Author's Notes: So this is another dreamscape chapter. I did warn you after all that this fic is mostly dreams. There are real parts in this though, so I hope you know which are real and which aren't. I don't want to be patronizing and start labeling when a dream starts and stops.
Thanks to Miya, Silent Melancholia, CreatiStar (*blinks twice* um, I'll have to pass on those ideas =P), Riley S, Rhea-chan (heh heh, the secret's safe with me *zips mouth*), Wings of Fire (I don't think you've been around for a while), LiSakura, nightshadow, Freija the Squeaky Coconut.
Dark FantasyChapter 2: View through the Willows
Syaoran rubbed a petal between his fingers, the sweet perfume of flowers and wind trailing deep into the wood. He walked quietly down the gravel path, taking notice of the shafts of light that fell through the leaves and branches high overhead. Floating petals danced in his wake, littering the air with strokes of colour, sweeping away the scenery behind his footfalls. He turned to stare at the fading landscape, a vast expanse of white where once there was a deep green meadow. A gust of wind beckoned him back to facing down the path, swirling around his face like formless fingers, turning his head to watch the glittering stones that wound through avenues of trees.
There was something entrancing about the scene, a quiet humming that seemed to span beyond human perception, but pulling him nonetheless. He took cautious strolling strides, aware of the fading path behind him, brushstrokes disappearing into a white emptiness. Pressing on, the ground dipped slightly, some loosened gravel bits clicking and bouncing down the ramp slope. The trees had stopped abruptly, leaving a meadowed hill to drop towards an azure lake, shimmering in the strange light. Syaoran looked upward to the sky, no sun or clouds, only a wide expanse of blue. And yet, it was bright, the outlines of everything blurring together but somehow remaining distinct. He walked on.
There was an air of expectation as Syaoran stood at the base of the hill, the blades of grass finding their way up his trouser legs and flitting across his ankles. He watched the rippling water in anticipation, knowing something was going to happen. But nothing did. Sighing resignedly, he let himself drop and sit by the shore, following many iridescent fish fluttering and tumbling in the lake. It was peace, the tranquility of laziness, being intoxicated with blankness of mind. With a deep draught of the air, he laid back, arms stretching to entwine his fingers among the tall grasses and wildflowers. His eyelids sank lower as they met the horizon of his lower lids, the mist of sedation heavy along his lashes. It was a natural calm, a disturbance gradually flowed through his senses without disruption. "Syaoran?"
Syaoran opened one eye, blearily looking at the face that now loomed above him. He knew her, without surprise, the name slipped through his lips. "Sakura?" Then with a jolt, his eyes sensed the dimming around him, blackness encroaching and with the same spontaneity brightening back to its original illumination. But he was now awake and aware, sitting up abruptly and turning to eye the woman in wonder. "Why are you here?"
Sakura looked amused, leafy eyes dancing with delight. "Silly Syaoran. We were supposed to meet here remember?"
Syaoran certainly didn't remember, puzzled greatly at her suggestion. "No. Why were we supposed to meet here?"
Sakura looked almost hurt for a second before her smile returned. She poked him slyly with her index finger. "Mou, Syaoran. You almost had me there, pretending to forget about our date and all."
"D-date?" This was getting more and more strange by the second. Syaoran looked distinctly uncomfortable, a flush creeping up his neck. He didn't know her, really know her, and he was on a date with her? And she kept insisting they knew each other well. He didn't know what to do, except to play along, hoping that she'd part with some vital answers. "Oh yeah, got you." He laughed awkwardly. "So what do you want to do?"
Sakura shrugged, taking a look around her. "Since you've been having a nice rest already, I think I should put you to work." She grinned. "Let's go get a boat and row across the lake."
Syaoran opened his mouth to object, but fell silent as a small wooden rowboat drifted into his view from the side. There appeared to be no one in it, the oars dipping into the still waters and threatening to slip into the lake. "I guess we can use that one." Clumsily, he removed his socks and shoes, stumbling into the knee-deep water, soles slick against the muddy bottom, slime oozing through the gaps in his toes. His face made a strange grimace as he felt the various plant material squish underneath him. From the shore he heard Sakura laugh, waving toward him as he looked over to her. This was bothering him immensely, not knowing what was going on, being led in confusing circles and being answered with vagaries. Finally, mid thigh deep in the lake, he was within arms reach of the boat. A thick coil of rope dangled halfway between security and unraveling. He caught the cord and tugged the boat, wooden craft listlessly following his stumbling path toward shore. When he was again knee deep, he lifted his eyes to look for Sakura, but found the emptiness in which she was a moment before. "Where?" He flinched as a hand touched his shoulder, twisting around to meet Sakura's smirk. "How'd you get here?" She parted her lips to answer but Syaoran let his eyes stray downward, frown settling on his features. "You're knee deep in mud."
"I think that much is obvious, don't you?" Sakura pecked him on the cheek, giggling at the red that seeped over his face. "You still can't get over the blushing; I must be a hell of a kisser."
Syaoran strove to remain calm, letting the heat seep from his cheeks. "N-no." He decided to take the offensive again, fearing the awkward silence that seemed to wish to settle. "And you're still in the mud."
Sakura rolled her eyes playfully. "I didn't think it was fair for you to be all wet and alone so I decided to join you." She got up on her tiptoes, trying to lift herself higher. "Now help me in like a gentleman."
It was Syaoran's turn to roll his eyes. "Here you go madam." He went to give a hand to Sakura as she grabbed onto the tilting boat. "Wait, I don't think the boat will hold."
Sakura cast a stubborn glace. "It'll hold; I know it will."
A wave of water flooded Syaoran as he stared dismally through water-clogged eyes to his now soaked shirt. He knew what happened, his suspicions confirmed as he looked up to see an overturned boat, oars floating around his calf. "Sakura?"
The boat hinged open, the darkened space underneath revealing her figure, hair strung through with moisture, dress now clinging to her tightly. She blushed an intense pink, a low ripple of laughter starting to flow from her throat. "Don't you dare say anything Syaoran, not a thing."
Syaoran snapped his mouth shut, watching Sakura stamp to the edge of the lake, twisting the water from her clothes and hair. He quietly pulled the boat to the shore, suppressing the wild urge to fall into the blue waters and gurgle out the laughs that were threatening to burst. Finally, he managed to subdue himself and planted the rowboat thickly into the shore's mud, taking the oars and flinging them into the cavity with a clunk.
_____________________________________________________
Wet and wrinkled Sakura laid back against the sanded wood of the rowboat, taking glances around her as the trees ruffled and small waves rocked. "It's nice isn't it, Syaoran?"
Syaoran exhaled slowly, letting the oars rest in the water, a near smile laying claim across his features. "I'll admit it's really very nice."
Sakura shot out an arm, grasping Syaoran's hand and dragged him to her side. He was inches from her face, as she closed her eyes. Syaoran sucked in a quick breath, unsure of what do in the close proximity, but found himself pulled along by Sakura's will. She leaned upward, meeting his lips in a quiet kiss. Pulling away, she watched his deadpan face. "Something wrong?"
Syaoran felt the emotions rise up, the congestion of confusion and pleasure vying for recognition. He liked it, something soft and gradual, like a rolling wave, but he was confused entirely. Why was she kissing him? As he tried to voice his questions, his eyes landed on Sakura's face, an expression of uncertainty drifting across her mouth. There was something wrong and Sakura knew it. The boat had stopped drifting, now standstill in the suddenly green thick water, oars choked by lashing algae. Syaoran reached to Sakura but it was too late.
"Gomen." She disappeared into the wind, body blowing away like grains of sand.
_________________________________________________
Syaoran snapped his eyes open, peering through the lightening darkness into the recesses of his bedroom. He rolled over, the images cascading around his senses. But he was tired. With a slight smile, he closed his eyes once again, feeling his breathing falling into the familiar pattern.
___________________________________________________
A figure yawned into dawn, a surge of nervous tension gripping his insides, twisting with the pleasurable pain of inspiration. Throwing the light sheets off to the dusty floor, he stalked quickly across his bedroom, tool in hand. The sun lipped over the jagged edge of Tomoeda buildings and sliced across the taught canvass fabric. Shutting his eyes for a moment, the vividness and tangibility tingled along his skin, jerking his hands to movement, eyes darting between reality and memory. A blue sky, two lovers rowing, twisting and strangling plant ropes. The sun was scorching in its midday arc when he let the brush fall from his hands, the painting glistening in its wet completion. With an extended sigh, he let his eyes half shut, the tension ebbing from his body and dripping into the surroundings. A small smile lit his mouth, lines of his face twisted cruelly, only tempered by the unbounded satisfaction flickering in his eyes. He breathed the aromas of oil paints, leaning back against his chair and staring endlessly at his new masterpiece. A perfect addition to his growing collection.
___________________________________________________
Author's Notes: Yay! Finally got off my lazy bum to do this. Please review?