "Such a glutton guardian!" while cutting the radish gently.
***
"All you have to do is to conquer your fears…"
"Muquin, what do you mean by that…" the young warrior said in oblivion. He really doesn't understand anything about what his mother had said to him. He decided to go back to Hong Kong to get some scrolls that may help him and Sakura to defeat Mamoru. But the searching turned out to be a lecturing of a mother to her son.
"Xiao Lang, have you completed your mission?" the lady with jet-black hair said in austerity.
"Iie, I haven't done it yet." Syaoran said while taking his seat in front of his mother. He didn't want this; he didn't want to talk about his mission. He feels that his mission will be the sign that he'll need to leave the certain jade-eyed lady whom he dearly loves.
"Then why did you come back? Have you decided to give up?"
"That's not it!" he yelled towards his mother. He knows that it's not good for him to go back without finishing the given duty. 'But what can I do?' he questioned his self, "I just come here to get some things that can help me finished this m…whole thing." The Li-clan warrior said with firmness. It hurts him more every time the word 'mission' takes place on their conversation.
"Is that so?" Yelan said with a confused look in her eyes that the young warrior gets a glimpse of the mystified amber. "I never thought that you needed some scriptures to accomplish a simple problem." She said in awe while grinning.
Clow's descendant didn't exactly like the situation. First, he was shock to see his mother smiling and second, it irritates him to see that the woman doesn't take Mamoru's assault seriously. He clenches his fists while trying to construct some words to counteract his mother. "I'm serious, Mother. So stop beaming because it doesn't give any help."
Yelan patted her son's shoulder with sympathy while giving her motherly smile, "I know that, my son. But it's just I can't believe that you needed anything to do your mission. You have the answer, your strong… all you have to do is to overcome your fears and everything will follow." Releasing her grip while raising her index finger, "And remember, even though the elders didn't give you the limit in your task, you should do it fast and come back here with your mission, accomplished. And also, to prove that you're worthy, you should bring us the hand." Exiting the room while the warrior left contemplating.
'I know that Mamoru lives by sucking people's fear, but why did she say that kind of thing? It's obvious that in defeating Mamoru, all I have to do is to hide my fear or totally vanished it, but… why did the elders let Mamoru live in the first place?' feeling his head tightening.
He really doesn't know why the elders let him have that kind of mission. Why did they let the evil lurks? He feels that the clan was unjust to free the evil one to be his training course… to let them know that he deserves to be the leader.
"Syaoran?" a soft voice entered his ears as he let the image of the card mistress takes over his whole attention. The chestnut-haired guy was struck as he realized that Sakura dressed differently.
"What's with the outfit?" he said while looking at the beaming cherry blossom that's wearing a light pink long sleeves blouse and a white mini skirt with light turquoise apron.
Getting something at her back and putting it on top of her head, "It's my uniform, see?" pointing at the left side of her sleeve where the logo was located while sitting at the vacant chair in the room.
"But don't you think it's a bit short and revealing?" the warrior said while pointing the mistress skirt.
"Hoe?" she said in confusion while looking at her lap, "I don't think so, it's a bit longer than my cheering uniform, ne? And this ice cream cap's really kawaii!" still staring at the ground while blushing fiercely. Then something pops out in her thoughts, "Ne, Syaoran. How's your trip? Did they ask you about your mission? What are these scrolls doing in your room?" looking at the amber pools while clenching her fists in her lap. Even though she didn't want to open the conversation, she goes for it because it's the only way to see her warrior and feel again his aura near her.
The warrior became a bit serious and looked at the scroll in his hands. "Hai, they asked my situation here in Japan.", 'As for me, seeing your smile makes my worries go away like a tornado' he thought while smiling at the bemused mistress. "Sakura?"
"H-Hai?" the auburn-haired girl said while looking at the serious warrior in front of her.
"Do you want to know why did I go to Hong Kong?"
"…"
He smiled at the silent lady before him, 'Just what I've thought! Don't worry my angel, it's your right to know why.' "I've found this just before you came into my room." giving a particular scroll with a black ribbon in it.
Sakura became wide-eyed as she read the scriptures before of her, "S-Syaoran…"
The warrior smiles at the shock mistress. He loves the way Sakura cares for him. He knows that the mistress was worried about his decisions, but what can he do? He's head over heels for her. 'I'm sure crazy to do anything for you, my Ying Fa.' he said in his thoughts. He knows that this is his mission… but it's not just a duty, it involves the one he loves and no one can ever stop him to do something---even foolish---just to let her be safe. His conversation with the guardian beast last week kept bugging him.
"He needs Sakura and not you!" the guardian said while gritting its teeth, "I don't really like this whole idea, but… that's the truth." Kero said one evening while looking remorsefully at the sleeping mistress beside the young wolf. "I feel guilty of not telling Sakura the whole story about Mamoru, I-it's just that I'm really worried for her. It's for the best."
The young teen warrior brushed the misplaced locks on the mistress cheek, "But why? I know that the elders planned for this… I mean… they know that Mamoru will be out of his prison and start to prowl, but what I don't understand is why must include Sakura in this whole thing? I mean, it's my mission… I need to defeat Mamoru so I can be the Li-clan leader but…Arrghh!" giving up while resting his head on his hands.
The lion stares at the distress warrior, "Don't worry, I don't really know how can you defeat Mamoru but I remember that Master Clow Reed tells me that Mamoru's weakness is his own strength or source of strength… something like that." Then he walk towards the cabinet and used his power to lift the Sakura Book, "We both know that Sakura is the most powerful sorceress in the whole world, and that's what the guy wants, her powers. But I'm afraid… that even her cards is not enough to defeat Mamoru."
"Who said that I'd let Sakura fight that guy?" Syaoran said while glaring at the yellow lion in front of him. "Whether it's my mission or not, I should be the one to defeat this bastard. Sakura isn't ready to fight because of her situation. And letting her go for this is like forcing her to meet her de-death. If only I have something that can help me totally defeat this monster I---"
"---Of course you have!" the guardian beast said while his golden eyes widen. "Your clan has kept all of Master Clow's belongings…maybe you can find a scripture or letter from Master Clow about Mamoru."
"But I can't go back to Hong Kong." The young wolf sighed in defeat.
"Doushite?"
"If I go back now, the Elder won't let me come here again or even worse they'll think that I give up the challenge." looking at the sleeping seraph before him.
"Baka! Do you think that your pride will help Sakura? Think again. It's your clan's fault to give you a surprise mission that's really dangerous, so maybe they'll let you have some sources to do it." gnashing its paws to the carpet.
"Maybe you're right but… I can't leave Sakura all alone here even for one day… now that we both know that she's the real target of that monster."
"Hey! What do you think of me?" the lion said offended, "I'm her guardian and I can manage to take care of her until you come back! And maybe, I can call Yue for added protection."
The chestnut-haired guy grinned at the protective display of the guardian, "You don't have to call Yue for now, he also need space because of Touya's death… and I know you can…" he said while looking again at the beautiful flower, "…because stuff animals don't have fears 'coz they're made of cotton!" he said trying to lighten up the situation.
"Oh Yeah!" Kero said while leaping in the bed where the warrior and the sleeping mistress were.
Their conversation ended with a mistress popping her veins and two sweat dropping guys.
"Syaoran?" a timid voice broke his trance.
"Aa? What is it, Sakura?" Syaoran said as his amber pools find its way to the emerald ones of the card mistress.
"How can we beat Mamoru? I really don't understand what's written in here. Too many deep words." The jade-eyed girl said shyly as she give back the scroll to the young wolf.
"Do you want me to read this to you?" Syaoran said as he stared at the serious flower in front of him.
"Hai."
"Okay…" he sighed as he started to read, "This is one of the entries of Clow Reed in his diary…"
I know I mustn't give you---whoever will read this---this kind of information. But last night I had a vision… it's about the destruction of the world… destructed by my best friend whom I lock-up in the mirror, it was Mamoru.
Mamoru is the guardian of the portal that's connected to the 'other world'. The 'protector', that's the meaning of his name, but as time passed by he became cold, his once crimson eyes turned bloodier than before. He started to free the humans from the 'other side' to our world. And because of that, I jailed him in a mirror and buried it in the core of the earth.
I imprisoned him not because I still care for him as a friend; maybe half of my reason is that. But I lock him because I can't defeat him. His powers grew stronger than mine because he sucks human's negative thoughts, especially their fears. And that became his resources.
So if anyone of you has read this entry, especially my descendant and the card mistress, please… do your best. Don't let the world be destroyed. The fate of the world is in your hands. And because he was freed from his prison, he can't be locked-up again. He's more powerful, now that people easily loose their hopes. You need to completely destroy him at once. And to do that… you should let him realize his own mistakes. Use the most powerful magic in the universe… but I'm sorry to say, that even me, don't have that power… I never had it in the first place.
"---in the first place." The warrior ended as he rolled the paper and placed it beside him. "That's strange? How come Clow Reed knows that we're going to read this entry?"
"Remember? His visions?" Raising her index as the young warrior nods his head. "But, what does he mean by 'another world' or 'other side'?" the mistress said while finding some answers in the amber pools of the warrior.
Because of this, Syaoran can't help but turned his glowing head away from the mistress of the cards, "I don't really understand either… maybe you should ask the cotton ball about this." Returning his gaze after realizing that he wasn't blushing anymore.
"Okay, I'll call Kero." She said smiling while exiting the room. "Oh, and one more thing…" peeping her head in the door, "Maybe we should discuss this in the dining area while we eat, 'coz as we all know, Kero's mind won't work if there's no food around!"
"Animated stomach!" smirked the little wolf.
"I agree with you!" the jade-eyed girl said while running her way to the sleeping beast.
***
"Hhmm… another world?" the yellow creature said while scratching its chin. "Let's see… I think I remember something about the 'ideal world'." Flying his way to his mistress shoulder, "It's like this world has a twin." Emphasizing the word 'twin' by raising his both middle fingers and joining them together, "I mean all of the things, living or non-living; have a twin in that another world. But just like twins, they exactly looked alike but have their own characteristics… do you get what I mean?" he said while looking at his mistress.
"I think so…" Sakura blurted in a soft tone.
Ding! Dong!
"I'll get it!" Syaoran said while jumping out from the couch and run his way to the door. "Oh, 'twas you." he said grumpily as he let the guy entered the house.
"Yukito-san!" a cheery voice was heard as the mistress of the cards hugged her childhood crush and her guardian at the same time.
"It's been a while, ne?" the gray-haired man said as he returned the hug to the genki mistress.
A yellow lion appeared from the living room, "So, what brings you here? I thought you were in Naha with your grandparents?"
"I've seen the news last week and I thought that it's no ordinary accident." His voice becoming serious, "That's why I hurriedly pack my things so I can be here as soon as possible. I really am worried about Sakura."
Sakura was touched at what her childhood crush had said to her. She silently thanked Kami-sama for giving her wonderful friends that's ready to help her. "Arigatou, Yukito-san." She said while giving out her genuine smile.
Seeing the situation, Syaoran can't help but get jealous so he coughed a few times to get their attention, "Mind as well make some tea. I'll be back in a sec." The warrior said as he goes his way to the kitchen.
Sakura was surprised at the sudden behavior of the warrior but she tried to shrug it off in her head, 'Maybe, he's just tired from the trip.' Looking at the talking guardians beside her, "Oh, where are my manners? Yukito-san, let's go to the living room and we'll discuss all about this catastrophe."
***
"So, you're telling me that all these odd things that's happening in Tomoeda was only done by one powerful person?" Yue said while crossing his arms over his chest, "And that guy was the old friend of Master Clow?" Receiving nods from the three beings in front of him.
"And he's here to take revenge, but we don't know to whom he'll do it 'coz as we all know, Clow Reed died hundred of years ago." The card mistress said to her moon guardian. "But my hunch is… he'll attack S-Syaoran…" she said somewhat hurt. "… 'Coz he's the direct descendant of Clow Reed."
"And if we don't stop him…" an Osaka dialect interrupt, "…he'll destroy our world so there can be only one world, and that's the 'ideal world'."
Looking at the confused guardian, Syaoran tried to explain, "What the fluff ball's telling is that this world have a twin."
"Hey! Looked at me! I'm on my true form I ca---"
"---A twin?" the icy silver-eyed guy said in deeper confusion as the telephone rings.
"Wait for me here ok?" Sakura said as she goes to the kitchen counter where the source of noise came from.
As the emerald-eyed teen exited the living room, the icy silver pools started to dim, "I think you know who's the target of this mad man."
The warrior gave a loud sigh, "Yeah, it's Sakura. Since Sakura's the new master of the Clow Cards, Mamoru wants her power by taking her life force or by playing on her feelings so he can control her whole being." Looking at the floor intently, "And there's no way we should let Sakura get near that guy or even let her realized that she's the target. She might do unwise things that might k-kill her in the end… I don't want to loose her."
"We know that. But sooner or later, Sakura will know these things and because of her emotional situation, she might let Mamoru get her powers… we all know that Sakura will do anything for the good of others---"
"---Hey guys! Eriol's on the other line!" the auburn-haired girl said as she gently sits beside the now growling warrior, "He said he want to talk to us all so I bring the speaker phone here." placing the black phone on the table. "So, shoot!"
"Hey there fellows! Especially to my cute descendant and to my cherry blossom!" a teasing voice was heard at the speaker.
Syaoran didn't want this, it seems that all his rivals were here to make an impression to his Sakura. "So, what do you want?" he said angrily but stopped as he heard his angel talk.
"Eriol, what do you mean by the 'other world'?" the jade eyes lady asks in confusion.
Then a loud sigh was heard, "So… it's really Mamoru huh?"
"We all know that, so just answer her question!" the little wolf snarled obviously irritated at the guy on the other line.
"Hey, calm down my cute descendant!" then a chuckle was heard, "The other world, as you call it is the…. other world… get that?"
Cold wind blew from the window
Two winged beings have both dotted eyes
Mistress in sweat-drops
Veins throbbing on the warrior's head
A low laugh was heard
"STOP THAT!!!" the four yelled at the speaker.
"Okay, okay! I just want to make you all smile." the voice said as it started to be serious, "Okay, here's an example. When you flip a coin, there are two possibilities of its outcome…"
"It can be head or tail." The winged lion said while resting its head on the floor.
"Exactly, but that's the mistake of the people… even though the head was shown, there can still be a tail and vice versa… it means that the surface in the head and the surface in the tail are both real. Just like the other world."
"So you're saying that there's another me in that world, ne?" Sakura said confused as ever.
"Yep! You got the point! But the another Sakura may be a murderer or the villain in that world… it's the opposite of you."
"Okay, okay, we now get that. But why did he want to destroy our world? I mean, hey, it's also his world?" The warrior said sarcastically.
"I don't really remember the story 'coz I'm only half of Clow Reed…" The voice said while somewhat regretting what he had said, "…Mamoru became angry at the people in this world because they did some brutal stuffs…and that's the beginning of Mamoru's change of principle… that's why he want to take the revenge to the people especially to my past life which was Clow Reed, his best buddy."
"Umm, another question..." Syaoran said in a serious tone, "... does Mamoru have his powers in his hands? I mean, literally, what's in his hands 'coz I feel that there lies his great power."
"How come you can say that, Syaoran? We haven't met yet Mamoru, ne?" Sakura said in confusion.
Seeing this, Syaoran's face painted fourteen shades of red. "Err, a.. umm.. okay," sighing while looking at his hands, he really can't resists the mistress eyes, "...the Clan wants his hands."
"Eh? For what---"
"---Ah, the hands!" Eriol said in louder tone, "Well, Mamoru have these bracelets... it's where his life force coming from. If you break these things, your problem will be solved." Saying proudly while grinning, even though the listeners couldn't see it, "But... sad to say, it's invisible even in the great magician's eyes. It can only be seen when the user's already dead."
Everybody went animé fall. Then a small grin appeared on the lion's face, "But before Mamoru starts to destroy our world, let's go to the other world and find the other gaki, maybe that gaki there is not gaki anymore."
"Kero! Apologize to Syaoran now!" his mistress said while glaring at him, "And if you don't… no more Zylon warriors for you!" the green eyes lass crossly said to her guardian as if it's all decided.
"Oh my God! Don't do that Sakura, you know that it's my only l---"
"---Then do it!"
"It's okay." A stern voice broke the two parties. The mistress and the lion guardian both turned their heads on the speaker. They don't believe at what they've heard, they both know that the warrior loves to tease the sun guardian. "So, Hiiragizawa. Do you know how we can defeat this mad guy?"
For the briefest moment Sakura thought she had seen something parallel to hopelessness, fret, exhaustion and… fear? in his amber pools, but it vanished as soon as its face become coolly again. A long silence was heard on the other line. Then a solemn 'no' filled their hopeful hearts as it started to shatter.
"But Clow Reed said in his entry that there's this one most powerful magic in the universe that can defeat Mamoru, but sadly… he didn't know either." The card mistress said as she banged her head on the table. "But it seems that he's just hiding it… I mean he knows the answer but he just don't want to tell us. If only I have it then I'll kill Mamoru myself." She somberly said as she clenched her fists.
"That's my Master! Old, selfish sorcerer!" the lion said while giving out a loud laugh.
The angel-like man fired a glare, "Yeah, he's right! But maybe he just don't want us to be in danger that's why--"
"---Hey! We're all in danger now, especially Syaoran!" the emerald-eyed beauty butts in, feeling her heart pounding faster than everyone else in the room. "If only I can switch the situation, then I'll let my life be in line with danger and then maybe everything will be okay and safe and---"
"---Stop that!" the warrior said feeling guilty that the mistress doesn't know the whole condition. 'That's the last thing I want to happen but it was done now… if you only knew, you're the one that Mamoru wants.' Trying to calm down his self, "Don't be so stupid, Sakura." The Li-clan warrior sighs fearfully. "Your powers aren't enough to destroy this creature… you're too weak." He suddenly blinked, his brain catching up with his words, his face beginning to register shock, regretting every word he had just said. 'Oh, no...'
"So, you see me as a wimp…is that right?" the card mistress said, leaving an emotionless face.
"That's not it, Sakura. All I want to say is---"
"---Gomen nasai!" bowing her head to the panicking warrior. "It's quarter to four…I need to go now to my job, you can talk to Eriol a little longer, S…Li! Goodbye Eriol… and oh, Kero, your dinner is in the fridge, just heat it up in the microwave if you got hungry. Ja ne!" smiling to her friend as she faced her back to them and run towards her room.
Syaoran closed his eyes tight, "Sakura…" he didn't expect this, he know that it's his fault; he didn't choose his words wisely and now, the object of his affection slipped away from him, "I r-really did blew it up…" he said solemnly as he bowed down, figuring that the only thing that's interesting for now were his hands.
Then a paw patted Syaoran's shoulder, "Don't you worry, Li. Sakura just cares for you deeply that's why she can said those kinds of things…" Giving a reassuring smile to the warrior, "… and besides, we all know that's Sakura's too generous that she'll risk her life to yours."
"Maybe you should apologize to her." The voice on the phone said, "So… I need to hang up now; if you have other questions… just call me okay? And by the way, I know that my cute little descendant… doesn't loose hope; I know that you love Sakura more than everyone can ever think of… so just fight for it okay? I wish you all the luck, Li… bye!" then a loud click was heard followed by a busy dial tone. The guy in white robe stood up and pushes the 'speaker off' button in the phone.
"Arigatou, Hiiragizawa." Syaoran said as he head his way to the distress mistress.
***
You're too weak…
"Gomen, Syaoran." The emerald-eyed beauty said regretfully while tears run down from her eyes.
If only I'm powerful enough, then I can help you …
If only I know how to defeat Mamoru, then…
If you only knew how important you are…
If only…
If…
"Sakura?" a gentle voice broke her thoughts. "May I come in?"
"H-Hai! The door's open…" the jade-eyed girl said somberly.
Then the click of the doorknob was heard as the door gently open revealing the culpable little wolf. The warrior's heart tightened a bit as he saw the trace of fresh tears from his angel's emerald orbs. He couldn't believe how the finest cut of emeralds has a dim shade in it now.
The young wolf deeply sighs, "Sakura…listen to me." he said looking at the carpet while biting the inside of his cheek, "I'm really, truly very sorry… it's just that… I'm very worried about you…" taking deep breath, wishing not to choke, "I care too much to get you hurt."
The mistress became wide-eyed. Did she hear it right? The Li-clan warrior cares for her sincerely. To her it would be Nirvana to know that her secret love was concerned for her. But… she doesn't understand, Syaoran admitted to her that he loves someone. And now he tells her that he cares for her? Maybe she should just be contented of what she is… and that's being the best friend of Li Syaoran.
"I'm very sorry for what I've acted at the lounge… it's just that, I feel so bad, so g-guilty because all of you have shares in this problem. You're so kind and generous, Syaoran, while I'm a freaking little cry baby." Not intending to look at the warrior's ocher orbs.
The young wolf smile inwardly, 'That's what I love about you, my Ying Fa. If you only knew…', kneeling in front of the depress girl. "Look at me, Sakura…" holding Sakura's chin while he gently waits for Sakura to freely look in his eyes. Emerald melting in Amber, "…don't ever think that you're a bother here… I mean, hey, you're the card mistress, the most powerful sorceress of all time." Beaming his rare smile, "I'm sorry if I let you felt that you're in no level with me… it's just… I don't want you to risk anything that's yours… especially your life."
The jade eyes lady smiled at the behavior of the young warrior. She never expected Li Syaoran, the predictable leader of Li-clan who owns the fiercest yet loveliest ocher eyes in the whole world, to be this e-expressive?
"What are you smiling about?" the young chestnut-haired warrior said breaking her thoughts.
"Nan demo nai…" giving out her million-dollar smile, "…it's just that… how come your mystery girl can't see how caring you are?"
"Don't start with me, I'm not telling you, still. My mouth is sealed in that topic!" waving his hand to the beaming mistress.
"Awww, come on! Here's hoping if I could just know where she study." Pouting her lips while playing with her index fingers like a child.
Syaoran sighs deeply, "She's my classmate."
"Really? Is she a close friend of mine?" the now jumping mistress asks as if a child won a lollipop.
"Yup! She is and that's the last question. Topic closed!" crossing his arms in his chest, "And get ready 'coz it's almost time for our work."
Emerald orbs started to widen, "Hoe?!? I forgot everything about it!" grabbing all the things she need.
The ocher eyes guy smiled at the display, 'She surely doesn't change all these years!' then he heard a gentle 'Arigatou' before he left the room.
***
"Arigatou gozaimashita!" a cheery voice address the couple exiting the glass door.
A man in his thirties gently rubs his new shaven chin, walking his way while looking at the copper-haired lady with interest. "So, Miss Kinomoto…" the man greeted the lady with a sly grin. "…Are you enjoying your work here?" he said while letting his hands silently wander its way to the mistress' shoulder.
Seeing this obvious flaunt, the Li-clan warrior irately glares at the pervert man. 'One wrong move and you are a dead pervert old man'. Using his chi, the man receives goose bumps as if he heard what's the warrior had said to him while turning its head to the fuming wolf. Considering the ever-famous glare of the Li-clan warrior, the old man, without thinking twice, snapped its raging hormones from doing anything.
Then the young wolf walks its way to the two beings. "Hey, Mr. Suzuki!" calling the old man while patting his hands to its shoulder. "Our manager wants to talk to you. He said that there's a leak in the comfort room " smiling yet obviously giving its death glare to the man. "And oh, by the way, Mei Mei. (Little sister) I told you to clean up the mess in table eight?" he said while evidently pulling Sakura away from the pervert man.
"Syaoran, what was that?" Sakura said in confusion.
Realizing that the man has already left, Syaoran deeply inhale, "Stay away from him, understood?" he said sternly while showing his concerned eyes to the jade ones.
"Why? Do you feel power radiating from him?" the emerald-eyed beauty asks naively
'No! Not that kind of power that your thinking.' his mind wanted to tell Sakura this, but he doesn't want her to be bothered by it and he doesn't want his angel's pure mind be stained with filth. "Umm, no. But… it's better to stay away from him, trust me ok?"
Beaming a teasing one, "Okay, oniichan! Mei Mei will be very cautious, so can I go to my work now?"
"Yeah." giving out a displeased tone.
***
'It's seven fifty-five! Seven fifty-five! Five more minutes to go, then were off for today! Off for today! Off for today! It's A-L-M-O-S-T tiiiiimme!' Sakura sings in her mind while wiping the table. It's been thirty minutes since she started chanting songs.
"Hey, there! You look so excited huh?" Syaoran said in a teasing tone.
"Yup! 'Coz we're now going home. And I can't wait to go home!" hugging her tray as her emerald eyes starts to sparkle.
"Huh? Have I heard it right? Y-You? Want to go home?" the chestnut-haired lad asks in surprise. "I thought you want to work?"
Stopping her daydreaming, "Of course, I still love to. But there's more important than this! And it's about Mamoru!" she whispered playfully as if it's not a serious matter.
"Oohh, so have any suggestions?" the warrior said, letting his mood to be like his seraph's behavior.
"Ummm, not really but---"
"---Hey you're almost late!" a large voice boomed in the place. "Where have you been?" a gray-headed man asks to the standing lad in the front door.
Because of this, the two captors both twists their head to the scene while the guy do the same thing, turning his head to the pair.
Garnet twinkled at Emerald
"So, we meet again. Ne?" the ginger-head guy, with the same age as the little wolf, beamed at the surprise mistress with a furtive smile.
Syaoran heard a soft 'Hai' beside him as he looked at the smiling stranger. "You two know each other?" he asked the beaming mistress while he gives a glare at the newcomer.
"Umm, not really. But I'm very thankful that Kami-sama let me see him again." The emerald-eyed mistress said to the growling wolf beside her, "And oh…" bowing at the guy in front of her, "…Arigatou gozaimasu for saving me back there." She said with appreciation in her voice as she heard the warrior whispered her something, asking her for the details, "Ask me again sometime." She whispered back to the scowling wolf.
"Oh, that?" the man said while running his fingers to his shoulder-length ginger hair, "That was nothing… I was just passing by as I accidentally saw you doing some foolish things." He said coolly while slyly grinning at the fuming warrior beside the jade eyes lady. 'So this is the gaki, that the guy was telling me about. Heck! He's just an ordinary gaki to me. A not-so-challenging guy, I must say.' he thought while walking away from the couple, "It's nice meeting you again, cherry blossom. And oh, by the way, you should tame that little wolf before it ruins something." Waving his hands to the shocked card captors.
Still not believing what had just happened, Sakura start to beam a genki smile while looking at the warrior, "Pretty mysterious, ne?" She asked Syaoran while looking back again at the vanishing stranger. "But I can't blame him, can I? And besides, I owe him my life!" she said happily while walking at the storage room. "Come on, Syaoran! Our job's done for today and I must buy Kero his pudding." Grabbing the young warrior's hand.
Syaoran cringed at the statement of the mistress. How come Sakura trusts this guy so much? Maybe that saving-her-life story will tell him the answer. But still… he will never ever trust this guy. Never!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kaminari: GOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMEEENNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!! I'm really very sorry for the delayed posting. T_T hope you understand.
Kero: hey! That's what I've heard every time you finished a chapter. Would you mind changing your drama here?
Kaminari: *glaring* would you mind shutting your big mouth for a while? Or do you want to stay on my oniichan's sweat socks?
Kero: oh no, no, no! I'm pretty fine here playing my Zylon warriors! Just continue what you're telling to them ok?
Kaminari: figures! By the way, just what I've said earlier. I'm very sorry for the late posting. I know that you found my story very mushy but I'm really, truly, justly, strictly, beyond doubt, accurately, very sorry 'coz I can't help it! I really love S+S! Hope you understand me! ^ ^; *Looking at the playing Kero* looks like he's totally serious of keeping his mouth shut huh? Anyweiz, I also know that you found this chapter the lamest chapter of all, but hey! I tried my best here! And I think that this is the most important chapter of all.
Kero: hey! The computer cheated on me!
Kaminari: oh yeah? Like it's your girlfriend!
Kero: kuso!
Kaminari: so, have you found out what's Syaoran's mission? Heck! Hope you're right! Just always remember---
Kero: ---expect the unexpected!
Kaminari: hey, that's my line!
Kero: ohh is that right? I think they hear it from me every time!
Kaminari: will you? *glaring* okay, so what do you think of that mystery guy? Do you think he's the true form of Mamoru? Oh well, just stay tuned 'till next time! Ok? Ja ne! OH WAIT! Before you go… PLEASE! REVIEW MY WORK! AND NO FLAMES OR I'LL KILL YA ALL! Heh! Just joking! But I really love reading your reviews especially long, and beautiful reviews but please no flames ok? and pardon me for the grammatical errors and some typographical errors, 'coz english is only my second language and I have a poor vision. I tried wearing contacts and glasses but I really don't like them so please? Just bear with me ok?
Finished: May 24, 2002