Nightmare or Sweet-dream?
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A fast moving shadow, or rather, a wolf, darted through the forest like a gust of winds, and stopped by a lake. The wolf gazed at the silver moon with his fierce amber eyes, and gives out a long howl. Another full moon, Syaoran thought to himself, like the night when Sakura was born. How is she now? She would be a young dog by now, well loved by many, and well bred, unlike him, carrying the responsibility of the leader of the Li clan all by himself, well, Eriol helps him as well, though his 'helping' is usually causing more problem for him to look after. Full moon, cold and mysterious, like the night when Nadesiko was killed, and he out caste. What would Sakura think of him now, friend or foe? He had given her the promise, that he will be by her side no matter what, but it was him that had caused her mother's death! Syaoran lain down, rested his head on his forelegs and slowly drifted into a sleep. His last thought, was of Sakura.
---
The little amber-eyed looked at the honey-brown fur ball in front of him. He frowned as he studied the fur ball in curiosity. Just then, Fujitaka and Nadesiko had become his foster parents, which means... this fur ball, only about one week old with eyes not even oped yet, is his foster sister? Extending his paw, he poked the little fur ball lightly. The fur ball wriggled and squeaked her reply.
Sakura was having a nice sun nap. Suddenly, the sun was blocked by another presence. The 'shadow' sniffed her and poked her lightly with a paw. She squeaked and wriggled, trying to escape. Her eyes were not open yet, so she could see nothing, but she felt his presence and his autumn scent. A sudden feeling made her wanting to see the shadow before her, so she tried to open her eyes. After many times of trying, she finally succeed.
Syaoran looked at the fur ball with tilted head. Suddenly, the fur ball's eyes opened and emerald meets amber. Emerald... innocent, and full of love. A warm feeling started growing somewhere in his heart.
Her eyes slowly opened to lock sight with a pair of amber eyes, cold and emotionless. For some unknown reason, Sakura liked the owner of these eyes immediately. Her instinct told her that the owner of those eyes has a warm heart, but she doesn't understand why those eyes contain no warmth. I will change that, Sakura decided. Playfully, she poked out her tongue, and licked the nose of the-owner-of-the-amber-eyes.
Syaoran yelped in surprise and jumped back a little. Warmth passed through his heart, and he blushed bright red. What just happened there? He felt confused. He looked at the little fur ball again, who is now staggering to stand up. He advanced closer to the little fur ball.
Sakura tried to stand up. She wants to run and jump like the amber-eyed did, but she couldn't, because her limbs are still feeble. She fell on the floor with a thump; she whined, and tried again. This time, the amber-eyed helped her.
He couldn't stand to hear her whining; it makes his heart tighten with... What is he thinking of? He shook his head to shake the thought away, and concentrate on helping Sakura to stand up.
--- ---
The morning sun shone warmly on Syaoran, as he woke up slowly. He gave a lazy yawn, and looked up at the sky to check the position of the sun- midway through the morning. Syaoran swore under his breath while jumping up in alarm and ran. He is prepared to hear Eriol, Tomoyo and Meiling's complains and questions when he gets back.
Syaoran ran through the forest like a guest of wind, jumping over the logs and dodging bushes, all in one swift move. All these trainings had made him a fierce merciless fighter, and of course, the best at physic- either his look, or his strength. His amber eyes where of wolves, emotionless, cold and merciless. His body is of wolves, longer then the dogs and his legs are strong, quick and powerful. Syaoran, like his name, looks like a wolf all over, but a part of his heart is still of a dog, the part that yarned for love and care. Not only the love of a family or a group but also, of a mate.
Syaoran ran on steadily, but thoughts were whirling in his mind. Why had he dreamt about Sakura again? Could it be that something has happened to her? Or could it be... 'Stop your daydream, Syaoran.' Syaoran scolded himself, and concentrated his mind on running faster. It was then, that he heard a small whining. Syaoran jolted to a stop and started to search for the source of the whining, and found it behind a bush- from a honey brown fur ball. (doesn't the name "fur ball" sounds funi??? ^.^)
Syaoran was stunned. Could it be? Could it be... "Sakura!" Syaoran breathed words out. He wasn't too surprised when the fur ball reacted to the call.
"Who... who are... you?" Her voice came out in a tiny whisper.
"Don't worry about who I am right now, but look at you. You're hurt! Sakura, why can't you look after yourself?" Syaoran blurted the words out, worried by Sakura's state.
Sakura giggled lightly. "It is you, Syaoran. You're still alive!" She said happily, satisfied, but her words were fading away, so was her conscious. "You don't know how happy I am to see you, Syaoran." That was the last thing she said before everything blacked out.
"Same here, Sakura. You don't know how happy I am to see you." Syaoran whispered to himself. Gently, he picked the unconscious dog up, and continued his way home.
---
They were hunting. Her, Father, and the Two-Legger. The weather was getting bad; she could smell it in the air. It was then, that the Two-Legger told them that they could go home first if they wanted to, or they can stay around for another hunt. The Two-Legger was a friend more then an owner -Neo, he was called- he said so himself. He had told her, and Father, that they are free, and can leave his house, and his home, at anytime they want. Father wanted to stay with him; she had asked why, and Father told her, that after Mother's death, Neo was the only friend he has. She had asked, "What about me?" and he had answered, "You, my dear, will one day finds the one you love, and you will then be his." She tried to ask what it means, but Father said that she will understand it in time, and wouldn't say anything more.
So Father went home, but she stayed behind, though not with Neo but alone. She wondered everywhere, exploring places that she'd never been before. Then she was lost. She smelt the air, trying to find the way home- when a scent caught her attention. The scent was a familiar one, one that makes her feels safe. She followed it.
Maybe it was because she was so concentrated in her 'smelling to search the owner of the scent' she didn't notice the shadow that was forming around her. But when she noticed, it was too late. A group of wolves had surrounded her. She got herself ready, prepared for a battle. A dodge, attack, and dodge again. Her movements where swift. Father was her teacher; he had told her that he was proud of her. Father was the one that taught "him" his skill as well. She missed "him" dearly. Father had told her how her mother had died- to protect "him", and he had left feeling bad. Father said that both him and Mother didn't regret what had happened. The pass cannot be rewritten, but the future can be changed.
Another attack came, aiming at her. She dodged it easily, and started to think for a next move. Her teeth wouldn't be as strong as a wolf's, but she is definitely more cunning then they will ever be, so the best way to get out of this mess unharmed would be to run. As she looked for a way out, something that she heard shook her.
"Look at her moves! If she wasn't a dog, I would think that she is related to Syaoran is some way!"
She froze, for a mere second, and came back to her senses, but she wasn't fast enough though. A mere second gave one of her opponent a chance of attack. She howled as the pain shot through her body, but the pain was not so important. Nothing was too important now, not as important as finding Syaoran. She stopped all her attacking, and changed into defence mode. More pain shot through her, and, there! She shot out of the circle of wolves and fled.
She wasn't clear why the wolves didn't follow her, but at the time, it hasn't seemed important to her anyway. All she wanted to know, is Syaoran. Where has he been? How has he been? Many questions where in her mind, but there were no answer.
She felt tired, and the wounds were getting worse...
A shadow covered the sun that shone on her, and a voice called softly, "Sakura?"
"Who... who are... you?" Her voice came out in a tiny whisper. This... feels like the first time when they met, when she was a little pup.
"Don't worry about who I am right now, but look at you. You're hurt! Sakura, why can't you look after yourself?" Syaoran blurted the words out, worried by Sakura's state.
Sakura giggled lightly. "It is you, Syaoran. You're still alive!" She said happily, satisfied, but her words were fading away, so was her conscious. "You don't know how happy I am to see you, Syaoran." That was the last thing she said before everything blacked out.
Sakura's eyes snapped open. "Syaoran!" she called. Was it a dream? Or did she really saw Syaoran?
Another wolf, one that she hadn't seen before, came into her view. "Syaoran and Eriol are outside. Here, drink some water." She nudged a bowl of water to her. "My name is Tomoyo, nice to meet you."
"Sakura, nice to meet you too." Sakura replied, and looked around curiously. "Where am I? What happened? Where is Syaoran? Wh..." she didn't get to finish sentence- it was interrupted by Tomoyo.
"Wait, wait. Speak it slow, so I can answer your questions one at the time." Tomoyo's violet eyes were merry, and her long, glossy grey coat of fur moved with her each single movement. "You, are in Syaoran, our leader's cave. Syaoran is outside, and no, I don't know what happened. You'll need to ask Syaoran that yourself." She smiled at her.
A rush of footsteps ran into the cave, and a head popped out from the entrance. The wolf has ruby-red eyes and jet-black coat of fur. "You're awake!" The newcomer shouted aloud, excited. "Hi, allow me to introduce myself. The name is Meiling."
"Sakura." Was all she could say, for she was... rather stunned by Meiling's 'energetic'.
--- ---
Outside the cave, there were two wolves. One, with fierce, which now contains worry, amber eyes and a coat of messy brown fur, and the other one with blue eyes and dark blue -so dark that it sometimes looks like black- coat of fur. The amber-eyed wolf prowled to and forth in front of the entrance of the cave, and the other one just sat there, silently looking at the amber-eyed wolf.
The amber-eyed stopped its prowling and glared at the sitting wolf. "What are you looking at, Eriol?" Syaoran growled at him.
The sitting wolf shrugged, "Nothing, just thinking." Eriol replied.
A call came from inside the cave- Meiling's voice. "You're awake!" Hearing this, Syaoran was clearly relieved, as he stopped his prowling and lay down. The corer of Eriol's mouth went up in a smile.
"So, who is this Sakura?" Eriol asked. "I see that she is very special to you." Syaoran jerked his head up and locked eyes with Eriol. They held their position for a while, then Syaoran looked away, and stayed silenced.
Out of the whole clan, Eriol, Meiling and Tomoyo are the only ones that dared to speak to him thus. The whole clan feared him, admire him and relied on him, but none of them thought of him as someone that needed love, someone that needed friends to support him. All expect for them- Eriol, Meiling and Tomoyo. Eriol and Meiling are both Syaoran's cousins- and they are brothers and sisters. Their father was Syaoran's mother Yelen's little brother, though Eriol and Meiling are both elder then Syaoran. Tomoyo was a close friend of Meiling's, though she always pays extra care for Syaoran and Eriol. Eriol was a brainworker- not that Syaoran is not or anything, but that Eriol is the cleverest wolf in the clan. Syaoran is best at physical abilities; hunting, fighting, nothing is too hard for him. Yet he might be good at all (well, almost) things, but his relations certainly needed help- guess nothing is ever perfect.
"So who is she?" Eriol asked again.
"She... she is the only daughter of my foster parents... and a friend." What he didn't say was that Sakura was not only a friend, but a close friend, and someone very special to him. "Her mother died protecting me." His voice wobbled a little.
"I see." Eriol looked concerned. "Anything else?" He wants to hear it out of Syaoran's mouth, that she, Sakura, is not only a friend.
Syaoran looked away. "No."
Eriol nodded, though Syaoran didn't see because he had his back turned on Eriol. "I'll go and check on her." Without waiting for an answer, Eriol went into the cave, leaving Syaoran to lay outside by himself, deep in thought.
---
Eriol observed during Sakura's recovery. Wherever Sakura is, the atmosphere is always merry and peaceful. She has the ability to make animals love, and to trust her, like her. Meiling was a big example, for she doesn't trust easily yet Sakura seems to change that, since she gained Meiling's trust on the very first day.
Eriol told this to Tomoyo, who, in her term, told him that Sakura is very special, to the whole clan, as well as...
Syaoran.
---
Sakura yawned. Her wounds are pretty much recovered, but everyone is still worried about her, and wouldn't let her do as much activities as she wanted- like today, when she wanted to go out hunting with the clan but was refused. If it was the others that refused her, she could have talked them into taking her with them, but it was Syaoran's order for her to stay.
At the thought of Syaoran, Sakura's eyes saddened. Ever since he saved her, she hasn't seem him at all- all her messages to him are sent by Tomoyo, Meiling and Eriol.
Why, wouldn't he see her? She knows he sometimes come, when she is asleep and never when she is awake. Why? Why would he do that? Her emerald was full of confusion. Oh, oh, oh! This is too confusing! She had better get back to sleep, or the whole clan would be unhappy when they know that she hasn't been resting today.
She closed her eyes as sleep approached her slowly. A shadow shifted into the cave. Sakura sniffed the air. He's here. She can tell, from his autumn scent. He walked near her, and lightly, he licked her nose.
---
Four wolves sat in a cave; a meeting is going on-
"She needs to leave." Syaoran announced from where he sat.
"Why?" Meiling asked. "Can't she stay any longer?"
"No, she needs to leave." Syaoran announced again, emotionless.
"Then can you tell us why?" Tomoyo said softly.
"She needs to leave. This place is too dangerous, she cannot stay." His voice is cold and motionless as ever.
"This, I quite agree with you," Eriol said slowly. Meiling and Tomoyo shot him a glare. He is not supposed be on Syaoran's side, but on their's! "But, you also forgot the fact that her fighting skills are taught by her Father, who has, also taught you your fighting skills." Eriol concluded.
"So what do you want?" Syaoran glared at them.
"We want her to stay!" Tomoyo and Meiling said together.
"No." Syaoran turned his head away from them.
"Why?" Meiling growled. She glared at Syaoran, then, she ran out of the cave.
"Meiling!" Tomoyo called after the ruby-eyed wolf. "Syaoran, you are always right, but this time, I don't understand what you are thinking!" with that, she left to chase after Meiling.
Syaoran looked at Eriol, motionless towards Meiling and Tomoyo's leave.
Eriol shrugged, and Syaoran looked away again. "I'll leave you to think yourself. You know what to do best." He said in his low voice. "Just remember, no matter what you do, I'll always be your friend, and always be on your side."
Syaoran nodded stiffly.
Silently, Eriol left.
In the other side of the cave, Syaoran made his decision.
---
Scratch, scratch. That was the noise Sakura made while fiddling with things. Sakura was board, very board. CAN'T THEY LET HER OUT? She is bored! Her wound has already recovered! She is in perfect condition! Scratch, scratch.
Behind her, where the entrance is, someone entered the cave. "Tomoyo, can I PLEASE go out?" she pleaded, turning around- though what she saw shocked her. I was Syaoran. "Err... hello."
"Hello." He replied. A long silence followed. "I'm sorry."
"Huh?" Sakura looked up, surprised. Her eyes lock sight with his, and her heart skipped a beat. She looked away, blushing and baffled with herself. "What for?"
"For... Mother."
Sakura smiled, as she looked at him again. "That's ok." She replied. Suddenly, she giggled. Syaoran raised an eyebrow at her. "I never thought this would be the thing we said when we speak after a year of separation."
Hearing this, Syaoran smiled too. "What did you think it would be?" It, meaning the talk they would have.
"Well," Sakura said thinking, "I thought... maybe asking about what happened to us in the pass months."
"Then, I would ask you, how are you?" Syaoran smiled.
"Me? Oh, I'm fine, you know, hunting and stuff, like before." Sakura answered carelessly. "How about you? It seems to me, that you had a very fun life over here." Her eyes shone with excitement.
Syaoran chuckled, shaking his head helplessly. Sakura hasn't changed at all- the same energetic, same curiosity. "As you can see, I have been chosen by my Grandfather to be the Leader of the Li Clan."
"How come?"
"My mother, Yelen was the youngest daughter of the last Li Leader. However, she looked nothing like a wolf, but more like a dog. One day, she was attacked by another clan, who wanted to take her as their leader's mate. She, of course, refused. She fought, but was hurt. A man and his dog passed by and saved her, took her home and looked after her. She fell in love with the man's dog, who was, my father.
"Later she gave birth to my three sisters and I- that was when every thing changed. My sisters all have the same look as Mother and Father, but I looked like my Grandfather. The man had thought mother as a purebred dog, but as he saw me, he knew that she was a wolf. He killed all my sisters, and as he was going to kill my mother, father tried to protect her. They died together. The man was annoyed, and tried to kill me as well, I ran away. But I was caught. It was when I was going to be killed, that Neo saved me, and brought me home."
"I... am sorry." Sakura nudged him lightly, comforting him.
Syaoran shook his head, "It was all history."
They sat silently, content in each other's company.
---
"Sakura..." Tomoyo started, but failed.
"Yes?" Sakura tilted her head. Tomoyo and Meiling have been trying to tell her something... but it seems that they don't know where to start.
"Do you miss your family?" Meiling asked.
"Yes." What kind of question is this?
"So, you want to go home?" Meiling feels like howling into the sky.
Sakura's tail dropped. "You want me to leave?"
"No, no, we don't want you to leave." Tomoyo added hastily.
"What they mean is, that this is a dangerous place and you shouldn't stay here." Eriol's voice came from outside the cave. He knew that leaving this job to Tomoyo and Meiling would take forever, so he came to help, after all, Syaoran decided to send Sakura back, but even he himself doesn't have the courage to face Sakura.
"Oh." Sakura dropped onto the round. "I understand..." So, he wants to send her back, huh? Doesn't he trust her to protect herself? Can't he see that she wants to stay?
"We still welcome you!" that was Meiling.
"You are still our friend!" that was Tomoyo.
Sakura waved her tail, once. "Oh... I know." She felt tired. "Can I have a rest before we leave?" she closed her eyes.
"Sakura..." Meiling tried to say something. Someone nudged her. She looked back; it was Tomoyo, shaking her head at her.
They left silently.
In the wide cave, everything seemed so empty. Sakura felt alone. Can't Syaoran see that she wants to stay with him? She doesn't want to leave him! She screamed in her heart. A whine escaped her mouth. Better go, then. After all, she is not welcome here, why stay?
---
Outside, a wolf was going through the same emotion. Syaoran was hiding outside the cave, behind a bush through out the whole conversation. He doesn't want her to go! But what can he do? His life is a dangerous one, and he doesn't want her to get hurt. He hid there, in the bush, motionless. He still feels guilty towards Sakura- if it wasn't for him, Nadesiko would have lived. Besides, their bloodline doesn't allow them to be together. He has wolf-blood in him. Nothing can change that.
I guess this is a sweet-nightmare...
--- ---
A/N YYYEEESSSS!!! I finally finished chapter 3!!! Muahahahahaa!!! Recently I have been playing around a lot... (not supposed to be doing that, but hey!) and I have fallen in love with DARK & DAISUKE from D.N.Angel !!! they are sooooo adorable!!!
-Syaoyue 4th August
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A fast moving shadow, or rather, a wolf, darted through the forest like a gust of winds, and stopped by a lake. The wolf gazed at the silver moon with his fierce amber eyes, and gives out a long howl. Another full moon, Syaoran thought to himself, like the night when Sakura was born. How is she now? She would be a young dog by now, well loved by many, and well bred, unlike him, carrying the responsibility of the leader of the Li clan all by himself, well, Eriol helps him as well, though his 'helping' is usually causing more problem for him to look after. Full moon, cold and mysterious, like the night when Nadesiko was killed, and he out caste. What would Sakura think of him now, friend or foe? He had given her the promise, that he will be by her side no matter what, but it was him that had caused her mother's death! Syaoran lain down, rested his head on his forelegs and slowly drifted into a sleep. His last thought, was of Sakura.
---
The little amber-eyed looked at the honey-brown fur ball in front of him. He frowned as he studied the fur ball in curiosity. Just then, Fujitaka and Nadesiko had become his foster parents, which means... this fur ball, only about one week old with eyes not even oped yet, is his foster sister? Extending his paw, he poked the little fur ball lightly. The fur ball wriggled and squeaked her reply.
Sakura was having a nice sun nap. Suddenly, the sun was blocked by another presence. The 'shadow' sniffed her and poked her lightly with a paw. She squeaked and wriggled, trying to escape. Her eyes were not open yet, so she could see nothing, but she felt his presence and his autumn scent. A sudden feeling made her wanting to see the shadow before her, so she tried to open her eyes. After many times of trying, she finally succeed.
Syaoran looked at the fur ball with tilted head. Suddenly, the fur ball's eyes opened and emerald meets amber. Emerald... innocent, and full of love. A warm feeling started growing somewhere in his heart.
Her eyes slowly opened to lock sight with a pair of amber eyes, cold and emotionless. For some unknown reason, Sakura liked the owner of these eyes immediately. Her instinct told her that the owner of those eyes has a warm heart, but she doesn't understand why those eyes contain no warmth. I will change that, Sakura decided. Playfully, she poked out her tongue, and licked the nose of the-owner-of-the-amber-eyes.
Syaoran yelped in surprise and jumped back a little. Warmth passed through his heart, and he blushed bright red. What just happened there? He felt confused. He looked at the little fur ball again, who is now staggering to stand up. He advanced closer to the little fur ball.
Sakura tried to stand up. She wants to run and jump like the amber-eyed did, but she couldn't, because her limbs are still feeble. She fell on the floor with a thump; she whined, and tried again. This time, the amber-eyed helped her.
He couldn't stand to hear her whining; it makes his heart tighten with... What is he thinking of? He shook his head to shake the thought away, and concentrate on helping Sakura to stand up.
--- ---
The morning sun shone warmly on Syaoran, as he woke up slowly. He gave a lazy yawn, and looked up at the sky to check the position of the sun- midway through the morning. Syaoran swore under his breath while jumping up in alarm and ran. He is prepared to hear Eriol, Tomoyo and Meiling's complains and questions when he gets back.
Syaoran ran through the forest like a guest of wind, jumping over the logs and dodging bushes, all in one swift move. All these trainings had made him a fierce merciless fighter, and of course, the best at physic- either his look, or his strength. His amber eyes where of wolves, emotionless, cold and merciless. His body is of wolves, longer then the dogs and his legs are strong, quick and powerful. Syaoran, like his name, looks like a wolf all over, but a part of his heart is still of a dog, the part that yarned for love and care. Not only the love of a family or a group but also, of a mate.
Syaoran ran on steadily, but thoughts were whirling in his mind. Why had he dreamt about Sakura again? Could it be that something has happened to her? Or could it be... 'Stop your daydream, Syaoran.' Syaoran scolded himself, and concentrated his mind on running faster. It was then, that he heard a small whining. Syaoran jolted to a stop and started to search for the source of the whining, and found it behind a bush- from a honey brown fur ball. (doesn't the name "fur ball" sounds funi??? ^.^)
Syaoran was stunned. Could it be? Could it be... "Sakura!" Syaoran breathed words out. He wasn't too surprised when the fur ball reacted to the call.
"Who... who are... you?" Her voice came out in a tiny whisper.
"Don't worry about who I am right now, but look at you. You're hurt! Sakura, why can't you look after yourself?" Syaoran blurted the words out, worried by Sakura's state.
Sakura giggled lightly. "It is you, Syaoran. You're still alive!" She said happily, satisfied, but her words were fading away, so was her conscious. "You don't know how happy I am to see you, Syaoran." That was the last thing she said before everything blacked out.
"Same here, Sakura. You don't know how happy I am to see you." Syaoran whispered to himself. Gently, he picked the unconscious dog up, and continued his way home.
---
They were hunting. Her, Father, and the Two-Legger. The weather was getting bad; she could smell it in the air. It was then, that the Two-Legger told them that they could go home first if they wanted to, or they can stay around for another hunt. The Two-Legger was a friend more then an owner -Neo, he was called- he said so himself. He had told her, and Father, that they are free, and can leave his house, and his home, at anytime they want. Father wanted to stay with him; she had asked why, and Father told her, that after Mother's death, Neo was the only friend he has. She had asked, "What about me?" and he had answered, "You, my dear, will one day finds the one you love, and you will then be his." She tried to ask what it means, but Father said that she will understand it in time, and wouldn't say anything more.
So Father went home, but she stayed behind, though not with Neo but alone. She wondered everywhere, exploring places that she'd never been before. Then she was lost. She smelt the air, trying to find the way home- when a scent caught her attention. The scent was a familiar one, one that makes her feels safe. She followed it.
Maybe it was because she was so concentrated in her 'smelling to search the owner of the scent' she didn't notice the shadow that was forming around her. But when she noticed, it was too late. A group of wolves had surrounded her. She got herself ready, prepared for a battle. A dodge, attack, and dodge again. Her movements where swift. Father was her teacher; he had told her that he was proud of her. Father was the one that taught "him" his skill as well. She missed "him" dearly. Father had told her how her mother had died- to protect "him", and he had left feeling bad. Father said that both him and Mother didn't regret what had happened. The pass cannot be rewritten, but the future can be changed.
Another attack came, aiming at her. She dodged it easily, and started to think for a next move. Her teeth wouldn't be as strong as a wolf's, but she is definitely more cunning then they will ever be, so the best way to get out of this mess unharmed would be to run. As she looked for a way out, something that she heard shook her.
"Look at her moves! If she wasn't a dog, I would think that she is related to Syaoran is some way!"
She froze, for a mere second, and came back to her senses, but she wasn't fast enough though. A mere second gave one of her opponent a chance of attack. She howled as the pain shot through her body, but the pain was not so important. Nothing was too important now, not as important as finding Syaoran. She stopped all her attacking, and changed into defence mode. More pain shot through her, and, there! She shot out of the circle of wolves and fled.
She wasn't clear why the wolves didn't follow her, but at the time, it hasn't seemed important to her anyway. All she wanted to know, is Syaoran. Where has he been? How has he been? Many questions where in her mind, but there were no answer.
She felt tired, and the wounds were getting worse...
A shadow covered the sun that shone on her, and a voice called softly, "Sakura?"
"Who... who are... you?" Her voice came out in a tiny whisper. This... feels like the first time when they met, when she was a little pup.
"Don't worry about who I am right now, but look at you. You're hurt! Sakura, why can't you look after yourself?" Syaoran blurted the words out, worried by Sakura's state.
Sakura giggled lightly. "It is you, Syaoran. You're still alive!" She said happily, satisfied, but her words were fading away, so was her conscious. "You don't know how happy I am to see you, Syaoran." That was the last thing she said before everything blacked out.
Sakura's eyes snapped open. "Syaoran!" she called. Was it a dream? Or did she really saw Syaoran?
Another wolf, one that she hadn't seen before, came into her view. "Syaoran and Eriol are outside. Here, drink some water." She nudged a bowl of water to her. "My name is Tomoyo, nice to meet you."
"Sakura, nice to meet you too." Sakura replied, and looked around curiously. "Where am I? What happened? Where is Syaoran? Wh..." she didn't get to finish sentence- it was interrupted by Tomoyo.
"Wait, wait. Speak it slow, so I can answer your questions one at the time." Tomoyo's violet eyes were merry, and her long, glossy grey coat of fur moved with her each single movement. "You, are in Syaoran, our leader's cave. Syaoran is outside, and no, I don't know what happened. You'll need to ask Syaoran that yourself." She smiled at her.
A rush of footsteps ran into the cave, and a head popped out from the entrance. The wolf has ruby-red eyes and jet-black coat of fur. "You're awake!" The newcomer shouted aloud, excited. "Hi, allow me to introduce myself. The name is Meiling."
"Sakura." Was all she could say, for she was... rather stunned by Meiling's 'energetic'.
--- ---
Outside the cave, there were two wolves. One, with fierce, which now contains worry, amber eyes and a coat of messy brown fur, and the other one with blue eyes and dark blue -so dark that it sometimes looks like black- coat of fur. The amber-eyed wolf prowled to and forth in front of the entrance of the cave, and the other one just sat there, silently looking at the amber-eyed wolf.
The amber-eyed stopped its prowling and glared at the sitting wolf. "What are you looking at, Eriol?" Syaoran growled at him.
The sitting wolf shrugged, "Nothing, just thinking." Eriol replied.
A call came from inside the cave- Meiling's voice. "You're awake!" Hearing this, Syaoran was clearly relieved, as he stopped his prowling and lay down. The corer of Eriol's mouth went up in a smile.
"So, who is this Sakura?" Eriol asked. "I see that she is very special to you." Syaoran jerked his head up and locked eyes with Eriol. They held their position for a while, then Syaoran looked away, and stayed silenced.
Out of the whole clan, Eriol, Meiling and Tomoyo are the only ones that dared to speak to him thus. The whole clan feared him, admire him and relied on him, but none of them thought of him as someone that needed love, someone that needed friends to support him. All expect for them- Eriol, Meiling and Tomoyo. Eriol and Meiling are both Syaoran's cousins- and they are brothers and sisters. Their father was Syaoran's mother Yelen's little brother, though Eriol and Meiling are both elder then Syaoran. Tomoyo was a close friend of Meiling's, though she always pays extra care for Syaoran and Eriol. Eriol was a brainworker- not that Syaoran is not or anything, but that Eriol is the cleverest wolf in the clan. Syaoran is best at physical abilities; hunting, fighting, nothing is too hard for him. Yet he might be good at all (well, almost) things, but his relations certainly needed help- guess nothing is ever perfect.
"So who is she?" Eriol asked again.
"She... she is the only daughter of my foster parents... and a friend." What he didn't say was that Sakura was not only a friend, but a close friend, and someone very special to him. "Her mother died protecting me." His voice wobbled a little.
"I see." Eriol looked concerned. "Anything else?" He wants to hear it out of Syaoran's mouth, that she, Sakura, is not only a friend.
Syaoran looked away. "No."
Eriol nodded, though Syaoran didn't see because he had his back turned on Eriol. "I'll go and check on her." Without waiting for an answer, Eriol went into the cave, leaving Syaoran to lay outside by himself, deep in thought.
---
Eriol observed during Sakura's recovery. Wherever Sakura is, the atmosphere is always merry and peaceful. She has the ability to make animals love, and to trust her, like her. Meiling was a big example, for she doesn't trust easily yet Sakura seems to change that, since she gained Meiling's trust on the very first day.
Eriol told this to Tomoyo, who, in her term, told him that Sakura is very special, to the whole clan, as well as...
Syaoran.
---
Sakura yawned. Her wounds are pretty much recovered, but everyone is still worried about her, and wouldn't let her do as much activities as she wanted- like today, when she wanted to go out hunting with the clan but was refused. If it was the others that refused her, she could have talked them into taking her with them, but it was Syaoran's order for her to stay.
At the thought of Syaoran, Sakura's eyes saddened. Ever since he saved her, she hasn't seem him at all- all her messages to him are sent by Tomoyo, Meiling and Eriol.
Why, wouldn't he see her? She knows he sometimes come, when she is asleep and never when she is awake. Why? Why would he do that? Her emerald was full of confusion. Oh, oh, oh! This is too confusing! She had better get back to sleep, or the whole clan would be unhappy when they know that she hasn't been resting today.
She closed her eyes as sleep approached her slowly. A shadow shifted into the cave. Sakura sniffed the air. He's here. She can tell, from his autumn scent. He walked near her, and lightly, he licked her nose.
---
Four wolves sat in a cave; a meeting is going on-
"She needs to leave." Syaoran announced from where he sat.
"Why?" Meiling asked. "Can't she stay any longer?"
"No, she needs to leave." Syaoran announced again, emotionless.
"Then can you tell us why?" Tomoyo said softly.
"She needs to leave. This place is too dangerous, she cannot stay." His voice is cold and motionless as ever.
"This, I quite agree with you," Eriol said slowly. Meiling and Tomoyo shot him a glare. He is not supposed be on Syaoran's side, but on their's! "But, you also forgot the fact that her fighting skills are taught by her Father, who has, also taught you your fighting skills." Eriol concluded.
"So what do you want?" Syaoran glared at them.
"We want her to stay!" Tomoyo and Meiling said together.
"No." Syaoran turned his head away from them.
"Why?" Meiling growled. She glared at Syaoran, then, she ran out of the cave.
"Meiling!" Tomoyo called after the ruby-eyed wolf. "Syaoran, you are always right, but this time, I don't understand what you are thinking!" with that, she left to chase after Meiling.
Syaoran looked at Eriol, motionless towards Meiling and Tomoyo's leave.
Eriol shrugged, and Syaoran looked away again. "I'll leave you to think yourself. You know what to do best." He said in his low voice. "Just remember, no matter what you do, I'll always be your friend, and always be on your side."
Syaoran nodded stiffly.
Silently, Eriol left.
In the other side of the cave, Syaoran made his decision.
---
Scratch, scratch. That was the noise Sakura made while fiddling with things. Sakura was board, very board. CAN'T THEY LET HER OUT? She is bored! Her wound has already recovered! She is in perfect condition! Scratch, scratch.
Behind her, where the entrance is, someone entered the cave. "Tomoyo, can I PLEASE go out?" she pleaded, turning around- though what she saw shocked her. I was Syaoran. "Err... hello."
"Hello." He replied. A long silence followed. "I'm sorry."
"Huh?" Sakura looked up, surprised. Her eyes lock sight with his, and her heart skipped a beat. She looked away, blushing and baffled with herself. "What for?"
"For... Mother."
Sakura smiled, as she looked at him again. "That's ok." She replied. Suddenly, she giggled. Syaoran raised an eyebrow at her. "I never thought this would be the thing we said when we speak after a year of separation."
Hearing this, Syaoran smiled too. "What did you think it would be?" It, meaning the talk they would have.
"Well," Sakura said thinking, "I thought... maybe asking about what happened to us in the pass months."
"Then, I would ask you, how are you?" Syaoran smiled.
"Me? Oh, I'm fine, you know, hunting and stuff, like before." Sakura answered carelessly. "How about you? It seems to me, that you had a very fun life over here." Her eyes shone with excitement.
Syaoran chuckled, shaking his head helplessly. Sakura hasn't changed at all- the same energetic, same curiosity. "As you can see, I have been chosen by my Grandfather to be the Leader of the Li Clan."
"How come?"
"My mother, Yelen was the youngest daughter of the last Li Leader. However, she looked nothing like a wolf, but more like a dog. One day, she was attacked by another clan, who wanted to take her as their leader's mate. She, of course, refused. She fought, but was hurt. A man and his dog passed by and saved her, took her home and looked after her. She fell in love with the man's dog, who was, my father.
"Later she gave birth to my three sisters and I- that was when every thing changed. My sisters all have the same look as Mother and Father, but I looked like my Grandfather. The man had thought mother as a purebred dog, but as he saw me, he knew that she was a wolf. He killed all my sisters, and as he was going to kill my mother, father tried to protect her. They died together. The man was annoyed, and tried to kill me as well, I ran away. But I was caught. It was when I was going to be killed, that Neo saved me, and brought me home."
"I... am sorry." Sakura nudged him lightly, comforting him.
Syaoran shook his head, "It was all history."
They sat silently, content in each other's company.
---
"Sakura..." Tomoyo started, but failed.
"Yes?" Sakura tilted her head. Tomoyo and Meiling have been trying to tell her something... but it seems that they don't know where to start.
"Do you miss your family?" Meiling asked.
"Yes." What kind of question is this?
"So, you want to go home?" Meiling feels like howling into the sky.
Sakura's tail dropped. "You want me to leave?"
"No, no, we don't want you to leave." Tomoyo added hastily.
"What they mean is, that this is a dangerous place and you shouldn't stay here." Eriol's voice came from outside the cave. He knew that leaving this job to Tomoyo and Meiling would take forever, so he came to help, after all, Syaoran decided to send Sakura back, but even he himself doesn't have the courage to face Sakura.
"Oh." Sakura dropped onto the round. "I understand..." So, he wants to send her back, huh? Doesn't he trust her to protect herself? Can't he see that she wants to stay?
"We still welcome you!" that was Meiling.
"You are still our friend!" that was Tomoyo.
Sakura waved her tail, once. "Oh... I know." She felt tired. "Can I have a rest before we leave?" she closed her eyes.
"Sakura..." Meiling tried to say something. Someone nudged her. She looked back; it was Tomoyo, shaking her head at her.
They left silently.
In the wide cave, everything seemed so empty. Sakura felt alone. Can't Syaoran see that she wants to stay with him? She doesn't want to leave him! She screamed in her heart. A whine escaped her mouth. Better go, then. After all, she is not welcome here, why stay?
---
Outside, a wolf was going through the same emotion. Syaoran was hiding outside the cave, behind a bush through out the whole conversation. He doesn't want her to go! But what can he do? His life is a dangerous one, and he doesn't want her to get hurt. He hid there, in the bush, motionless. He still feels guilty towards Sakura- if it wasn't for him, Nadesiko would have lived. Besides, their bloodline doesn't allow them to be together. He has wolf-blood in him. Nothing can change that.
I guess this is a sweet-nightmare...
--- ---
A/N YYYEEESSSS!!! I finally finished chapter 3!!! Muahahahahaa!!! Recently I have been playing around a lot... (not supposed to be doing that, but hey!) and I have fallen in love with DARK & DAISUKE from D.N.Angel !!! they are sooooo adorable!!!
-Syaoyue 4th August