Kero: Hi to you all! *grinning* Kami-chan's not here today, she's with her oniichan's best friend. Yup! Just like Sakura-chan, Kami-chan also had a crush once on her oniichan's friend, but I can't tell you his name 'coz it's secret. However to tell you the truth, Yukito-san and A-san (I said I can't tell you!) have the same personalities; like, they both love to eat. Imagine A-san can eat five rounds of food in one meal! Yeah, I know what you're thinking; *whispering* he must have a boa constrictor in he's stomach! *nod* *nod*
Suppi: Hey! Stop gossiping! Kami-chan said that we should type the story for her. Now we should start so we can play Zylon warriors later!
Kero: oh yeah, before I forget… Suppi's here, he was asked by Kami-chan to type her story, so if you've seen any typographical errors…it's the kitty's fault!
*WHACKS*
Suppi: hey, I'm the guest here! Where are your manners?
Kero: I lost them in the bathroom.
*WHACKS*
Suppi: stop joking! Okay?
Kero: *dizzy* I wish Kami-chan's here… this kitty's weirder than that wacko.
Suppi: *rummage* *rummage* Kero, where's Kami-chan's manuscripts? That girl! This room can be a library! Look! *pointing* even her bed have tons of books in it! *fumble* *fumble* Yay! I found it!!!! Kero, open the computer so we can start typing these foolish stuffs! *BOINK* OUCHIEEEE!
Kero: what's this? A rock covered with paper?
Suppi: oh read it! It can be an incantation to clean this room!
Kero: Okay, okay. *reading* Oh! It's from the wacko! She said that she wants to give her warm thanks to the following:
Smoothie- thanks for the complement! Arigatou! Arigatou!
Setsu- Hmm... 'bout your question... I dunno, but you have a good conclusion, demo... *wink* *wink*
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!
Kawaii-Cherry wolf - here's my update… Kero: she also said that she's very sorry for the over-mushy of her fanfic. Hope that you'd understand her. And oh! There's a P.S. I'll just read it aloud again:
To all the readers, Sorry if I can't be there now, me and Daddy A…
Kero: that's what she calls her oniichan's best friend, sort of a pet name…
…Needs to go shopping for my trip next week, so I'm very sorry. But don't you worry 'coz Kero and Suppi are there to entertain you ok? And just I always say, I don't own CCS so don't sue me 'coz I don't have any money. My money's only enough for my personal needs so please? Characters like Mamoru, Hanagi Katzumi, Shoda Seijouro, and other coming characters that aren't from CCS are all mine, so if you want to borrow them, ask me first ok? and i'm sorry if this chapter is a bit confusing, in here, while the battle was going on, sakura's dreaming too. it's exactly the same time when syaoran fights. hope u understand!!!
Kero: That's it! Now Suppi will tell you the legend:
Suppi: thank you cotton ball, now here's the legend so you won't be lost if you read this story:
"speaking"
'thinking'
flashback
*** - new scene
^^dreaming^^(i think i'm going to clarify some points in here, it's very confusing, i know)
Kero: Thank you KITTY! And now, before we start to type this story, I should warn you that the gang was seventeen and eighteens in the story and oh, if you're wondering where was Amamiya-san (Nadeshiko's grandfather) all this time… let's just say that he's with the Daidouji family and the gaki haven't told yet his feelings for Sakura---
Syaoran: Hey! I've heard that FLUFF BALL!
Kero: w-where did you come from?
Syaoran: I'm just nearby, Baka!
Suppi: ummm, I'm going to start this story before the cotton ball becomes a roasted guardian ok?
*********************************** LAST SCENE IN CHAPTER 2 ****************************
"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!
***********************************END OF CHAPTER 2 ****************************
Now let's start…
by : K a m I n a r I - c h a n
Chapter 3 : Challenges and acceptance
Whoop! Whoop!
"That bastard!" the Li-clan warrior said while swaying again his Sword.
Whoop!
He's been practicing for hours now. He just couldn't sleep after that incident in the shop. Sakura told him about how that guy saved her. Even though the mistress of the cards says that he means no harm, he just couldn't trust a mysterious guy like that. He feels something in him though he didn't see even a glimmer of magical aura in its body, only natural aura. Something was telling him that that guy means business. And he's after Sakura. But why save her in the first place?
Syaoran takes another move, slicing the air in front of him as the thin film of perspiration goes down from his face.
"Maybe you want to slow down a little bit, ne?" an acute voice said as the sun guardian appeared from the shadow. "You might stress yourself after that exercise of yours…. gaki!"
Young wolf stop his training by bowing his head and returning his sword into its false form. "You still up?" he asked, grinning to the yellow creature in front of him. "It's not like you to stay awake at two in the morning…cotton ball!" returning the tease to the sun guardian.
"Well, I just woke up from a terrible dream." Visibly widening it's golden eyes.
Amber pools dimmed as the owner tries to sit on the couch beside him, "Was it about Sakura?" he asks seriously while gripping his pendant.
"Ummm… sort of…." giving a loud sigh.
"What is it?" Syaoran said worriedly, "Maybe your dream's warning us about something that might happen in the future…. was it bad?"
"Very, very bad, I must say… and I think it'll come true… I'm positive!"
"What is it then? Tell me!"
"Ummm… you ready?" the guardian said while looking seriously at the amber pools of the warrior. Realizing that the teen warrior's ready, he heave a sigh, "…It's about Sakura… eating all the puddings in the refrigerator! Talking about big disaster---BOINK! --- ITTTTAAAAIIIIII! What did you do that for?" Kero yelled while rubbing his sore head.
Syaoran gripped harder to his sword, he automatically transformed it and hit the creature's head before you can say 'kidding'. He can't believe how this sun guardian can still joke in tough times like this one. Calming his being, he gently sits again and let the sword transformed into pendant.
"Hey! It's two in the morning! Don't you know how to be quiet and let others sleep?" a gray-haired man appeared on the door, rubbing its head and adjusting its eyeglasses.
"Gomen ne, Tsukishiro-san. It's just this stuffed animal!" glaring at the creature, "Making jokes at the wrong time---W-What's that?" feeling a strong, dark aura.
"It must be Mamoru…" a golden lion said while looking at the angel-like guy beside him.
Syaoran grinned inwardly, he can't still believe how these two guardians transformed fast. "Let's go, he must have attacked another innocent being!" wearing his battle suit in the process.
"What about Sakura? Should we wake her?" giving out concern silver pools to the amber ones.
The young wolf think for a while then, "Iie. Kero, you stay here while me and Yue finds that bastard…okay?"
"Hey… why do I need to---"
"---Just do it! There's somebody who should protect Sakura in case something is not right!" yelling at the sun guardian as he leaped from the window followed by the moon guardian.
Kero exhale noisily as he fly his way to the sleeping mistress, "This. Is. Not. Good."
^^sakura's dream^^
"Hoe?" jade eyes lady in her teen years said in nothingness. Then a shadowy figure of the Li-clan warrior in its battle suit emerges in front of her. "Syaoran? Where are we? Why are we here?" Sakura said while reaching the image in front of her. The little wolf just beamed his rare smile to the mistress while gently touching her face. "Syaoran… I'm a-afraid… it's s-o d-dark in here…" her eyes pleading while fresh tears flows freely from her cheeks. Then the silent warrior embraces the sobbing flower, engulfing her into warm and secure feeling.
^^end of dream^^
The Li-clan warrior jumps from roof to roof of the houses as the guy with angel-wings, wearing white robes, flies behind him. "I feel it! It's on the Penguin Park. Let's go!" Syaoran said at Yue that's following him.
As they near the park, throng of icicles approaches their way. Syaoran and Yue dodge, avoiding the threatening ice. Then having the chance, Syaoran jump to a tree nearby, and quickly raised his sword together with an ofuda.
God Of Fire, Descend!
Melting all the icicles in its way as the icy silver pools countered the attack with its own magic. "Li, go now! I'll handle this one." The silver-haired guy yelled at the chanting warrior on the tree. Hearing the loud 'Hai' and seeing that the young warrior isn't there any more, Yue blasts the remaining icicles that are heading on his way. Unfortunately, a dark power flashed him from behind, making his body fall limp on the cold cement. "May Kami-sama be with you, Li-san." He whispered as he fell unconscious.
^^sakura's dream^^
At this point, Sakura just let the warrior hug her not minding the surroundings before her. She's contented hearing the warrior's heartbeat. Feeling its broad chest and its body heat. But… still she's afraid…everything in here's so… perfect? Her loved one's hugging her. Giving her care, security and serenity. Something's telling her these are all wrong. Then, a loud cackle was heard…
"Hello there, Sakura!"
Sakura felt the place turning below zero while receiving goose bumps on her skin especially the back of her neck every time she hears the piercing guffaw. "W-Who's there?" She said while gripping at the still Li-clan warrior, trying to feel its temperature.
"Aww, poor cherry blossoms. Scaredy-cat, ne?" the Voice said as it continues to laugh. "Oh! What happened to that little wolf of yours? Speechless, ne? Oh wait! Maybe he has something to tell you!"
The auburn-haired lady shifts her head, looking straight at the amber pools of the warrior. She noticed that something wasn't right. The ocher eyes of her little wolf were dark… like something evil possesses it.
Then she felt him grip both of her shoulders not leaving their eye contact, "I hate you Kinomoto." The warrior said impassively, "You're such a pathetic, wimpy card captor. I always think that Master Clow Reed's too baka to assigned a sniveler like you!"
"S-Syaoran! Naze?" the mistress asks solemnly while the warrior pushed her away from him.
"Li-san, for you!" looking at her with disgusts face, "Do you think that I'll love you like you do? Heck! In your dreams!" Syaoran smirked while slowly disappearing in oblivion.
"Naze? Naze?!"
"HAHAHA! ---Oops! I'm very sorry to hear that." The mysterious voice said teasingly as it starts again to laugh. "HAHAHA! Poor mistress! HAHAHA!"
"C-Cold…" as she shivers. For Sakura, all she can do now is to stare on the floor. Her emerald eyes widen as her aura slowly getting weak. "Syaoran… w-why?" letting her tears gushes on her pale face. "Why?" as her visions went blackout.
^^end of dream^^
"Come out there, Mamoru! I know you're in here!" Syaoran shouted while scanning the forest-like area of the park, "Don't be such a weakling… fear sucker!" emphasizing the word 'sucker' while seizing the magical item on his hand.
Then as if the warrior's challenge was heard, a guy with a shadow card-like-suit materializes in the middle of the field. "Well, well, well. What a brave little warrior we got here." The guy sniggers as the moonlight reveals his carroty bangs and bloody eyes but still not enough to see its whole features.
"Why? A little shaky?" Syaoran grinned as he position himself in a fighting stance, "Heh, looks like you're ready to be defeated by the 'brave little warrior' that's in front of you!"
Mamoru smirked, bringing both his hands in front of his chest as a black energy ball shows up between it. "Aww, come on. Me? Scared? Heck, I bet that I wouldn't even sweat in this battle… 'coz you've lost…just now…look!" Throwing the energy ball in the air as it shows an image of a sleeping auburn-haired girl who's obviously having a nightmare because of its hurt appearance and trace of tears either side of its face.
"Sakura!"
"Tell me what is the thing that you're most afraid of… Li Syaoran." The guy in hood said as its bloody eyes glimmered in darkness. "Ohh, let me guess? Is it the beautiful flower that's fortunately also the mistress of the Clow cards?"
Syaoran gripped tighter to his sword while gnashing his teeth, "What did you do to her? Leave her out of this!" he said as he looked again at the distress angel and also noticing the guardian beast outside the barrier.
"Don't worry little wolf, I'm just sucking her energy through her nightmare… wanna see it?" Mamoru chuckled as the birds in the trees hurriedly fly away from them.
"You! ---"
"---Ooops!" waving his index finger to the angry warrior, "If I were you, I'm not going to move from my place or else, you might just see how your precious cherry blossom dies without a fight!"
The teen warrior sighed and closes his eyes, picturing a smiling emerald-eyed beauty. "What do you want me to do?" he said while releasing his grasp from his sword. 'Sakura, gomen nasai. Aishiteru.' Swallowing his pride as tears gush in his face.
Mamoru grinned evilly while looking at the down warrior, "Giving up already? What a waste of time you are. I thought that you'd thrash me? Then why not do it now?" turning his gaze to the sword that's now on the ground.
"You heard me." The young descendant of Clow Reed said revealing a half-defeated, half-decided amber pools, "What do you want me to do to release Sakura?" clenching his knuckles until it was white.
"Hmmm… Let me see…" pointing his index finger on his head, posing as if thinking something. "For starters like you…" flashing a dark beam on the young warrior as he heard him shriek in pain.
Syaoran landed on his knees as he felt a slash on his stomach. He looked down, only to see his green robes with tear and blood stains on it. Closing again his eyes, he tried to call for Sakura's name again as he heard something that surprised him….
"Don't give up…"
'Who are you?' the warrior asked silently in his mind.
"It doesn't matter now… you'll know me when the time comes…"
'But---'
"---I'll help you if you'll cooperate…"
'You know, I don't give trust to people easily, especially people I can't even see…' he said back to the mysterious voice in his mind while wincing in pain.
"Me either, I don't give help to people that I don't even know and I don't want to know at all!"
'Oh, yeah! Then why are you bugging me?' smirking to himself as he receive another blow from Mamoru, 'Ouch! I almost forgot this guy… Kami-sama, I must be crazy 'coz I've been hearing things!'
"There's no time for contemplating, I want you to be crazy though. But will you just trust me for the mistress' sake? For Sakura's sake!"
***
"Sakura! Okite!" the guardian beast of the seal yelled at the squirming mistress in front of him. "Onegai, Sakura-chan! It's me, Kero! Okite!" It's been thirty minutes since his mistress starts yelling the young warrior's name and some words that he can't understand while her pink aura become weaker and weaker. But that's not all. The worst part of it is that he can't go near to the suffering flower because there's a magical barrier that separates him from Sakura. "Don't worry, Sakura-chan. Li-kun will be here any minute now. So please…" as a single tear trickled on his face.
It's heart breaking for the sun guardian to see his mistress in anguish, especially when he can't do anything to ease it. And also he felt a pang of jealousy when Sakura yelled the Li-clan warrior's name instead of his. But that doesn't matter now, if the kid's the only way to help, he'll accept it. Besides, the kid has proven to him that he's worthy of his mistress' trust.
^^sakura's dream^^
Sakura, gomen nasai. Aishiteru.
A soft voice echoed in the mistress ears as she gently raised her head up to see the speaker.
But there was no one.
"S-Syaoran-kun… why?" she said as her eyes started to release water.
Then as if by cue, a warm and refreshing aura wraps around her body. Soothing her whole being. Forgetting all her troubles that even the owner of the aura wasn't noticed. She felt that the aura gives her strength but there's another aura that's helping her, she felt that the second aura's fighting the dark one, while also giving her some of its power.
^^end of dream^^
Silence.
Kero turned his gaze to the now quiet mistress. For a second, he thought that he saw a small smile crept from its face as Sakura starts again to whimper, but now in a low tone. Then as the guardian beast look closer his jaw dropped. He tried to rub his eyes assuming that what he saw was a mistake. But it didn't go away.
Walking closer to the barrier, Kero saw not two but four auras doing their own part. First is the lightest color of pink; it seems that it's getting weaker as it battled to the dark one and it's obviously belonged to his mistress, Sakura.
Next, is the one Sakura's aura been battling with, the black one; Kero realized that the dark one is winning in the battle. But that's not what the beast was shocked about. It's the other two auras: the one that's green and the other that's white.
***
Now, the teen warrior didn't mind the piercing laugh of the man in front of him nor the injuries he have. All he can think about at this time is the certain jade eyes lady that's the cause of his existence. He'd give everything; do anything, just to make the young lady in safe condition. Tears still gushing on his handsome face, as the young warrior followed the instruction of the mysterious voice.
"WHAAAT?" Mamoru yelled while looking at the black ball in front of him.
"Kero! What happened?" a confused voice asked the guardian beast while the yellow lion jump its way to his mistress. "Hoe? Kero, get out of my bed or you'll destroy this." She said while laughing.
Syaoran nearly shout in happiness as he heard his angel's chuckle. He almost lost her. But now, seeing that Mamoru is busy with the whole thing. Syaoran grabbed his sword as he lunges forward to the cloaked-man.
Mamoru tried to avoid the attack but it was too late, though he had dodge a little, making the warrior slashed his right arm. "AAARRRGHHH!" he screams in pain and shock. Then he gripped his bleeding arm, "We'll be seeing each other again…" as he vanished into thin air.
"Sakura!" Syaoran cringes in pain but also yelp in joy as he starts to run his way to the apartment. Bringing back his sword into pendant in the process.
***
"Sakura, what happened?" the yellow stuffed-like animal asks his mistress while handing the green tea to her.
Smiling at the concern of her guardian, "I'm fine, Kero." Shutting her eyes as she tries to remember her dream. She winced a bit, but beamed again as she lock her emerald orbs to the golden ones, "In fact, I feel lively and strong after that dream. Feeling a little weird, though." Sipping her tea gently.
"Is that so?" Kero said blinking his eyes, "But I thought you're in danger 'coz I felt that your aura's getting weaker. Can you please tell me what had happened?"
Sakura heave a sigh as she relates her dream to her guardian. Although leaving some details behind, especially about the young warrior's rejection. Then the mistress stopped as she felt a tingling sensation in her body. She felt again the aura that had comfort her in the dream. Realizing the owner of the aura, Sakura became wide-eyed as she stand and walk her way outside her room. "Syaoran!" she screamed, leaving a confused guardian behind.
***
Somewhere around Tomoeda, a magical being closed his eyes while thinking of the auburn-haired girl that's beaming beautifully.
"Daijobou desu ka?" a worried voice in his mind cut his trance. "Is Sakura alright?"
"Hai! She's safe for now…" flinching in every word he says, "…but I'm afraid that Mamoru will make Sakura's life more miserable than before…"
'I know… but onegai, help her, will you?'
The guy smiles as he clasp his both hands, "Don't worry. You don't even have to ask that 'coz I have volunteered myself in this job… by the way, I've found him!"
"Really? That's great!" the voice said, pausing for a while, "Where did you see him? Have you talked to him?"
The man exhale noisily as he rub his forehead, "Iie, I haven't talk to him. Powerful people surround him. But don't worry, I know that he's fine being with them." Getting some cherry blossom in the desk, "All we have to do for now is to protect Sakura from Mamoru."
"Arigatou."
***
"Syaoran!" the mistress of the cards yelled as she walks her way to Syaoran's room only to see a panting warrior in white tunic and white pants, sitting at the end of the bed while hugging a pillow. "Syaoran… is everything alright? I felt that your aura's getting dimmer and dimmer."
"I'm okay, Sakura…" the young wolf said while letting out a smile, "I'm just having my early training and I accidentally hit my pillow causing it to fell on the floor so I trie---"
"---Syaoran, you're bleeding!" the emerald-eyed beauty yelp in surprise; seeing some part of the pillow turning crimson and the young wolf's tunic with a tear in the stomach part, that's also with blood stains in it. "Kero, get some hydrogen peroxide and some bandages!" he yelled at the yellow creature behind her, "And you, young man..." Looking at Syaoran as she grabbed its shoulder, "You should lie down and let me clean your woun---"
"---Li-san, here's the first-aid kit that you're… S-Sakura!?" the man in gray-haired said in shock as he looked at the auburn head girl beside the slumped warrior.
"Yukito-san!" Sakura said in astonishment as she looked closely at the man in the doorway. Confusion arises from the mistress head as she also saw some cuts and bruises from her childhood crush. But not as awful as the wounds that the teen warrior have. Then she turned again her head at the sprawled warrior next to her.
Emerald meets edgy Amber
"Is there something that I need to know?"
***
The young mistress allows another batch of tears to gush on her face. For how long she's been crying? She didn't know. All she can think about now is the incident that occurred. The wounds that the teen warrior and her brother's best friend have were now both treated together with her tears.
"S-Sakura-chan…onegai, don't be mad." Yukito said anxiously. He didn't want to see Sakura crying, especially because of their foolishness. Their stupidity isn't worth her tears. Then he look at Clow Reed's descendant. The young warrior didn't even utter a word after the revelation. He can feel its remorse; a shattered heart of a fragile wolf. He can feel the soft side of the brave teen warrior beside him. He now turned his gaze to the sagged stuffed-like creature beside its mistress. It's the first time that Yukito saw a sad and guilty look on it's face or maybe because when they talked, especially about Sakura, he's mostly in his true form. Then he gazed again at the distraught flower, its sobbing obviously stop, "Sakura…"
"It's okay Yukito-niichan!" the mistress said while beaming her sincere smile, "I'm not mad… it's just that it happened again…" bowing her head in awkwardness.
The two guardians, together with the solemn warrior looked up at the same time. Confusion was obviously written on their faces..
"What do you mean?" the yellow creature broke the silence of the room as it fly toward the Li-clan warrior's slumped shoulder.
The young mistress of the cards raised her head and smiled at the bemused beings in front of her, "Well… it happened again… but now, with Syaoran in it." Inhaling the autumn and sandalwood scent of the room as she again continues her thoughts, "Remember the time when Yue needs o-oniichan's power?" somewhat hurt when she said 'oniichan' as the sun and the moon guardians nodded their heads, "Remember the time that you both need to hide it because you mutually think that I might do stupid things?" receiving a nod again and a confused look from the teen warrior. "You see... you both did it again…. You're always covering up my weaknesses. Both you and Yue are always shielding me from things. But now… you…" looking at Syaoran, "…you also plot these, ne?"
"But, Sakura. Just like I've said before… we're all doing these things because we're your friends. Of course, we'd be considerin' your feelings as well, right?" Kero said while patting his mistress' shoulder, "And as your friends, we don't want you to get hurt."
"But because of that, you're the one whose getting hurt!" the mistress insists while crumpling the sheets in her lap.
"Sakura…"
The jade eyes of the teen mistress became wide-eyed as she felt someone pulled her and envelops her in a warm embrace. Her head leaning in broad shoulder, "S-Syaoran!" snapping herself as she let the comforting aura mingle with hers. Her worries slowly vanish. It's like in her dream but this one is a total bliss. She gently closed her eyes while filling her nose with his scent, autumn and sandalwood, very relaxing, indeed.
"Sakura-chan… gomen nasai, it's really not your fault. You're not weak…" Running his fingers to the auburn locks below his chin. "…It's really my plan, because I was afraid."
'Afraid of what?' Sakura asks herself, she tries to look into the warrior's eyes but she only finds an apprehensive ocher pools.
Is he afraid that he'll not do it perfectly because she's in it?
Is he afraid that she might do absurd things?
Is he afraid?
He is.
So many things to think off that the cheerleader's head start to hurt. Maybe, they're right. She should just stay home while they fight against Mamoru. But… she can't! She can't let Syaoran or her friends be hurt again.
"But…" hearing the deep sigh of the young wolf, "…if it hurts you to be left out in this mission, we'll gladly accept you on the plan…besides, you're the card mistress!" looking at the jade pools with contented eyes. "But you must promised me something…"
Confused look sprout from mistress emerald pools, "Promise? What is it?"
Syaoran somewhat smiled at the puzzled mistress in front of him, "…You have to promise that you'll not exert too much of your energy in here. We all know that you're the most powerful person in the world but that doesn't give you the right to overwork yourself." Cupping the moon-shaped face of the mistress, "Remember, you're still human. And I can't imagine myself seeing you helpless."
"I promise." Sakura smiled at the young wolf in front of her. How many times does this warrior shows care for her? She didn't know. "Arigatou." She spoke softly. She knows that thanking him isn't enough payment for the warrior's concern. 'But I'll promise that I'll always be there in your side… I also can't and doesn't want to imagine you to be down.'
***
"Syaoran! Okite!" Sakura said gently yet louder for the young warrior to hear while shaking its broad shoulders. She somewhat beamed at the scene. It's really rare to see herself waking the punctual amber-eyed lad. It's always the other way around.
The teen warrior slowly open his eyes letting the ocher orbs be familiar with the light that's rudely entering his vision. Then after sometime, the young wolf registered shock from what he saw.
Is he in heaven?
'Obviously, not!' he said to himself. His Ying Fa's far more beautiful than any angel. Her smile can melt anything, even the hardest and impossible ones. 'Just like what she did to my heart!' smiling at the thought. "What are you smiling about?" he asks the beaming mistress while returning the smile to her.
"Nothing, it's just that it's my first time waking you up from your, I can say, very deep slumber. It's now ten in the morning you know…" Sakura said sweetly while looking at the messy---messier than before---chestnut hair of the young wolf, "And I'm surprised… I can't believe that you're this cute when you wake up!" pinching the warrior's, now scarlet cheeks while continuing her talk, "I'm just sad that I didn't have any camera to take pictures of you!"
"Now, you sounds like Daidouji-san and act like my sisters." He said while sitting up in his bed. He too was really shock yet happy at the same time. This is first time he overslept and being stirred up by his beloved flower. 'Heck! I should've done this before!' It's really overwhelming for him to hear her voice and see her angelic face, first thing in the morning.
"Oh, are you alright?" the mistress said somewhat alarming, "Are your wounds still aching, especially the big slash in your abs?" she added while placing her hands in the Li-clan warrior's stomach and looking at it with concern eyes. "I'm really worried about you. It's not everyday I saw you hurt."
"Sakura…"
"Oh, by the way. Yukito-chan left earlier with Kero. They said something about shopping." Looking back again at the amber pools, "At first, I didn't agree with it 'coz just like you, Yukito-chan's still in the process of healing his wounds. But those two were very stubborn; they never let me win this time! And I bet that they're not going to shop but just plain food trip!" she said between her laughs while standing beside the desk.
"You bet it!" also laughing but not as cheery as the mistress because his wounds were still a bit painful.
Then as if someone brought her back to earth, "Oh! You, young wolf." Syaoran jerked his head up after hearing a rare name. Sakura didn't notice it, though. "You should get up or I'll get your ear boxed up, 'coz we should now plan our act about Mamoru and we still have our job at four."
"Aye, aye, ma'am!" the young warrior said saluting the teen mistress. He's really happy that Sakura's really into it---about Mamoru---though it's pretty dangerous. 'Well, if that will make her happy…' he said to himself.
***
"So, what are you afraid of?" the young mistress asks the still warrior beside her.
Syaoran sighs for the nth time. After their brunch, they decided to take a walk as they discuss about Mamoru. He didn't expect that it'd be hard for him to talk about this to the mistress. She kept bugging him, about his fear. 'I'm afraid that I will be leaving you after this mission; for not seeing you again; for not being near you when you're hurt and most especially for not being the one in your life… yeah, that's what I'm afraid of.' He said to himself as he stares at the auburn-head beauty beside him.
Should he tell her?
What will be her reaction?
Will she get mad?
"Hello, earth to Syaoran!" stepping in front of the contemplating warrior. "I'm just asking what are your fears 'coz maybe we can do something about it. You know just like mine---I'm afraid of ghost. So maybe I should go out with Naoko-chan often so that I'll be---"
'It's now or never!' scolded his mind. "---I'm afraid that the girl I love will get hurt in any way…" taking a deep breath. 'You can do this Syaoran! You're the future leader!'
Sakura was surprised at the sudden outburst of the chestnut haired warrior, 'Oh, that girl.' She thought somberly while plastering a fraud smile before him. "That's very nice of you. I hope that girl of your dreams will really appreciate your deepest concern." She spoke gleefully yet hurt deep inside.
"Sakura, you don't understand---"
"---Oneesan!" exclaimed a babyish voice behind them.
Sakura yelp in surprise causing for her to hug the closest person beside her, who's fortunately was Syaoran, that's now owning a tomato-like face. Then she looked down only to see a three-year-old girl with brown, waist-length, curly locks and big, innocent pitch-black eyes, that's tugging her skirt while beaming.
Not knowing what to do because of the sudden interruption, Syaoran lowered himself in level with the girl and give her one of his rare smile, which was the wrong thing to do. Because the young warrior receives thirty different shades of red after hearing the girl shouted 'kawaii' and placing a peck on his right cheek.
Sakura laughed at the scene before her. For a moment, she thought that Syaoran would be a great father in the future. "Otousan…" she said softly as she reminiscing her past with her father.
The amber pools noticed the sudden stillness of the cheerleader. "Are you okay?" he asked, carrying the girl in the process.
"Hai! I just remembered someone!" she said back while beaming a killer-smile.
"Kirei!" the girl cry in astonishment. "So, pweetty! Tennyo!" the girl added while placing her tiny hands in the mistress' face.
The young wolf laugh a bit while patting the little girl's head with his left hand. "That's the expression I know, oh too well!" making the Sakura blush in instant.
"Arigatou, Hime-sama." The jade-eyed lass reply coyly. "Demo… why did you stopped me---"
"---There you are, Ayako!" a red-haired guy yelled while running his way to the teen card captors. "I've been looking for you for hours now! ---Oh! Gomen for the trouble she caused you both." Bowing at the young couple.
"Ano-shenshei, swe's the won hu hwelp me yesterwdayw." Pointing her little index finger at Sakura.
"Hoe?"
"Ahh, you're the one who saves Ayako yesterday. Arigatou." The guy said while bowing again. "Thank you for rescuing her and Ah---"
"---Shensei! Dwaijwobwu?" the girl in the young warrior's arm shriek in surprise as the teen mistress steadied the dizzy guy.
"Are you alright?" Sakura said while supporting the guy to the nearby bench.
"Yeah." Wiping the forming perspiration in his temple. "It's just that I felt my vision started to black-out."
"Iie! Ywour nwot owlwrite!"
"Ayako-chan." Letting out confused indigo orbs on the black ones.
"Ano-shensei nwot fwine." Going down on the warrior's arms. "Hwis bwin bwuswy ywertwerdway and anowthwer ywestwerdway. Ano-Shensei nwids rwest!" the little girl said as she walks her way to the red-haired man in the bench.
"Ayako, sensei's fine. You don't have to worry." Beaming a big smile to Sakura and to the little girl.
'Hmmp! I don't like his guts!' The young wolf snarls in silence. "Maybe, the child is right. You really need to get some rest," He said while slipping his right arm to the mistress' slim waist. 'You pathetic, flirty guy!'
"Hoe?" Sakura had twenty shades of crimson in her face after she felt Syaoran's protective arms and it's raging aura. "You don't need to be like that, you know." She whispered in the young wolf's ear.
"But we don't know this guy. And what if he's a complete fraud or he's an enemy?" he whispered back to the mistress.
"I know you don't easily give trust to people, but he's hurt. And can't you see, Ayako cares for him. So please?" she added while giving out her puppy-dog eyes.
That's it!
He lost the battle. He felt that his will power to fight back shrinks every time Sakura uses her famous puppy-dog eyes. 'Why do I never get a chance to win over you, Ying Fa?' smiling on the auburn-head girl beside him. "Alright! You win."
"Kawaii!" a puerile voice broke the trance of the card captors. They both turned their heads, only to see two pairs of eyes looking at them in a teasing manner. Realizing their situation, Syaoran disentangle his arm to the coy mistress next to him. "Gomen!" he quickly added.
"Are you couple?" the guy asks the card captors.
""NO!"" they yelled in unison while having a crimson color in their cheeks.
Recognizing something, Sakura quickly goes to the red-haired man on the bench. "Come on. You need to rest. Syaoran and I will help you get to your place. Ne, Syaoran?" She said while pleadingly looking at the frowning warrior in front of them. 'Onegai? My little wolf.' she said in her mind.
'Onegai? My little wolf.' "Eh?" the young wolf snapped as he heard a voice in his head.
Did she?
'Syaoran no baka!' he scolded himself. 'It's just your imagination! She can't possibly… right?' he continued while shaking his head. 'Baka. Baka. Baka.'
"Syaoran?" an angelic voice snapped his contemplation. "You okay? You seem to be bothered by something."
"Eh? Me? I-I'm okay!" stammering at his words.
"Maybe, not something but someone." A husky accent butt-in as the red-haired guy made a Cheshire-cat-grin.
"Eh?"
"Hoe?"
***
"S-Sakura..!" the young wolf whines, clutching his pants in insistence, as another bunch of kids hugs his legs while trying to take away his precious garment.
"Just a minute, Syaoran." A calm voice was heard on the four corners of the nursery room.
"But Saku---ITTAAAIIIII!" wailing loudly as he felt somebody had bit his hand. Then he turned his head, only to see teary eyes all focused on him. 'Oh. My. God.' He said as he felt his heart thumping louder and louder every second. Then…
WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!
Different kinds of sobs were heard. Syaoran didn't know what to do, 'It's like, these kids were clones of Meilin.' He said as he curled his tired and injured body like a ball in the corner. 'I'm really hopeless when it comes to children.' Shaking his head in the process, 'Why Am I here again?' he asks his self, closing his eyes, as he remembered the earlier event…
"Arigatou, Sakura but you don't need to do anything." Persists the rough voice that comes from the red-haired guy that's now lying in bed.
"Daijoubu desu, Aono-kun. You just take your rest and we'll take care of everything." Said the card mistress as she tied an apron in her slim waist. "Besides you can't do your job properly if you're weak. And don't give me that 'I'm-a-year-older-than-you' look 'coz it'll not work on me!" She said mockingly as she grab a seat beside the young wolf.
"But this is so unfair…"Aono said as his indigo orbs widened in realization, "We just met a couple of minutes ago… you barely know me…and now you're helping me."
Syaoran sighs in the scene that's presented in him. He can't stand this. The red-haired guy was right. They just met him earlier and now she's trying to help him. 'Well, I don't have any choice. It's your nature, ne? My Ying Fa.' smiling secretly to the teen mistress beside him. He understands what Sakura wants, but this redheaded chicken keeps on philandering to his Sakura. 'Now where did that come from?' asking his self. He can't be possessive to someone he doesn't have, right? And yet, it's too good to hear, "Mine."
"Honto?" a surprised yet cheery voice break his trail of thoughts.
The young wolf jolted up in confusion "Eh? What?"
"Yatta! Chao-chan wil swing!" A squeaky voice echoes as chubby, little hands tweak his cheeks.
"Me? Swing?" he asked inquisitively while steadying Ayako that's still hugging him.
A saintly laugh rings in his ears as he looked at the chuckling angel next to him. "You're such a joker Xiaolang!" Sakura said between her laugh, "What Ayako-chan said is that you'll sing a lullaby for them and help me in the nurs---"
'Me? Sing? Impossible! It can't be!' thoughts swarm in his head. "---But why me? Hey it's you're idea that we should be a proxy to Mikado-san's nursery center." He said as he brought down the now confused Ayako.
"Chao-chan dwont lwike Ayako-chan?" a feeble voice interferes in the discussion.
The Li-clan warrior looked at the crying girl. 'Now what did I do?' he asked as he scrutinize his surroundings. He saw indigo eyes closing, not intending to help him. 'Kuso! It's your entire fault Mr.-I'm-sick-guy!' then as if on impulse, he twisted his head only to see a pleading emerald pools to his amber ones. 'When will I ever win over you, Ying Fa?' he asked silently while giving his glare to the red-haired guy and a gentle 'yes' to Sakura.
In a field of green a flow-er grows,
Like my love for you, it blooms…
Syaoran snapped his eyes open only to find an auburn-haired angel at the center of the room with her eyes closed while singing.
In a clou-ded sky the sun is high,
Shi-ning on a rose in June.
The young wolf now noticed the twenty yawning toddlers, surrounding the singing mistress. 'She's really a tennyo…' he instinctively said in his mind while focusing his amber eyes to the girl of his dreams.
When the sum-mer breeze
Blows through the trees,
And the ro-bins sing their tune,
I seem to re-call a slee-py dream,
Scen-ted like a rose in June…
Still her eyes closed, Sakura reminisces the happy times of her childhood with her singing father and her brother that's playing the piano, 'Otousan… Oniichan… I miss you very much… even you, Okaasan…'
Then when win-ter comes
And the pe-tals fall,
And this lone-ly flow-er is bare.
I know… come spring the wea-ther will bring
Sweet times and lo-ve in the air.
Syaoran smiled inwardly as he listened to the lyrics of the song. 'The song really suits her, yet you're far more beautiful than a rose, my cherry blossom.' As he continues to watch the angel in its serene form.
Then when she ar-rives… I will not need,
A bou-quet of or-chids blue,
I know I will see my love re-cline,
Right be-side the rose in June
"Right be-side the rose in J-June…" Tears starts to stream on Sakura's face as she ended the song, 'And now that I've grown up, just like Touya-niichan said, you are all now relieved and is in a very beautiful place above the sky.'
"S-Sakura…" the young warrior silently said as he was taken aback at the crystalline water that flows on Sakura's cheeks. He felt his heart squeezed every time new tears sprang on the still, closed eyes of the goddess.
"Otousan, Oniichan, Okaasan… I miss you all…" Sakura said between her sobs, "…and now, I'm all alone…" she added while wiping the salty tears on her cheeks.
"You're not alone." A husky male voice said behind.
Sakura looked at the source of the voice, surprised to see the young wolf coming closer to her with a handkerchief on his right hand. "S-Syaoran!? I thought you were asleep so I volunteered myself to sing a lull---"
"---How many times am I going to tell you that I'm here?" he said reaching his right hand to the damped face of the angel. "Sakura, don't ever think that you're alone… everyone is here to help you… even your not-so-trusty fluff ball." Sitting beside her as he gives his rare smile to the glistening emerald orbs.
"Arigatou." Sakura said as she run her fingers to the sleeping Ayako on her lap.
"Oh my, what a peaceful paradise!" an affable voice boomed in the room as parents came straight to their respective sleeping child.
***
"Arigatou gozaimashita!" the teen mistress cheerfully said to the parents as she gently kissed each sleeping angel. 'I will surely miss all of you!'
"Oh I remember you!" a lady in her late twenties approaches the card captors with a man behind her that's carrying the sleeping Ayako. "You're the one who bravely saved my little girl's life. Thank you for that." Bowing sophisticatedly to the blushing mistress while strands of long, wavy hair slips the woman's shoulder.
"Ano---"
"---Hun, why not invite them to a dinner in our house tonight, so we can thank her properly?" the man said as he arranged his hold to his daughter.
"Yeah, why not come over to our house this night? We're having a celebration because my Okaasan will arrive this noon from China…" eyeing the still warrior beside the mistress, "…you can bring your fiancé with you."
"Eh?"
"Hoe?"
"Why? Is there something wrong?" the lady asked to the blushing pair in front of her.
"Umm… w-we're not on that kind of r-relationship." The young warrior stutters on his phrase.
"Y-Yeah, we're only friends!" Sakura added, "…Best of friends!"
"Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you two were on a deep relationship because you look like one when we came here earlier."
"Yeah, she's right… with these sleeping children around you both and that kind of form, are you sure you're not a couple?" the man beside them added teasingly
""We're perfectly sure!""
Sweat drops were formed on the older couple. "Uh, so… are you coming?"
"I really would love to but we have a part-time job this---"
"Please? Just do this for Ayako. I know she'll be glad to see you again."
"Umm… Syaoran?" emerald pools gaze up on the ocher ones. She knows that the teen warrior doesn't want social gatherings.
'Oh, no!' the young wolf's eyes soften as he see the jade ones in deep confusion. 'Here goes nothing…' "I think we can ask permission to our manager to have an early leave this evening, ne?"
"Arigatou."
"So?" the lady eyed the couple, "Are you both accepting our invitation?" handing a calling card to the mistress.
Sakura gracefully accept the card, "Hai, Thank you for you inviting us. It's really a great pleasure to be with your family tonight."
"No," the woman said as she cupped the emerald-eyed beauty's face, "We're the ones that are grateful to have you two…"
"Hoe…!?"
"See you tonight!" the couple said as they waved goodbye to the captors, "And before I forget, umm.."
"Sakura. Kinomoto Sakura. And this is Li Syaoran." The mistress gently said as she smiled lovingly to the couple.
"Sakura, the dinner will start at eight, hope you'll be there on time!"
"Hai, Thanks again for inviting us." Waving gleefully to the departing family.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Suppi: Yay! It's finished!
Kero: God, I thought this chapter would not have an ending. So Suppi, are you ready for our battle?
Suppi: can we postpone it? 'Coz you see, my feet got extra crisps, my fur are dry and my eyes are going to pop any minute now if I don't rest!
Kero: hey! What about our agreement?
Suppi: then tell your mistress to help me cure my sores.
*Bang*
Kaminari: Tadaima tomodachi!
Kero & Suppi: okaeri!
Kero: oi! Why are you late?
Kaminari: Hanyaaannnn…. *daydreaming* daddy A's really … Kawaii!
Kero: yeah, yeah, so what's new?
*Whacks*
Kaminari: how rude! I even saved you some puddings and chocolates from our trip, and that's how you repay me?
Suppi: hey, not my fault. I've finished what you assigned me.
Kaminari: thanks, Suppi. Here's a Hershey's for you.
Suppi: arigatou! I'll eat this over there, ok?
Kero: what about me?
Kaminari: do you really want this? *grinning* (displaying the pudding)
*nod* *nod* *mouth's watering*
Kaminari: hhmmm… okay, I'll give it to you in one condition, you're the one who'll say goodbye to our readers.
Kero: Anything for pudding!
Kaminari: so guys, bye for now!
Kero: thanks for reading the magnificent, never-before-heard story of Kami-chan. Reviews are very welcome, NOT FLAMES, ok? And if you have any questions, just type it down. And btw, what do you think of Aono? Yeah, there's too many characters involved, but don't worry 'coz, every one has an important role. And oh, the songs here and in the prologue weren't Kami-chan's work so there's a disclaimer.
Kaminari: Sorry, I forgot to tell you. '__,'
Kero: So, see you next time!!!! HEY! WHERE'S THE PUDDING?
*****************************************************
PREVIEW FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER*******************************************
"Kinomoto-san, Li-san, this is my eldest son, Kyoichi." The russet-haired woman said in a gleeful voice, breaking the glaring contest from the two gentlemen. Knowing her son for seven years, she bet that it'd do some teasing to the young warrior beside her.
"Wo jue de ni hen ke ai! Jia gei wo hao ma?" (I think you are cute! Will you marry me?) the boy said in Chinese lingo, standing apart to the confused Ayako while smiling childishly to the Mistress of the cards.
Sakura became baffled at what the boy said about her. 'What did he say? Hoe?! What if it's something important?' assuming nervously at the same time blaming herself for not listening to Syaoran that she should learn other language than Japanese and English. '…maybe he wants to make friends with me!' trying to assure herself while giving the boy her ethereal smile.
"Ni shi zou shen me de?" (What are you?) Syaoran asked in his native tongue annoyingly to the kid in front of him. Earlier he took notice of the happy look of Sakura about the brat's sentence, and frankly, he doesn't like it at all. '…he knows that Sakura doesn't understand Chinese… he's taking advantage of it…Grrr!!!' steaming furiously inside.
The boy smiled a Cheshire grin at the warrior. "Ying Fa Qing ren!" ( Sakura's Lover!)
"Hoe? Sumimasen Shinomori-san, demo ossharu koto ga wakarimasen. Now I'm definitely lost!" (I don't understand) the young mistress whispered at the woman beside Syaoran, only to receive a knowing and it's-a-secret smile. Dejectedly, she tried to avert her gaze again to the competing guys beside her. The first is grinning while the other is glaring. 'Oh, well… it seems that we have a new Eriol.' as she shook her head warily at the scene before her.
Hearing the defeated sigh of the mistress, the woman cough a few times trying to call their attention as she clasp Ayako's hand and patted her son's head "Umm… Li-san, I'm sorry for the behavior of my son, he seems to have a little crush on the beautiful tao…" (kaminari: 'tao' means 'peach' which is also used as a name for a bride. Hehehe! See where Kyoi-kun's mischievousness came from?) Making the two guys blush at the same time, "…anyways, let's just continue our greetings to each other over there." Pointing at the rectangular table where the blue-gray-haired man and a woman in seventies talking to somewhat familiar face to the card captors.
"Yay! Fwud!" the little girl said with pleasure as she pulls Sakura towards the table.
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END PREVIEW *************************************************
Finished: June 24, 2002