Nope. I still don't own CCS. Check back later. You know, when the sky starts falling. However, I do own the OC's. Steal them and…::pauses for dramatic effect:: I won't like you. ::gasp:: Oh, the horror!
Before We Continue…: First off, I'm really sorry that I didn't update soon enough. I tried to finish the chapter as soon as I could without shortchanging you all.
I've been busy for the past two months since I've been a little – which is a huge understatement – slack with my homework. Gotta keep my grades up to keep Mummy and Daddy happy!
Oh, and I've never been shot in my life. Sorry if somebody has never put a bullet to my head – or in this case, my leg – so I apologise if the scenes with Syaoran seem a bit unrealistic.
But enough with my petty little excuses and ramblings. On with the story!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Character change
-------------------- Gap in time but same character
Take me by the
hand
take me somewhere new
I dont know who you are
but I... I'm with you
I'm with you
- I'm With You, Avril Lavigne
A few moments ago the sky had been alight with promise; her past had returned in the form of a tall, light-haired young man – no longer the blushing, stammering boy, but a man.
As if in slow motion, Sakura heard the gunshot ring out loud and clear and saw the fear spring into Syaoran's unfamiliar blue eyes before it was replaced with something else. He caught her gaze with his own, searching into the depths of emerald for something Sakura wasn't sure was there, and then he seemed to come to a quick decision.
Leaning forward, he let his lips brush hers softly in a way that seemed to say 'goodbye,' 'farewell' and everything else Sakura couldn't bear him telling her ever again, before he was gone again – for the third time since she had known him.
= = = = = = = = =
Fall From GraceDecisions, Decisions
= = = = = = = = =
The pain in his leg seared excruciatingly as he ran away from the Kinomoto household as fast as is his one good leg could carry him, knowing that the guard would not be too far behind.
Stupid, he berated himself angrily as he struggled with the pain. His lungs felt as if they were on the verge of bursting point and he could feel the blood trickling down his leg, mingling with his sweat – it bloody hell stung - but if there was one thing Syaoran knew by experience it was that adrenaline was better than any other available drug. What the hell were you thinking going to see Sakura? Did you honestly think she would drop everything in her life just to help you and make everything better?
If anything, he had made his situation worse by going to Sakura in the first place. He hadn't thought clearly about the repercussions of his actions – hell, he wasn't sure if he had been thinking at all; instead he had let his desire cloud his better judgment and had selfishly gotten Sakura caught up into his business when it wasn't even her problem. He wasn't her problem.
He had stopped being a part of her life a long time ago.
He sensed the bullet before it could hit him and clumsily dodged the cold hard metal by a hair, swearing as his leg gave way beneath him. Glass shattered and sirens erupted, wailing discordantly over the street as the bullet met the window of a parked car.
For a moment Syaoran wondered why the din had not roused people from the safety of their homes, and then his eyes widened in a mixture of disbelief and understanding. The guard must have used some kind of magic to control time, which meant that he would have been specially trained for situations just like this. Syaoran wondered how long the Elders had suspected he would turn against them.
"Give it up Li."
The malicious edge made Syaoran raise his head and meet the guard's gaze head on. Cerulean and the darkest of brown – so dark it looked black, like a treacherous void burning holes in Syaoran's irises – met in a secret language of understanding.
Neither would hold back.
He shook the limp blond hair out of his eyes and shakily helped himself up, hating himself for the wound that sent intense pain through his every nerve. Out of all those bullets, he had only been shot once, but for Li Syaoran once was enough to be considered a failure.
He let the confident smirk cloud the apprehension in his features. "I couldn't fight without knowing the name of my opponent first. How will I know what to put on your grave?"
The short hollow laugh sent chills up Syaoran spine; it sounded so empty, devoid of any emotion save for the resentment and determination that burned in those coal-black orbs.
"Big words for a man who can't even stand properly." The taunt made Syaoran plant his legs more firmly on the ground despite his desire to fall back down. "I'm Motoshiba Kenpei, one of the lowly guards at your manor. But then, I wouldn't expect the great Li Syaoran to know who I was. Now take it like a real man and show me what you're made of."
Syaoran clenched his fist. A good portion of his magic had been reliant on his usual sword and ofudas but over the years his training had let his magic capabilities reach far beyond just that.
However, it struck him for the first time that his leaving had been rash and foolish. Why hadn't he taken his sword with him? Because he'd been stupid? Because he'd been naïve? Because he'd believed that there would be no use for it – that there was actually a chance he could leave without trouble trailing him?
Baka.
When Syaoran refused to make the first move, Kenpei growled deep in his throat and sneered. "Afraid you'll get your pretty little face dirty? And here I was letting you go first. Once an ungrateful brat, always an ungrateful brat." He tossed aside his gun and watched it skitter across the pavement before cracking his knuckles. "Magic to magic. Man to man."
The fireball caught Syaoran off guard and the next thing he knew his senses were searing as leaping flames encased his body relentlessly, bringing forth immeasurable pain. His eyes widened in shock. Get out, his brain screamed. You'll burn to death
He wasn't sure how he had been able to do it, but somehow he managed to call upon his own magic, extinguishing the fire. Soon the air was thick with smoke and Syaoran could barely make out the faint form of Kenpei. He coughed and felt his eyes watering as he strained his vision through the thickness of the suffocating haze. Perhaps that had been a bad choice of counter spell, but there was nothing for it. Maybe he could work it to his advantage.
He leapt forward, aiming his fist towards Kenpei's cheek, but his opponent matched him blow for blow. They were merely a blur of intermingling navy blue and green, their auras radiating faintly from their lithe forms as they moved to a dance of their own.
Syaoran darted to the left and swung his arm towards Kenpei who quickly dodged him swiftly. In the millisecond that the two combatants had their backs toward each other, Syaoran let his mouth curve up into a small grin as he uttered a few words beneath his breath. In the next second Syaoran had miraculously appeared in front of Kenpei as if out of thin air and thrust out his arm for an uppercut.
Quick as a flash, Kenpei deftly took hold of his arm and hurled Syaoran over his back and onto the concrete where the already-injured man landed with a thud.
Syaoran let out a sharp intake of pain before he called out a thunder spell and watched with satisfaction from his place on the ground as the shocking jolts reigned relentlessly upon his opponent.
Kenpei let out a roar and a burst of power surged out of him, weakening the thunder so that the electrifying bolts faded away. Seizing his chance, Syaoran leapt to his feet and grabbed Kenpei in a headlock.
"Leave me alone, Motoshiba and I won't have any need to hurt you."
Syaoran tightened his grip as Kenpei began to laugh.
Spluttering slightly Kenpei spoke with confidence. "You can't hurt me. Only I can call back the time spell."
Syaoran narrowed his eyes angrily and let his mind absorb the information. He didn't know the man well enough to judge if he was lying or not, but he hoped that Kenpei's arrogance had made him careless.
He called his bluff. "Let me be the judge of that."
Kenpei snarled, and kicked something up high in the air, which he deftly caught in his hand.
"Don't move," he hissed, pressing the revolver roughly against Syaoran's temple. Syaoran froze and let his arms drop slowly to his sides.
"Now back away slowly from me with your hands in the air."
Syaoran did as he was told, holding his breath. Kenpei wouldn't kill him – not if he'd had multiple chances to do so before and still hadn't – but he could still hurt him and then go after Sakura.
"Good."
Syaoran felt his gut churn uneasily as a slow grin crept into Kenpei's features before another shot rang out and pain burned through his arm. Pain exploded behind Syaoran eyelids as he became aware of the new pain in his arm and the already dull, throbbing ache in his leg.
Hit twice, he thought ruefully before he did the only thing he could and let the world turn black around him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Which way did they go? Sakura wondered desperately, running a shaky hand through her hair in frustration. Damn him. What did he think he was doing, kissing me and then running off like that?
Funny how it had taken him two years to confess his feelings to her, and it had only taken him two minutes of their meeting up again to kiss her. Sakura replayed the short, sweet moment in her head and then shook it out of her mind entirely.
Her heart hammered in her chest as she turned left, relying solely on her magical senses for direction; they had not been in use for a long time now.
Anger, anxiety, happiness. She was reeling with so much emotion that she didn't know what to feel anymore. Anxiety won over as soon as she felt Syaoran's aura weaken considerably. But where was he? And most importantly, why was he being chased?
There were so many questions, yet for all the years between them she temporarily cast aside the lingering hurt and sadness she had felt. Despite the non-existent phone calls and the missing letters – despite all those, she still cared
Sakura frowned and pulled over, feeling a small tug. She felt odd, displaced somehow – as if she were stuck in the wrong place at the wrong…
Time.
Emerald orbs widened in understanding.
Hadn't Eriol mentioned the manipulation of Time without the use of the Time Card itself, during one of his last visits? Rather than creating a gap, the user created an almost blanket-like layer that hid an object or being behind an almost identical setting. It needed an experienced mage to create something so complex, and an equally competent adversary to counter it. That explained why she could feel Syaoran close-by yet couldn't see him.
'Like a garage door, really," Eriol had explained to her in terms she would understand. He had glanced at her from the corner of her eye, but she had only been half-listening – by then she had already begun to curse her gift and abhor what she had been born into. Perhaps Eriol had known it too, but now she was infinitely grateful for it. "All you need is the right leverage – enough power and stability to break through it."
The question now was: could she really rely on her long-since latent abilities? It had been so long since that final training session so many years ago.
All was silent, save for the distant rumble of cars and the gentle rustling leaves against a playful breeze – a reminder that life went on as normal – and the pounding of her heart as she willed her magic to flow freely through her as it once had done. It was hard – hard to break her own well-thought out seal, but when she did, the magic burst through her like a dam, no longer seeping slowly through a tiny crack, but wild and untamed, filling her with an energy she had not felt for so long. It coursed through her veins, steadily; yet a hollow emptiness filled her along with it.
She was not magically complete – not yet; maybe she never would be ever again. And maybe, if somebody she had once held dear to her heart had not needed it so much…maybe she would never have wanted herself complete.
But she had to try.
She took a deep breath, willing her pounding heart to slow down. Slowly and calmly she stepped out of the safety of her car – 'Tou-san's eighteenth birthday present to his baby girl – and reached out with her magic, feeling her way to where the magical emission began. She felt nothing but a playful breeze physically, but magically she felt a subtle barrier – concealed enough for it to be overlooked, but just obvious enough for somebody who knew what they were looking for.
The barrier crackled beneath her hands and she winced, feeling the magical undercurrents against her palm. It felt so alive, surging with so much enchanted life that it almost burned for her unaccustomed hands to touch it. She willed her hands to stay and focused all her magical energy into them, hoping against hope that, though only just overt, they were enough to break the barrier.
Sakura shuddered as her hands ripped through the barrier the tiniest fraction and felt a surge of power run up her spine, like a huge electric jolt. She dug her hands further and felt more magic spill out from the barrier, almost knocking her off her feet. Her breathing came in quick gasps and she clenched her teeth as her arms began to get a slow fuzzy feeling that crawled up to her shoulders and to what seemed like the centre of her being.
Pull your hands away. You might not be able to take all this magic yet. You'll die.
Stubbornly she kept her hands in place and, as if to prove that she was right, she let out a scream as she ripped through the barrier completely. Her head spun and the world swam before her eyes as her legs began to give way beneath her.
Syaoran, she reminded herself.
A tall lanky man stared into her eyes, open-mouthed for a fraction of a second before his expression darkened and he scowled angrily.
"Don't meddle in his business, Sakura," he spat out, advancing toward her.
She reeled back, as if slapped. "How do you know my name?"
"We know everything about you. How could we not know the powerful girl who stole the power of the Cards from the Elders, who turned Syaoran into a weak, ungrateful little brat? We know about Touya, about Tomoyo – we even know that your power has been dormant for years now. I suppose you never told Syaoran, did you? He was under the impression that you could help him."
Sakura swallowed. She felt weak at the knees as she glimpsed Syaoran's unconscious form propped up against a tree. "I don't know who you are, or what you want with Syaoran but I do know that if you don't leave in the next minute you'll give me no choice."
"Why do you bother, Sakura? He doesn't deserve you. Did you know that while you were waiting for him all these years, he was off gallivanting about with one Minh Ji Kim, the heiress to the Kim fortune? I guess he didn't intend to tell you." The voice was taunting, cruel.
Her chest panged with – what was it? Jealousy? Anger? No, not anger. She had known that he would have been with somebody else. But he had promised her, promised her. Okay, maybe a little bit of anger, then.
"You leave me no choice," she managed through clenched teeth.
Syaoran has always been right about her. She rarely ever got mad, but when she was she was ruthless. The though of Syaoran spurred her onwards.
Thank God for Eriol's training sessions, or she would not have been able to manage without her cards. Pink flames came from her lips as she whispered one lone word and they circled the man once, twice and then surged forward before he had a chance to react, binding him to the pavement.
Sakura frowned, watching as the man struggled with the bonds that pinned him down, cursing at her and calling her names she would not have liked to repeat. If it had worked properly he should not even have been able to move like that; it was weak – but that was because she was weak. Those flames were part of her and drew their power from her; naturally, if she wasn't up to her full potential, then neither were they.
"I have a father, thank you very much," she said coldly, not wishing to take any chances of the man working his way through her weak bonds. She strode over to where Syaoran lay and almost wept at all the blood he had lost.
"You fucking bitch!" he cursed at her. "You don't realise what you're doing. He doesn't deserve it, do you hear me? What are you? His whore? He had Minh for that too – and look where she ended up. She's dead. All because the fucking slut wouldn't take any heed and leave Syaoran alone."
"Syaoran?" she whispered, tracing his cheek as she ignored the man's enraged yells. "You're okay, Syaoran. I'm going to take you to Tomoyo's and we'll take care of you there, okay?" He didn't move or respond – not even a flutter of the eyelids.
God, he was heavy. Sakura groaned with the effort as she draped his arms over her shoulders and half-dragged, half-carried him toward the gap she had created.
She had always been fit and healthy, but it seemed that Syaoran had built up on a good deal of muscle over the years.
"Sakura?"
Her heart leapt into her throat. Had she been imagining it or had he really mumbled her name, but when she looked down his face showed no sign of movement. With some struggle, she hefted Syaoran through the gap and into the real world.
It happened all at once; one moment she had felt completely in control, back to how she used to be even, and then the next moment it was as if something had slipped from inside of her and she was empty. And that could only mean one thing…
Sakura whirled around to face the wide, triumphant grin and gulped down her fear, before an excruciating pain rocked her body. Her insides shuddered as her head exploded with pain, her vision blurring before her.
What had he done?
She couldn't breathe; it took so much effort to draw air into her lungs. She had to get away. It was the only rational thought in her mind as she fell on her hands and knees. Get away. Get away. Get away.
Her body shook involuntarily as she willed her limbs to move against the binding power. With each movement her body cried out. There was too much struggle for control and Sakura groaned with effort as she inched her way towards the gap.
Seeing this, her enemy stood before her, quick as a flash, barring her way to safety. Smiling that taunting smirk that made her long to claw his eyes out. Her anger coursed through her, much like her magic had only a moment before and before she knew what she was doing she had lunged at him. He uttered a cry of surprise and Sakura was once again able to control her own body.
They fell to the ground, clawing and struggling, trying to gain the upper hand. Their bodies were evenly matched, but he had the advantage. It seemed he had spent years perfecting his skills whereas she had spent those exact years ignoring them.
The man pinned Sakura's wrists to the ground and gazed down at her as she glared back in return. Before she had time to acknowledge what was going on, he had lowered his cruel mouth to hers, despite her muffled protests.
Her blood boiled as he forced his lips against her own. How dare he?
She kneed him where she knew from experience it hurt most and watched him groaning in agony for a moment before she stood and walked away through the gap.
"Goodbye," she whispered, sealing the gap once more with what was left of her magic. His mistake had been that he hadn't bound the spell to his own which meant that any person with the right amount of magic and determination could break through it. She wasn't going to make the same mistake.
"No," he shrieked, trying to claw through the sealing.
The wild, crazed look in his eyes chilled Sakura's heart to the bone as she continued with her task.
"You can't leave me like…"
Sakura was no longer able to hear what he had said next as the gap closed shut and the world went on around her and the unconscious man at her feet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Syaoran groaned softly and stirred, painfully aware of the numbing sensation along the length of his body. He felt heavy and sluggish as he groggily opened an eye against the sunlight streaming full-force down at him from an open window.
"Strange," he croaked out, running a wary eye around the room. His captor wouldn't keep him in a huge, heavily decorated room that smelt faintly of lavender and intoxicating perfume, would he? Motoshiuba Kenpei seemed more the cold-dank-cell type.
"Morning sunshine."
Syaoran yelped and whirled around with some difficulty, stunned to find himself staring into a pair of recognizable amethyst eyes. "Daidouji Tomoyo," he managed dumbly. "What are you doing here?"
"Why, Syaoran. I'm hurt. Don't you remember our beautiful, passionate night together?" Tomoyo laughed and patted him reassuringly on the shoulder to show him that she wasn't serious. Syaoran had always been rather gullible and with the dreadful state he'd been in a day ago, the poor guy would probably believe her. Silly boy.
"How are you feeling?" she asked gently, leaning forward to place a tray piled high with pancakes across his lap. It was then that Syaoran realised just how hungry he was; his stomach groaned with anticipation as the fresh, slightly-burnt (but his growling stomach hardly cared) scent wafted toward him, enticing his sense of smell, but for the moment he set his appetite aside and gazed inquiringly at the girl before him.
"Okay – a bit sore, but nothing I can't handle."
She had grown so much; they had all grown so much – grown apart as well, he reminded himself. Don't drag them into your problems.
She nodded. "Sakura managed to take out both bullets, but you'll still be a bit tender for a bit."
"How did I get here?" he demanded. The last thing he remembered was wanting to wipe that smirk off Kenpei's face. Everything subsequent to that had been one black void – save for a soft heavenly voice that he suspected he'd conjured up in his own delirium as he drifted in and out of consciousness.
Tomoyo pushed the tray closer toward him. "Eat," she commanded authoritatively.
He complied.
Even in all these years Syaoran hadn't forgotten that nobody ever said no to Daidouji Tomoyo – not even Eriol had been able to weasel out of anything she had put to him.
As he swallowed the last crumb, Tomoyo took his tray and rose from her seat by his bedside. "Once Sakura gets back she'll want to talk to you," she called over her shoulder. "But no romping on my satin sheets, you understand? Okaa-san would throw a fit."
He knew she'd gotten the satisfaction of making him blush, even though she hadn't even turned around to witness the colour creeping into his cheeks.
Sighing, he settled back into his pillow, content in the company of familiarity, if only for the present.
--------------------
"Syaoran?"
Was it the voice of an angel that shook him awake? The tender touch of a goddess? Syaoran shook his head as if to clear it of such thoughts. Damn Tan Wen and his poetry.
"Sakura?" He sat up, imprinting her face into his mind as he took her in. So familiar, yet so different. Her face conveyed a melancholy, etched subtly into her lovely, smiling features that had not been there in childhood. His gut churned.
"How are you feeling?"
The concern in her eyes made his heart swell. She had always cared for everybody, but the look in those emerald orbs made him feel as if it were reserved only for him. His gaze tore away from her eyes as he remembered the way his lips had felt on hers for that sweet, chaste moment.
And then, of course he had run away right after.
"Oh God," he groaned, letting his head fall into his hands. "I'm such a jerk."
She smiled kindly as she pried his hand away from his face, forcing him to look at her. "I think," she said, as if she had contemplated it for a long time, "that we have many issues we need to talk about, but--" she held her hand up as he opened his mouth to speak, "-- not now. Your flight leaves in three hours."
"Wh-what?"
"I'm sorry. I tried to get us more time, but every other flight to England was booked. I'm guessing you won't want to attract as much attention as possible from your…enemies by using magic. Touya insisted that we check your things. Your bag is under the bed and your passport is on the table…Yuuhi."
Her voice was questioning but she chose not to ask. There was a time when everything between them would be cleared up; she would just have to wait.
"Come with me," he begged, grasping her hands in his by impulse. Sakura felt her heart flip-flop at his touch and fought to tear her gaze away from his own intense one.
"I…I can't." Her voice broke as he watched him deflate before her very eyes. "You'll be safer with Eriol…I can't take care of you."
Syaoran swallowed and let go of her hand, turning his head away. Stupid, he berated himself. Stupid, stupid. "I understand." He smiled weakly, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm sorry – it was selfish of me to want to tear you away from your life after all these years."
"No, no," Sakura protested, shaking her head furiously. "That's not it. What I mean is…I can't take care of you, because…because I'm not strong enough to protect you."
His brow furrowed in confusion as he digested this piece of information. "I don't understand. Of course you are. You're the Card Mistress – Eriol doesn't even compare to your magical abilities."
Sakura smiled sadly. "I'm so sorry, Syaoran. I guess I should have told you, huh? My magic – it's not…I mean, it stopped being a part of my life long ago. I just wanted a normal life, something that didn't automatically link me to you or the Cards."
Syaoran felt guilt well up in the pit of his stomach but it was anger that surfaced. "But tha-that's stupid!" he spluttered. "You were given a gift – from Clow himself, no less! If I were given even half of the magic that comes so easily to you…"
Sakura's eyes flashed angrily, a huge transition from the sweet, wistful expression her face had held only a moment ago. "Oh, sure Syaoran. Because I should be so grateful to have something that bars me from having a normal life, that complicates situations, that stops someone from sending me letters or calling, or, or…"
She trailed off, suddenly exhausted and shook her head as Syaoran gazed questioningly at her. She shouldn't have said what she had. She didn't know him. Not anymore.
"Forget it," she murmured, her anger gone, replaced by her usual happy mask. "Get some rest. You only have two hours before you have to leave."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The horn beeped impatiently. Once, twice and then three times and Tomoyo rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"We try to do the guy a favour," she muttered. "And he starts beeping the horn at us."
Sakura cocked her head questioningly and Tomoyo kicked Touya as if to say 'Go on. Say it already.' When Touya still didn't say anything, Yukito pushed him forward gently.
"Go ahead, To-ya."
Touya growled, but complied. He took Sakura's hands in his and looked at her, feeling his heart swell. From his little baby sister to this woman. He had been so scared when he'd rung the Kinomoto household and nobody has answered. He'd then tried to follow the way Syaoran had gone but had gotten nowhere and had been finally relieved when Tomoyo had called him and told him that the both of them were at her house. He didn't know what he'd do if Sakura was lost to him.
"Well, there's a reason why Syaoran is still in that car, waiting for us," he said smirking a little. The thought of the gaki going through even the smallest torture still made him smile a little, even though he knew – or rather, he was forced into knowing by that wretched Tomoyo and that traitor Yuki – that the gaki and his little kaijuu needed each other.
Sakura looked puzzled and Tomoyo hid a smile. Her best friend had always been a little slow on the uptake.
"You're going with him," she said firmly.
"We'll take care of your father," Yukito chimed in helpfully.
"But," Touya growled. "If that gaki hurts a single hair on my sister's head, I'll personally go over there and castrate him."
"I'll miss you Aunt Sakura," Kokoro said solemnly from behind Yuki's pant leg.
"But…I'm not ready! I don't have my bags packed, I don't have a ticket…"
Tomoyo cut her off as she strode over to the mantelpiece and handed Sakura a small envelope with a flourish and a loving smile. "What do you think best friend's are for, Sakura-chan? Go on," she encouraged. "Don't make the same mistake twice."
Sakura's eyes welled up with tears as she grabbed Tomoyo in a fierce hug. "You are wonderful Tomoyo," she exclaimed happily. Tomoyo patted her on the back awkwardly, unable to breathe.
When Sakura finally let go, Tomoyo picked up something else from the mantelpiece that Sakura had still yet to notice.
"And this," Tomoyo whispered, handing her the scarlet book of years ago. "I thought you might need it."
Sakura's hand quivered as she took hold of what had once been her past, and what seemed to now be a part of her future. Then the strange look that had clouded her features was gone and she jumped up.
"Come on! Syaoran and I are going to be late!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Motoshiba Kenpei paced the confines of his prison angrily, cursing Sakura, cursing Syaoran.
But he still had one last card up his sleeve – one last card that would hopefully get him out of this predicament, for the Elders were due to contact him about his progress.
Just you wait, he smiled to himself, his lip curling slightly. You'll get what you deserve.
Only a moment later, a buzzing went off in his ears and the commanding tone of one of the Elders filled his mind.
Kenpei, it barked. Have you done as we told you?
Kenpei seized his chance. High Elder, I will deliver to you what you wanted. But first, that Sakura bitch has trapped me inside my own time spell. Once I get out of here I will set off to find them right awa –
It was with your own foolishness that she was able to do that, the voice admonished.
Kenpei's heart sank. I know Sir, but…
And you have failed us Kenpei. There was a finality in the voice that filled Kenpei with complete dread. You are of no use to us anymore. Goodbye.
And just like that, Kenpei's last card was gone, leaving him alone in his own prison, and as he sank to the ground it was for the first time that Motoshiba Kenpei allowed himself to cry.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meiling stood, listening to the conversation going on between Motoshiba Kenpei and one of the Elders. She felt a sense of happiness that Sakura and Syaoran were able to get away, but what now?
She strained her ears as the Elders murmured between themselves, obviously talking about what to do next.
"Syaoran is becoming a burden," one muttered.
"Yes," another agreed. "And we have no use for him, anyway. There are plenty of people here. Like that…"
His voice lowered and Meiling couldn't hear what was said.
"What are you saying?" another gasped. "Kill him? He's our blood for goodness sake!"
"A blood that has betrayed us," the last retaliated. "All in favour of disposing of Li Syaoran?"
Her heart thudded painfully against her chest at the various scenarios she imagined.
"Promise me that you won't do anything rash to help your cousin," a soft voice murmured in her ear.
Meiling whirled around and came face to face with her husband. Her eyes darkened. "And why not Tan Wen? He's my cousin. And the Elders are trying to imprison him!"
Tan Wen took her hand in his. "Please. If not for me, then for our baby."
Meiling's hand wandered to her belly of its own accord and Tan Wen's grip tightened. "Promise me, Meiling."
She could feel it, kicking against the palm of her hand. Her baby needed a future, a home, a family. But Syaoran…He had Sakura and Eriol. She would just have to hope that they would be fine.
Her eyes filled up with tears as she nodded.
"I promise."
@-------^-----------
Once again, gomen ne minna-san! So Syaoran and Sakura might be able to live in England with Eriol in peace for a bit. But the Elders are going to stop at nothing, Thank you all so much for being such wonderful reviewers and being so patient and kind. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas. Here's to the new year ahead!
Take this poll and voice your opinion!
The best Original Character so far is:
a) Minh Ji Kim: Syaoran's (dead) girlfriend.
b) Tan Wen Fong: Meiling's loving husband.
c) Luann Fow: Tan Wen's former girlfriend and Syaoran's provider of false identification.
d) Kokoro Kinomoto: Touya and Yukito's adopted child
e) Kenpei Motoshiba: Li Clan guard sent to bring back Syaoran.
If you want to know what these characters look like, I've been thinking about drawing them for a little show and if any of you would like to do a little sketch of your own, you're welcome to.
Kero-chan's Corner
::skips around happily:: Ah, I'm so happy. You all caught the reference to the scarlet book, didn't you? Thanks to all of you SpringbloomOpal has actually contemplated putting me in the story! Of course, I don't see why Yue got to be out with Touya-san and I got stuck inside the book, but I guess I can forgive it if SpringbloomOpal is willing to get me out of there.
Thank you so very very much all of you! And now…
Tomoe2Kenshin: Thank you very much for your review. ::steals your pudding:: My pudding!
Tupper: ::shifty eyes:: I have a feeling SpringbloomOpal is going to be having a little E/T in this somewhere and ::stops as a hand is clapped over his mouth:: Oops. I've said too much. Anyway, both SpringbloomOpal and I want to thank you for your review and she wants you to know that she put in an action scene just for you. :)
Kirei Blossom: Heehee. Flying pink pig? But then that would ruin my part in the story. I am the only cute little creature allowed to fly. Except for Suppi-chan but…::rubs hand eagerly:: I'll soon dispose of him. ::gets whacked by a broomstick:: I mean…err..Suppi and I are good friends! I would never do that to him! As always, thank you very much for your review. Yes, a cerulean-eyed, blonde Syaoran is…::shudders:: scary.
Haruka Hana: ::shrieks:: Let me out, let me out you evil reader! You can't put me in Iceland! I'm due for an important part in the next chapter!!! Let me out! Ooh! Pudding. ::eats pudding:: Well, at least you left me pudding so I can't be that mad. SpringbloomOpal would like to say thank you because you were the only one who answered her question about the Kim name and thanks for your part in the poll. She also wants to apologise for being late in updating.
GodsGirl7: ::giggles:: Stereotypical. How can it be stereotypical if the author left me out of the story? ::cries:: But SpringbloomOpal wants to thank you so much for your awesome review and hopes you didn't get tired waiting.
AngelSweetie: ::pouts:: No. You're not funny! You didn't even leave me any pudding and I love pudding. ::gets whacked over the head again:: Errr…SpringbloomOpal says that you are funny and if I don't shut up I won't be in the fic. So…::laughs nervously:: ha ha. You are so funny. ^_^
Mara-jade17: SpringbloomOpal thinks you rock for being a girl-power chick. And she also wants to apologise for being late and hopes you're still interested in this story. I do too. Maybe you'll leave me pudding next time. ::looks hopeful::
Kitten at Heart: I never liked Syaoran. Stupid gaki. Touya was right. ::cries out as SpringbloomOpal pinches him:: But SpringbloomOpal loves Syaoran so I guess there's no need to worry about him. Thanks for your review. She really appreciates it.
SibylSofiana: Wow. ::looks amazed:: You seem to know what SpringbloomOpal is thinking. If you've read this chapter you'll see that you were right.
Lizzy: I am not mean. ::huffs:: And Eriol is too a Satan. Once, ::whispers:: he plaited little pink ribbons in my tail and ::sobs:: Suppi-chan laughed and ::sobs:: ….Thanks for your review and SpringbloomOpal would like to apologise for not e-mailing you back but she has been very busy and unable to check her e-mail a lot.
XoDaniioX: Yes. ::nods:: Syaoran loves Sakura and…::punches the air:: if he hurts her I will whoop his arse!
Kaiwawata: ::screams:: Noooooo! Get away from me! You can't glomp me! ::scampers away:: Thank you for your long wonderful review and I'm so happy because you made Springy put me in the story! Yay! Okay…glomp me. Go ahead. Don't be shy. You know you wannnaaaaaaaa…
Kawaii-Cherrywolf: Heehee. ::giggles:: SpringbloomOpal loves cliffies. They are evil and she is evil. If she died I would finish the story ::puffs chest out:: It would go something like this…: and then Kero-chan the mighty beast of the seal came and made everything better and everybody gave him pudding and he lived happily ever after. The End.
MimiGhost: Thanks for your review. SpringbloomOpal wants to apologise for not updating soon and hopes you're not too mad. :)
Vixen: ::eyes light up:: Aaaah! Never ending pudding. ::jumps around happily:: Well, Vixen. Let me tell you you're my favourite reviewer, yes sirree. SpringbloomOpal doesn't play favourites but I, Kero-chan, will love you forever. Thank you for your helpful advice!!!
AvelynLauren: Wow. You have been so helpful to SpringbloomOpal. You never gave me pudding though ::pouts:: But you were right. Li did run. YAY! Thanks for your review.
Kayono: ::wears a pink bow tie, looking cute:: YAY! Pudding! Anyway, SpringbloomOpal has a surprise planned for the next chapter for all you S/S Confessing their love for each other fans. I just want to thank you for your pudding and your great review.
Jaina: Yay. Another one who think Syaoran should suffer. ::slings arm over Jaina's shoulder:: Yes, my friend. You and I are going to get along quite well. Thanks for your review. By the way…::looks hopeful:: do you have any pudding?
Carmela-chan: Thanks for your wonderful review. Yes. ::scratches head:: The first chapter was confusing, but oh well. Thank you again. I, Kero-chan, thinks that SpringbloomOpal was lazy and horrible and we should kill her because she didn't update and she still didn't put me in this chapter, although I think she might put me in the next chapter. Let's stab her together!
AnimeObsessionFantasy: Heehee. ::giggles:: You sound confused between the two choices. It's been so long since SpringbloomOpal updated that she doesn't remember what the choices were. But she'd like to thank you for an excellent review and hopes you're not too mad that she didn't update soon.
Cardcaptorfreek: Thanks for your suggestion and wonderful review. ::huggles::
Bonnie-chan: AAAAAAAAAAH! Pudding! ::glomps Bonnie-chan:: PUDDDDDDING, my love! PUDDDDDDING, my precious…oops. I think I've been spending too much time with Gollum. He isn't a good influence. ::shakes head:: But SpringbloomOpal wants to thank you so very much for being a great reviewer.
Dandy Mandy: Evil cliffhangers are evil. ::nods:: And evil cliffhangers from evil authors are eviler. ::nods:: I think ::whispers:: that SpringbloomOpal got a bit lazy and didn't write all the time like she was supposed to and…::gets thrown some pudding to shut him up::
Bloodlust Night: yes. ::nods:: Pudding is cool. Wait a minute…::narrows eyes:: You're not going to steal my pudding are you? MINE! ::scampers away:: ::gets dragged back by SpringbloomOpal:: Oh yes. And thanks for the superb review!!!!
Sara1664: SpringbloomOpal doesn't remember what D is and she didn't update soon so she says gomen and…::sniffs:: I don't know why she's making me say it. I'm busy with my pudding. ::gets pinched:: Okay okay. …And she wants to thank you so much for your review.
Kawaii-Syaoran: She left a cliffhanger because she is evil. Yes she is. ::nods gravely:: And she didn't even update fast. Ah. But she hopes you forgive her for that and thanks you for your review and I say…pudding please! ::grins widely::
BlackSpark: nobody understands Syaoran because he is EVIL! Did you know ::drops voice to a whisper:: I caught him trying to steal my pudding. MY PUDDING! Not even Sakura can touch my pudding. But SpringbloomOpal thanks you for your review very very much.
Evil Emzo-chan: You hypocrite for not updating! But at least I'm in your story. ::smiles widely:: SpringbloomOpal didn't even put me in her story yet. And NO! Betty Crocker is NOT evil. She makes cakes. People who make cakes are never evil!
…
But thanks for your review anyway! :D
Kero: I hope I didn't leave anybody out. And don't forget to leave pudding in your review! :D
SpringbloomOpal: Stop it, Kero-chan. You'll scare away my lovely reviewers.
Kero: Will not.
SpringbloomOpal: Will too.
And so the pair continued squabbling and SpringbloomOpal conveniently forgot to write Chapter 4 of Fall From Grace until the readers and reviewers kidnapped her and gagged her and made her promise to write it quickly next time…
