Chap. 14: "Hala's Warning's of the Future"

Author's note: Hey.   The last chapter I posted I hadn't received any reviews in my box.  I freaked thinking that no one had reviewed it!  I had to check on ff.net.   You don't know how relieved I was when I found reviews LOL.  Not finding any reviews is an author's worst nightmare. 

Well I hope you enjoy this chapter.  I have about seven more to go.  I think I'm just guessing right now. 

The reason I couldn't have Hu be Jamie is because Jamie was made to be Mei Lin's match. 

And I couldn't have Jamie and Ying Fa in it because Ying Fa is Syaoran and Sakura's daughter, they don't have any kids yet.  And the only reason why I had Ying Fa and Jamie together in my other story Shuzoku was because Mei Lin and Jamie weren't together in it and I wrote it before Queen of the Wolves.

Story…

Tomoyo and Mei Lin struggled against the tentacles that were dragging them deeper into the water.  They lungs burnt from lack and air.   Tomoyo opened her mouth and swallowed feeling the water filling her lungs.  She knew that Mei Lin wouldn't be as lucky as her because she couldn't control water.

When they looked in the direction they were being dragged their eyes widened seeing the ghastly creature they were being pulled towards, it's mouth opening to welcome them.  Mei Lin screamed making the last of her air escape. 

She could feel herself start to give in to the darkness but tried to fight it.  When she was almost pulled into, an arrow made of water shot past her hitting the beast in the eye, it roared letting them go. 

Kicking free, they hurried to the surface. Mei Lin swan as fast as her body would allow, she felt faintish from the lack of air.  Breaking through the water, Mei Lin gasps for air spitting up water.  Her body ached all over, "Let's get out of here!" Tomoyo said swimming off.  The sky above them was covered with large storm clouds, and the air was thick with humidity.

Yeah" Mei Lin whispered flowing her.  She was almost next to Tomoyo when something wrapped around her legs.  "Ah!" she screamed feeling herself being pulled under.

"Mei Lin!" Tomoyo shouted reaching for her but Mei Lin's hand slipped through hers. "Mei Lin!" she screamed going under the water.   There was no sight of her friend, swimming farther under she couldn't make anything out because of the darkness.

She searched frantically, swimming deeper into the murky depths.  Still there was no sign of her friend, is seemed as if she had vanished in thin air.  "Water!" she shouted making it thrust her out of it.  She sat on the top, feeling tears burn her eyes. "Shore" she cried making it carries her towards shore.

"There's Tomoyo!" Rika shouted seeing their sister appear.  They were about to sigh when they noticed that Mei Lin was gone.

"Where's Mei Lin?" Takashi shouted pushing to the front.  Tomoyo stepped off the wave and unto the land falling to her knees in tears. "Tomoyo!?" he felt fear consume his soul knowing that they had lost her.

"I'm sorry I tried" Tomoyo said in a broken tone.  Sakura shook her head in disbelief.  This was not it, it couldn't be.  She looked at Syaoran, who looked down making her tears come.  He walked over to her, and she fell into his arms and cried softly.

"No" Takashi whispered not believing anything they said. "She's still alive dammit" he yelled in an angry tone. "She has to be alive" he found himself whispering.  And when it dawned on him that she might really be gone, he felt his heart break.  And it was then that he finally realized that he loved her, he had loved her.

"We have to look for her" Sakura spoke through tears. "We have to kill that thing, we have to" she spoke anger filling her words.

"I agree" Tomoyo whispered getting to her feet with Eriol's help.   She looked at the waters that were rough matching her mood.  Sakura walked next to Tomoyo and frowned looking at the waves.  They were about to do their job to honor Mei Lin's soul when the ground beneath them began to shake violently.

"What the hell is happening now?" Kenji yelled trying to keep his footing.  They looked at the lake when the wild waves built in it.  He quieted and watched in awe when large statues rose from their murky home.

Men around them feared for their lives never witnessing anything like this before in their lives. 

Mei Lin's floated lifelessly in the dark depths of the lake, her body started to glow a faint red as she floated to the top. 'It's not your time' a voice whispered in her mind, encouraging her to wake up.

'Who are you?' she replied softly, her eyes still closed.

'Why your mother of course' the voice laughed making her eyes snap open in disbelief.

'I have no mother' she spat in angry tone.  When she broke through, she was set upright inches from the waters that calmed. She held her breath wondering what was happening.  She didn't have powers but if that was so how come she was standing above the water?

'You have a mother don't live in denial. Why do you think the people of the forest didn't hurt you?' the woman pointed out making a lot sense. 'They saw me in you' she said answering her own question.

'If you are my mother then why did you abandon me?' she cried feeling anger fill her soul. 'You aren't my mother because you would have never left me alone' she curled herself into a ball wanting to block out the voice.

'I had no choice.  I couldn't keep you with me it wasn't safe.  So I left you in a governor's care.  He thought you his child' she gasped hearing that her father wasn't her father. 'You're me, Mei Lin' the words that left this voice scared her.  She couldn't believe what was hearing, who was her mother? Better yet what was she?

'What do you want with me?' she cried in frustration feeling her eyes burn with unshed tears. After so many years she had finally met her mother, and she couldn't even see her.

'Nothing but your safety, Like your friends, you also have a role to play.  You must be careful my daughter.  Things aren't always what they seem' she hadn't a clue what that meant. The voice was slowly disappearing and she feared that she might never hear it again.

'Wait, what's your name?' she cried but only the wind answered her.  Opening her eyes, she sighed sadly stepping unto the water.  She was surprised to find that she didn't fall.  Placing her other down, she started to walk when who figures appeared. 

"Mei Lin!" Tomoyo and Sakura screamed running to her.  She smiled running to meet her friends.   They met in a big hug; she could tell that they had been crying.  "Are you okay?" Sakura asked in a worried tone.

"I'm fine," she answered softly raising her brows at Sakura. "I didn't know you could control water," she whispered in surprise.  Sakura smiled softly opening her palms making a small ball of water appear.

"It seems that I can control all four elements.  I don't know how it's possible," she answered with furrowed brows.  "I didn't know I could until I thought we had lost you" she replied in a sincere tone taking notice of the huge pillars.  "Look" she gasps in shock pointing at it.  Tomoyo and Mei Lin looked at the face that was craved into it.

"It's you Mei Lin" Tomoyo said making the girl shake her head dumbly. "I thought only goddesses were worshiped" she pointed out in a soft tone. They looked at each other in silence, they figure out why Mei Lin's face was on a statue. "By the way, how are you walking on water?" this was getting weird.

"My mother" Mei Lin answered with a soft smile. "Giya" she whispered making Sakura and Tomoyo's eyes widen hearing their creators name leave her lips.  She was the protector of the earth, and Mei Lin's—mother?  It wasn't their place to say whether or not it was true.

"Come let's return.  The sun's coming up" Sakura said making them nod in agreement. Mei Lin took one last look at her mother's face, though it was only stone she could tell that she was very beautiful.  As they walked, the pillars disappeared in the mist…

The guys were still staring at the pillars that were slowly disappearing from sight. "I never thought any of those survived," Eriol spoke looking at the pillars that marked where a temple had been.  They were all destroyed in the hundred-year war. 

It seems that some did" Rika replied softly when she saw the girls. "It's Mei Lin," she shouted pointing at the figures.  Takashi felt relief rush through his frame seeing that she wasn't hurt.  Now he had a problem, his feelings towards her.  How could he love her and Sonya? He had to be faithful to his wife and son.  Yet the feelings he held for Mei Lin seemed to be over powering him.

When they reached shore, they stepped unto the ground. "What happened to the monster?" Alex inquired softly a frown on his lips.

"We don't know but let's move.   The sun is coming up," Sakura answered inhaling deeply.  She couldn't believe she had the power to control the waves.  Absently she wondered what else she could do, "Wind" she whispered making the wind swirl about her.  A smile touched her lips in wonder.  Her sisters were going to be shocked about this new outcome.  Looking at her hand, she smiled at the swirling fire, "Truly surprised"

"Sakura" hearing her name she closed her palm and looked at Syaoran who had his hand out for her.  Walking over to him, she took it and they walked off together to get their things in order so they could move out.

Across the land…

Kaho stood on the side of the forest; even someone with keen senses wouldn't feel their presence. She watched as the carriages rocked on soon to be out of their territory.  "Let's make this fast girls.  All we have to do is get the sisters" she spoke knowing that her generals heard before transferring the news.

She got on top of a boulder and waved her hands signaling to the other clan on the other side that were waiting for them.  "Let's get this over with," she hissed making a warrior cry.  The others followed suit making it echo through the forests, birds scattered taking flight.



Alan and his men came to a halt hearing the deafening sound.  He frowned menacingly knowing that this wasn't a good thing.  He had thought the blasted amazons would have kept to themselves.  He could see now that he was wrong.   How had they known about their cargo when the sisters couldn't send messages? "Shit prepare for battle men. And guards the blasted sisters!" Alan ordered in cold tone turning his horse around.   He sat upon his jet black stallion, his leather cape flapping in the cold wind.

"Its time" Nades thought a smile touching her lips.  They were foolish to think that they couldn't use their powers.  She had a feeling that they would have past the Amazon territory.  'Fire' she thought looking at the men who surrounded them.  'Come fourth!' she ordered making it surround her form. 

The men around it jump back in fright wondering what was happening.  'Wind' Tilda ordered making a gust of wind shot up from out of nowhere sending the man around her flying off their feet.  'Earth' Joe's mind screamed making it start to shake. 

"Stop them you idiots!" Alan shouted to one of his generals before he was shot in the back by an arrow.  Alan moved out of the way dodging one that came towards him. "Not going to work" he smirked pushing his cape over his shoulders.   

Nades was the first to get out of her cage.  Pulling the mouthpiece off she jump off doing a flip landing on her feet.  Holding out her hand, a fireball shot from her palm engulfing men in fires.  She laughed cruelly at their cry of pain, licking her lips she turned around.  The winds produced by Tilda whipped around her form, sending her hair flying about her sensuous form. 

"Yay!" Joe and Tilda shouted breaking out of their cages.  They landed beside Nades and looked at the men who stepped back in fear.  "I think it's about time for payback, wouldn't you agree sisters?" Tilda spat, her eyes filled with hatred.

"I think so," Joe laughed coldly as they held out their hands.  Their powers shot out of their hands engulfing men making their agonizing screams fill the air. Kaho rode to them and handed them swords.

"Thank you sister" Nades smiled swinging the sword around. "It's time to have some fun" she clicked her tongue running off.  The man she came into contact with didn't see her coming until it was too late.  "Alan!" she shouted making him knows that she was coming.  She screamed wildly, and her body burst into a brilliant show if flame, circling her locks.

She jumped into the air and flip when the ground beneath her broke apart swallowing up men.  She could hear Joe's happy laughter, the child of earth she was indeed.  "Well hello Nades" Alan smiled menacingly.

"Hell is more like it" Nades spat moving her finger across the blade making fire swirl around it.  Alan looked into her eyes and saw pure hatred.

"I would love to hang around and chat but I've got bigger problems.  Toddles" she swung her sword around only to meet air.

"You coward!" she screamed hearing his laughter floating on the winds.  She turned and rammed her sword through the neck of man, his blood splashing against her face.  "I hate men!" she cried licking her lips, tasting the blood. A cruel smile touched her lips, "You might have gotten away this time but not the next" were the screams that left her lips…

Smoke rose to the heavens as the Komisars and Amazons massacred the rest of Alan's men showing absolutely not mercy.  Joe, Tilda and Nades looked at the sky, the sun rising and whistled making their words flow on the winds…


The Gang…

Sakura looked ahead when they finally made it out of the forest.  She looked at the sky and sighed sadly riding next to Syaoran. "When we reach Gita, we'll separate" he said in a soft tone making her look at him.

"Okay" she whispered in a sad tone.  The town they were heading towards was just over the hill in front of them.  Reaching over, she took his hand in his hers.  He looked into her eyes and saw that she was scared.

"It's okay" he smiled softly moving her hand to his lips. She smiled softly him closing her eyes momentarily praying that he was right.  Hearing a falcon, he looked up only to see their messenger bird flying towards them.  Holding out his hand he received the bird and took the note out. 

"What's that?" Eriol asked riding up to him with Takashi at his side. 

"The men made it to Gita before us.  They are waiting for our arrival" Syaoran answered making them shake their heads.  They all knew that when they reached that town, they would be separated from the girls until they arrived in the capital themselves.

"So you're an Amazon?" Hu asked Lana who wished he would stop asking her questions.  She looked at him briefly and shook her head. "So was my mother" he admitted surprising her. 

"What?" she gasps in shock not thinking she heard him right.  How could his mother be an Amazon when she was living with a male child?

"She left her clan when they tried to kill my father" he answered in a soft tone.  Lana looked away knowing that their people didn't kill threatening males.  They knew that men could poison their kin people with dreams. "I know that she misses that kind of life though," he admitted with a rueful smile.

"How so when she abandoned her own people?" she spoke harsher than she had meant to making him look at her.

"I could see it when we fought in private, having our own little battles. And when she saw men treating women wrongly around her" he stated firmly. Lana listened to his words as she stared into the vast horizon. "She is special, and I love her with all my heart. If she hadn't left she wouldn't have had me and if she did I would have been killed" the words were true but Lana didn't want to admit that it made her people sound barbaric.

"No more talk of that" she spoke tightening her hold on her reins.  Hu shook his head deciding to drop the subject since as it was making her uncomfortable. 

When the village came in site Sakura looked at it wishing it would vanish.  She didn't it to come so quickly.  Holding back a frown, she was about to ride off when she got the message on the winds like the rest of the girls. "What's wrong?" Eriol asked Tomoyo looking at her face her mood seemed to drop.

"Our sisters are free and are calling for us" she answered in a happy tone though tears threatened to spill because this was her last time with Eriol.  She could see that Sakura had told Syaoran as well from the look on his face.   She whistled on the winds the same time as Sakura telling them that they were on their way.

"Let's move" Syaoran said heading towards the village.   When they rode in town, it was packed with military officials.  It was about half of his men, the others had continued on their way to the capital. 

Going to the main inn, one of his generals met him on the porch with a frown upon his features. One of the men took Syaoran's horse when he got off then grabbed Eriol's while others got the girls and Takashi. "Master Li," the man bowed before straightening.

"Suzuki" Syaoran spoke when Sakura appeared at his side.  He could feel her emotions, and they were in turmoil.  Reaching he took her hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze.  "Make sure the men know to be ready to move out before dawn tomorrow.  We have a lot of ground to cover"

"Yes master Li" the man said before walking into the inn to shoot order to his men.  Alex walked up to the group and sighed remembering his mother's words.

"I think before you guys leave you should visit my aunt like my mother wanted" He said making them remember what Yala had asked them to do. "Hala will be waiting for you," he pointed towards a hill.

"We should do that now.  We've got to get going soon," Tomoyo said from beside Eriol. "If we don't meet them they'll get impatient and meet us and that's not a good thing" she spoke telling the truth. She didn't want to leave but she figured she could talk to her sisters and maybe they would listen before meeting Eriol.

"Let's do that then" Syaoran said turning from the inn. 

"We'll be here waiting for you" Takashi said softly.  He still hadn't been able to talk to Mei Lin since he found out that he loved her.  He couldn't believe.   And he would never be able to act on his feelings because he belonged to another.

"You and Mei Lin have to go as well" Alex said making him frown wondering why he would have to go. Sighing he walked off with the others wondering why they had to go see this Hala.

Hala knew they were coming because before they reached her home she stepped outside the door.  She smiled warmly looking exactly like her sister, telling them that they were twins.  When they stopped in front of her small home the woman looked them over slowly. "Come child" she pointed at Mei Lin who stepped forwards. "I shall talk to you first" Mei Lin glanced at her friends uneasily but followed the lady into the house.

"I made tea, have some"

"Thank you" Mei Lin said when the lady poured her a cup.  Hala sat in front of the girl and smiled softly. "What is it that you want to talk to me about?" she inquired talking a sip of the tea.

"You found out who your mother was didn't you?" she almost choked hearing that from the woman's lips. "You know she left you because she was in danger and didn't want to loose you. Rakanis was after her for what she had done"

"And what's that?" she inquired in a soft tone.

"She brought the awaited ones to this time.  After leaving you, she was never seen again.  Some say, she's his slave and other gruesome details.  I don't know where she is, only that her spirit is still in the realm of the living"  Hala pointed at Mei Lin's heart, "Waiting," Mei Lin listened intently not able to believe what she was currently hearing from the woman.  She couldn't believe this had happened to her mother, that bastard had her.  "Things aren't always what they appear to be" she said softly repeating the same words her mother spoke to her.  "And now you've fallen in love with a man who is forbidden.  What do you intend to do?"

"Leave him alone" she answered simply. "My heart aches but he's forbidden like you said," she answered in a painful tone making Hala smile.

"It's not fair that when you fall in love it's with a person you can' be with is it?" tears burnt Mei Lin's eyes because those words were so incredibly true and it hurt to hear it. "Life is pain, but there are things that keep you going"

"I know"

"It will get worst. Don't be fooled by what you perceive" Mei Lin wished she would quit talking in riddles. "You've got a long life in front of you, life of loneliness.  You'll never have what you want. Your fate like they, has been decided" a frown touched her lips.  Mei Lin didn't want to live a life without loved ones. "Safe journey, daughter of Giya" Hala smiled placing her tea down.  Mei Lin followed placing hers down with shaky hands.  She looked at the lady and smiled getting up. "Call your love, it's his turn"

"I will" she answered disappearing out the door.  Hala moved her hand over the table making knew cups appear when Takashi walked into the room.  He hadn't like the look on Mei Lin's face; he could tell that she was holding tears back. 

"Sit, have some tea," she said pouring him some.  He didn't move, instead he stared at her with cold eyes.  "It would offend me if you didn't drink" sighing he took the cup.

"Thank you," he said softly making her smile.

"Yamazaki Takashi, son of Yamazaki who died in the war" she spoke briskly making him look at her. "It's a shame really loosing your mother and father in the war.  It seems that you are cursed to loose those you love" she spoke and he had a feeling she meant Mei Lin. "Ah yes Mei Lin" his eyes narrowed when she brought up her name. "She's such a strong one, a lonely soul really who only wants love"

"Leave her out of this" he bit out tightly making her smile.

"Very well Takashi" she spoke her lips pursed. "In the days to come you shall face two trails.  One will cause you great pain and regret even guilt.  And the other well that's for you to find out now isn't it?" she left the sentence hanging but he had a feeling her words were true.  He looked into his cup and saw the black liquid turn crimson before vanishing. "Call your friend Tomoyo"

He placed the cup down and got up feeling nervousness in his stomach.  She watched him leave, a smile touching her lips.  Getting another cup, she looked up when Tomoyo walked into the room and over to her.  Tomoyo glanced around the house uneasily, "Have some tea," she offered pouring Tomoyo a cup.

"Thank you," she said picking it up.  Hala looked at her intently, a smile touching her lips. 

"Daidouji Tomoyo" she said speaking her last name, her father's last name. "It must have been hard to watch your family slain in front of you" she spoke making Tomoyo's hand tremble so violently that she had place the cup down.

"I do not wish to talk about that ma'am" she said softly looking at Hala who smile softly.  'Father, no!' a child's voice screamed, "Mama, brothers.  No!' screamed filled her mind, and Tomoyo clenched her eyes shut.  They were so familiar, and that voice, it had belonged to her.  She whimpered, "I don't want to feel such pain!" she cried pleadingly.

"Wish? Really now.  But you have another family about to abandon you because you broke the code under which you swore" her eyes flew to Hala's in horror knowing what she was talking about. "You fell in love" she whispered those dreadful words. "With a man"

"They will understand" she spoke firmly.

"Do you believe that? Child of water do you believe that?  Was it worth betraying your family for a man who you haven't any clue will survive the war" the words left her lips, and Tomoyo felt dirty by the way she spoke them.  She felt like a traitor to Nades and the others for breaking the honor she swore to uphold. "He's human, and they die" she spoke the truth and Tomoyo knew it. "You'll face a great challenge, and you'll have to decide what you want more, what means more to you.  The love of a human man or—well the other is yours to find out"

"No tell me please," she begged in a pleading tone. "I must know" she couldn't take not knowing what she would have to loose over Eriol.

"That's not for me to say.  Send in your lover" Hala spoke when Tomoyo reached up and wiped a tear away.  Shaking her head she placed her cup down, getting up she walked to the door like a robot. 

A moment later an angry looking Eriol walked into the room. "What did you do to her?" he barked glaring coldly at her.

"So protective" Hala smiled pouring him a cup of tea. "I love serving tea, taste and tell me how you like it" she said ignoring Eriol. "Sit boy you offend me," she ordered moving her hand about making him drop in the chair. 

"I don't want your tea.  I want to know what you said to Tomoyo" he wanted to know what the lady said that prevented her from looking at him when she came out of the house.

"Hirragizawa Eriol"

"It's Li Eriol," he barked hearing his father's name, the man who betrayed Syaoran's father for money and power. 

"You cannot deny who spawned you," Hala spoke softly making Eriol growl in anger. "But you are right.  Yelen did grow you well didn't she?  Soon you shall even become Clan leader," Hala muttered so that Eriol barely heard her. 

"What?" He spat in disbelief.

"Nothing my boy" she smiled, and quickly changed the subject. " Why cause Tomoyo to ruin her life when no one is sure if you shall survive the war?" the question shook him to the core. "What if you leave her, and her sisters abandon her because of you?" he didn't want to listen to her words, it filled him with doubt. " Would you want to cause her such pain?" Hala spoke taking a sip of her tea not taking her eyes off Eriol as she spoke.

"I won't leave her!"

"How are you so sure?" Hala spoke in a calm, soft tone.  Eriol was starting to feel doubt as to whether he should ask her to do something so drastic in a time like this. "Doubt? You feel doubt" she sighed sadly looking into his soul. "What you decide to do will decide her faith Eriol.  You can make her or break.  I suggest you choose wisely" those were the cruelest words anyone could have spoken to him.  He looked at the woman and placed his tea down before getting up.  Walking to the door he stopped.

"I will never leave her" he spat making her smile though he couldn't see.

"Send in the lovely fire wielder" she called before he disappeared out the door.   Getting the cup ready she spoke not even looking up. "Sit" she ordered Sakura who walked over to the table and sat down. "You're angry with me"

"You make my friends fear themselves and those they care about" Sakura answered in a soft tone making Hala look at her.

"I tell them the truth" she spoke in a sincere tone.

"You speak the truth that shouldn't be told if it causes such pain and doubt" Sakura shot back making the woman smile.

"What I've told them isn't as bad as what I'm about to tell and show you" Hala replied gravely making Sakura's eyes narrow at her. "I know you feel doubt about telling your sisters about your lover" she spoke but that was nothing knew to Sakura. "And I know you fear the war you are about to enter" Sakura didn't flinch she already knew this. "But what you don't know is the sacrifice you'll have to make, and the pain your feel for the days of the war.  And you'll want to die with nothing to live for.  And the only thing you love more than life itself is out of your reach" the words tore at Sakura's heart.  She knew that Hala was talking about Syaoran, it was only he who would make her feel so. "You are not the child of Water, Fire, Earth or Wind instead you are the creator, the mother, life and the giver.  But what you give is your choice; it can be life or death.  It's your heart that will decide, you mustn't let hatred blind you because if it does then we're doomed" 

"What are you talking about? This is just a war that I'm apart of.  There's nothing drastic that I'll have to decide" Sakura replied in denial. She wouldn't believe she had to make such a hard decision, and she couldn't figure out if she would loose her sister or Syaoran. 

"Denial child. Will get you nowhere" Hala spat in disgust. "Do you think you survived and escaped Rakanis in Nehru for nothing? Do you think you found Aurora for nothing? Do you think Giya gave your sisters gifts just so they could have them? And your circle of friends came together for nothing? It is you and the cursed one that will make or break life" Hala calmed down seeing that she had gotten through to her.  "Look in your cup"

Sakura looked down slowly into the liquid that started to swirl. Her grip on the cup tightened seeing the site in front of her. "No!" she screamed dropping it.  The cup shattered into a millions pieces unto the ground.  Sakura backed out of her chair almost falling over, "No, it's not true" she cried in fear but Hala said nothing other than…

"Get your lover"

Syaoran and the others looked up when Sakura walked out of the house.  He ran to her seeing the devastated look on her face. "What's wrong?" he asked worriedly feeling her tears soak through his shirt.

"What she said.  It's not true" Sakura replied softly when the others walked over to them.  They were quiet, not speaking to each other because of doubt. "She wants you" she choked back a sob not wanting to believe she had to make such a choice. And who was the cursed one?

"I'll be back," he whispered placing a kiss on her forehead before leaving her with Mei Lin and Tomoyo.   They couldn't confide in each other knowing it wasn't something to talk about so they continued in doubt.

Hala smiled seeing the cold forbidden look the dragon had aimed at her. "You know Li Xiao Lang. You are very much like your papa," She said making him growl. "Too much like your father" she corrected sweat dropping.

"Cut the crap old woman"

"Very well" she sighed knowing that telling him his fate would be the hardest.

Sakura looked at the door when Syaoran walked out looking the same as when he entered.  She wondered what Hala said to him.  He walked over to them, a frown forever present on his lips.  Holding out his hand he reached for, she took it and allowed him to pull her into him. "Are you feeling better?" he asked softly making her shake her head. "Good cause I'm not leaving you.  My love is the same. We'll get through anything," he whispered against her ear.  He would have closed his eyes but he feared what he would see.  He wouldn't believe that witches words, she knew nothing.  He believed in making his own fate, nothing was predestined—nothing not even life or death.

"I love you too" he made her feel so much better.  Eriol looked at his brother and saw that his pupils changed quickly meaning he was in pain.  Something had happened inside the house that he was trying to hide.    He glanced at Tomoyo who was off to the side and walked slowly towards her.

Wrapping his arms around her from behind, she tensed then slowly relaxed against him. "It's okay" he whispered against her ear trying to assure her and himself at the same time. 

"I love you Eri" she whispered turning in his arms. "I love you so much that I would do anything for you" she cried out knowing that even meant betraying her sisters.

"And I you" he replied closing his eyes.  He just wanted to hold her until they had to leave.  Mei Lin and Takashi stood away from each other.  They looked at the couple in silence fighting their own demons.

"Let's head back" Syaoran said finally knowing that the girls had to get on way if they wanted to make good time. "We need to talk before you leave' he whispered to her when they started down the hill. 

"Yeah" she whispered when Syaoran wrapped his arm around her waist.  Hala walked out of her house and looked at the couples leaving. She didn't know whether her telling them their strong and weak points would help them.  She could tell that the Dragon didn't care what she said to him, he was never one to back down from what it was that he wanted. "Good at least he is still strong and determined" she whispered waving to Alex and when he turned and waved. "Even you my nephew have your own challenge with your Amazon princess" she smiled shaking her head.

Rika looked at her sister who was still talking to the guy whose name was Hu.  Absently she wondered what was going on between the two.  Looking towards the hill she saw Sakura and the others appear.  Something had changed within all of them; she could feel it deep in her soul.   Alex was the only person who hadn't changed any. Getting up from where she was sitting, she stood when some of Li's men past her and smiled.

 She was surprised to find that Li's men had respect for women like her.  She would have to ask Sakura why this was so.  "Rika, we'll be leaving soon make sure Lana knows" Sakura said to the girl who smiled shaking her head.

"I will" Sakura returned the smile before disappearing inside with Syaoran Tomoyo and Eriol followed but Mei Lin and Takashi went their separat ways.  Shaking her head she thought that they went through too much mood swings. 

"I might as well go tell Lana the news" She sighed about to walk off when Alex appeared in front of her with a smile on his lips. "What do you want?"

"Just to talk.  You're glacier of a sister is warming what's wrong with you?" he asked with a grin.  She held the back the urge to laugh at the word he used to describe her sister. 

"You'll have to find out won't you?" she raised her brows at him and he laughed loving a good challenge.

"And I will" he assured watching her walk off. She didn't like the way he was so confident about himself.  Shaking her head she dismissed him from her mind and thought about the ride home.  They were far from the Clan, and were going to meet them at a close site so they could head towards the capital to join the fight.

Sakura looked at Syaoran who was speaking to her in a soft voice walking back and forth in the room that was given to him.  "Will you stop pacing?" she asked going dizzy from watching him.  He stopped and smiled sheepishly at her.

"Sorry.  I want you to come straight to the palace once you arrive" he said pulling out the pendent he wore around his neck.  "Here" walking over to her, he placed it around her neck. Sakura looked at him in disbelief. "It's the best I have to a ring," he admitted with a smile.  He wanted her to know that he wanted her to his wife, his soul mate.

"It's wonderful.  You must remember that I'm leading the Lirin.  I will have to be at court," she reminded him.  He had forgotten about that little issue.  "You forget?" she teased wondering what was on his mind.

"I'm not perfect.  Then I'll see you.  I leave it up to you to decide when we'll talk to your sisters about our decision.  Don't talk to them about us until I'm there with you" he reminded her. She smiled getting off the bed she was sitting on.

"I will.  And I'll tell Tomoyo the same" she said softly wrapping her arms around his neck. "I dread leaving you," she whispered sadly not wanting to cry.  Looking into his eyes, Syaoran bent his head and kissed her softly on the lips.

"We'll be back together in no time" he replied softly before Sakura pressed her lips against his. They parted their lips at the same time knowing how each other kissed.  Getting lost in their good-bye kiss, Sakura moaned softly feeling sad about living him.  She had been through so much with him.

When they broke apart to catch their breath, they smiled at each other. "I love you," they said together then laughed hugging the other tightly.  She inhaled his masculine scent of sandalwood and spices. 

"God I don't want you to go," he breathed in her hair. "I never want to be away from you" knowing that they had to let each other go so Sakura could get under way they slowly pulled apart.

"Listen to the winds for my 'I love you's" she said knowing that he could pick up their signature whistles. 

"I'll do that and demand that my men keep quiet so I don't miss it" he replied making her giggle.  Holding each other's hand they walked towards the door.  Going down the stairs his men looked at him then their future mistress and smiled.

Walking outside, Tomoyo and the others were already waiting for.  She and Eriol had just shared their last kiss.  It looked like she had been crying but Sakura couldn't tell. Syaoran walked her to her horse that was waiting. "Remember" he said making her laugh shaking her head.

"I will. Be safe my little wolf" she whispered when she hugged him again.  It was becoming harder to leave.

"I will and the same goes for you.  Immortal or not" he replied softly so that only she heard.  She smiled warmly at him and winked.  "I Love you," he whispered before giving her a soft kiss.

"I love you" refraining from another hug he helped her mount.  They knew that they wouldn't get anywhere if they continued to kiss and hug the other. What Hala told them was still on their minds but they wouldn't allow it to affect them.  they were going to do their best to prove her wrong.

"Safe journey" he said softly stepping back.

"Bye Eriol, Alex and Takashi. I'll see you soon.  Where's Mei Lin?" Sakura asked wanting to say good-bye to her sister.  Mei Lin appeared at the door with her bag.  "Mei Lin?" Takashi looked at her wondering what she was doing. 

"Where are you going?" He asked before he could stop himself.  She stopped beside him and looked into his eyes.

"I'm going with them.  I need to be alone and away from you" she whispered softly surprising him. "I lo—I'm trouble" she corrected not wanting to say those words.  "You have a life you'll return to.  I have to find my own"

"But" he broke off knowing that she was right.  Sighing he looked down. "Be careful," he whispered and she shook her head.

"You too" she walked away from him. "Good bye for now Syaoran, Eriol and Alex" she said softly mounting her horse swiftly.

"Good bye.  Be safe" Alex said to all of them.  He winked at Rika who looked away a blush tinting her cheeks.  She glanced at her sister who was saying goodbye to Hu.  Smiling she knew her sister had a thing for the young man.

"Let's move" Sakura ordered smiling at Syaoran one last time. "Yay!' they shouted riding off.  The guys stood in the road until they disappeared of site.  Sighing they looked at each other already missing them terribly and it hadn't even been a minute since they left. 

"Be safe," Syaoran whispered listening to the soft whistle that flowed towards him. "My beloved, until we meet again…

Author's note:  I bet ya'll wondering what Hala said to Syaoran!  Haha I thought I would keep that a secret.  Man things are heating up, what do you think the sisters will do when they find out Tomoyo and Sakura's little secret? You'll have to wait to find out.   review and tell me what you think! JA.