I am actually writing this the same day I put chapter 7 up - because I got three great reviews almost instantly - and I thought - sleep who needs it!

This chapter is especially dedicated to Chan-chan, because she's been there almost from the beginning, and always reviews - so I think it's about time she got a chappie dedicated to her. Also a huge thank you to KanbiAmi and Sakura-angel-04, your reviews really made me happy - and I'm glad I made your day a little better KanbiAmi! Hope this makes your next bad day awesome! And Sakura-angel-04, hee hee your like me and use the word really a lot! Yey

Anyways that's enough of my blabbering, but if you really want to know I am actually considering writing a sequel for this - I just don't have the plans down yet.

Ok I will get on with the chapter now (stupid me got all blabberey) hee hee it rhymed!

The Prophecy

Chapter 8 - The Gathering.


Sakura sat huddled in a corner in her dark world. The cold was so penetrating and she felt herself shiver through her loneliness. Her eyes where squeezed shut, the harder she squeezed them the less real everything was. And if she couldn't see she couldn't see the darkness that was slowly penetrating her soul.

"Sakura" echoed a voice through the darkness, washing a wave of warmth over her cold body.

A body so cold it could have been dead.

Sakura lifted her head and opened her eyes. She could feel the warmth but everything was still dark.

"Just an illusion of my mind" she muttered to herself.

"No Sakura, I am no illusion." Replied the voice.

"If your not an illusion - then why do I not see you" she whispered.

"Because you won't let yourself see me, open your mind." Was the reply.

Sakura squeezed her eyes shut once more.

"Sakura don't give up now. What's happened hurts I know, I knew your brother better than you know yourself. And it's his dying wish that is keeping me here to help you through what is about to happen."

Sakura's eyes darted open at the mention of her brother. She pondered for a moment - what could this person want. All he wanted was to hurt her - just like everybody else did.

"No Sakura, I am not here to hurt you - I want to help you," said the voice reading her mind.

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD" screamed Sakura, shaking with fear.

"Sakura, please listen to me, I am not in your head I can just hear you thoughts, they echo around you, casting you deeper into darkness. That's why you are still here, a strong soul like yourself would not be here if everything that has happened had happened differently."

"Please….just leave me alone" she whimpered.

"Sakura I can't leave you alone. I can't leave you on your own in this darkness, come into the warmth and the light. One step at a time and we will beat the darkness that encloses you." Soothed the voice.

"But, no, I can't. The light only brings pain and loss, the darkness is my friend," whimpered Sakura.

"Sakura, please don't think that. I have your friends gathered on the other side, and we need you to be there before anything can proceed. So much more is resting on you than you could possibly imagine," replied the voice.

"Who are you?" enquired Sakura, finding strength in the kind voice that was soothing her.

"I am the Angel Yue, I was with your brother, our two souls where one. When he died I promised that I would look after you, and come hell or high water I will do that. I need you to believe me Sakura."

"How, how come you were with my body and I never knew," questioned Sakura queried Sakura.

"He couldn't tell you, and I wouldn't let myself be seen. It all rests on something much bigger than you imagine. Please come with me, your friends are waiting." Replied the voice.

Sakura shook her head, feeling confused and lost. Could she trust this angel that knew her brother, or was he just there to send her on a journey filled with more pain.

"You know," voiced Sakura "it's hard to believe that an angel shared a soul with my brother."

"I know this sounds unreal and hard to believe- but it is true. Think of all the things that have happened over that last few days. How you where drawn to the same strange prophecy that Syaoran was drawn to. Receiving a strange necklace, being kidnapped, watching a guy burst into flames shortly after he shot your brother, your brother dying and you slipping into oblivion, Syaoran apologising to you. Is there any reason why I would not be real, and do you find it so strange now?" he asked.

Sakura shook her head, deep down she knew he was right - so many strange things had happened. But the hurt and the loss of her brother was still so close to her heart. Could she take another risky choice - and would it lead to more pain.

"Sakura, please - I need you to come with me, I am begging you. I have so little time left to explain everything that needs to be explained. Please trust me." He pleaded.

Sakura nodded her head, and as she accepted the truth a bright light erupted in the darkness. And there amongst the glare there stood the angel. His skin was creamy white and his wings innocent and perfect.

He reached out his hand to her, and Sakura stood up, touched his hand and was lead into the light by the angel her brother had sent.

~*~

"NO" screamed a man dressed in black.

He felt it, the pull of the weapon being taken away from his grasp. The darkness that had swallowed her had now released its grip, and she was free to walk.

"Yue - you will pay for this," he murmured, lying in an alley waiting for the paint to subside.

~*~

"Err - Tomoyo, what are you doing in my dream?" asked a confused Syaoran.

"Nu-uh buddy what are you doing in my dream," argued Tomoyo.

Eriol suddenly appeared, and both Tomoyo and Syaoran nearly fell over in shock.

"Ok Tomoyo I take it back - this is your dream, cause there is no way Eriol would ever be in my dream. Unless it was a murder scene," stammered Syaoran.

Tomoyo just glared at Syaoran as Eriol walked over to the two of them.

"Eh hate to state the obvious - but what are we doing here?" he asked

Tomoyo and Syaoran both sweat dropped.

"You are here because I called you here" answered a voice from above. "And I also have something for the three of you."

Sakura suddenly stepped out from an aura of light; her eyes squinted from the lightness that surrounded her.

"Sakura" yelled Tomoyo running over and tackling her best friend.

"Er hi Tomoyo" stuttered Sakura, a little unsure of what was going on.

"Hate to break up the little reunion" said Eriol "But could someone please explain what is goin on."

"Mister Hiiragizawa, Mister Li and mistresses Daidouji and Kinomoto, I have called you here because time is running out. I am the angel Yue, and what little time I have left I will try and explain what has been going on. If you please sit yourself." Yue waved his arms and four stools appeared. "And I will explain everything."

The four sat down, Sakura next to Syaoran and Tomoyo next to Eriol. Tomoyo and Eriol instantly noticed the lack of hostility between Syaoran and Sakura, but decided against mentioning it.

Sakura however was in a jumble of thoughts. She had heard everything Syaoran had said to her. And one part of her felt hugely guilty. She had been mean to him for so long, yet he was still there for her when she was in trouble. She had heard his apology, and had accepted it, but she just didn't know how to apologize to him.

Syaoran was also facing a similar dilemma, he too noticed the lack of hostility between them, and wondered if she had heard what he said to her, and if she did, did she remember it? He decided to let the matter drop for now, and listen to the story he was about to be told.

~*~

Meanwhile the four sleeping figures lay unguarded, open to any attack that may fall upon them.

~*~

"Please Yue," asked Tomoyo "Could you please explain why we are all here - and how come I am having this weird dream."

"You are here because I have gathered you, and miss Daidouji, this is not a dream, more of a conversation. The reason you are here is because of what struck you last night, when you were making coffee."

Tomoyo gasped, maybe this angel held some truth, and his aura certainly felt familiar…instead it was…

"You're the person who told me where Sakura was… in my vision?" she questioned.

"Yes that would indeed be me, and the only reason you where open to that vision is because of your affinity to Sakura. In some ways you posses your own magical qualities that you where endowed with many centuries ago."

All four sat there in a stunned silence.

"Centuries ago" murmured Sakura.

"Yes now this is too complicated to explain - please let me show you.

~*~ Centuries ago ~*~
(AN: right just let me explain this bit, it's similar to when Sakura had that vision in the final judgement - there their but they can't interact with the other people there - they can see what's going on, but they can't be seen - I hope this makes sense :s)

In front of them there stretched a beautiful land. But it seemed tainted; a dark cloud was slowly falling over the land casting it in darkness. But in the middle of the darkness there stood a beautiful white castle.

Sakura and the others floated towards this castle, when Sakura was suddenly gripped with fear. The darkness, it was so like the prison she had just escaped from. She felt a warm hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Yue.

"Sakura do not be afraid, the darkness cannot harm you, you don't exist in this world, think of it as a movie - you can watch it but not be seen by the cast." Soothed Yue.

Sakura just nodded and gulped down her fear. She felt a hand intertwine with hers, and saw that it was Tomoyo holding it. She felt so much gratitude towards her friend who had been thrust into this crazed adventure. She gave Tomoyo's hand a quick squeeze to let her know that she was all right, and they proceeded towards the castle.

~*~

Meanwhile in the present the dark force was battling his way through an army of angels to reach Yue, but there where to many and he found himself retreating to form a new plan.

~*~

The interior of the castle was beautiful. Tapestries hung on many of the walls and the stone floor was clean and emanated warmth.

"we are now in the castle of Queen Salira and King Shounou," commented Yue. "they where the rulers of this fair country almost a millennia ago, and you Syaoran and Sakura, are their reincarnations."

At this point Sakura and Syaoran's jaws hit the floor.

"We were married?" asked Sakura.

"Yes hard to believe huh" said Yue, brushing of the question. "Your two main advisors where Tomitri and Eling, of who Tomoyo and Eriol are the reincarnations of. And before you ask yes you two where also married."

Tomoyo's eyes glittered at this prospect.

"But they ruled this peaceful country until one day an ancient evil escaped from it's prison - as it can do every millennia, this all happened on midsummer's night. Sakura and Syaoran - is this ringing nay bells?" asked Yue.

Both Sakura and Syaoran nodded knowing what was to come next.

Yue ushered them into a great hall, where four people sat. Each of them a carbon copy of who they where now. There was a heated debate in the hall over the coming evil.

"Your majesty's - we must flee, to stay here is suicide. " yelled one person.

"No Kimori - you are wrong. We must stay. Once the evil has hold of here it will spread, and soon there will be no where left to run to" replied King Shounou.

There was uproar in the hall. Clearly many people disagreed, and their outrage was clear.

Queen Salira stood up and waved her hand for silence.

"My husband is right. I will stay and fight, those who wish to run may do so, and we have no wish to keep you here against your will. Flee if you must, but I am staying to fight" she said in a loud, clear authorative voice.

"I will stay here as well," stated King Shounou.

"And we will not leave our rulers who have done us no wrong over the past years." Shouted Tomitri, holding her husbands hand as he agreed with a nod.

The crowd dispersed, the meeting was over.

"Did we do the right thing my love" Salira asked.

"It was never our decision if the people should stay. But we must fight, as it was prophesied a millennia ago." He replied grasping his wife's hand and squeezing it reassuringly.

Yue turned to the four and began to explain the situation more clearly.

"Yes it was indeed prophesised a millennia before their time as well. And it will be done so until the evil is gone for good. The final battle is approaching, I will remove you to a safe distance.

"I thought you said that we could not be harmed in this past." Stated Syaoran.

"It is true that you can't, but being to close will distort the image. We will watch from above, and you will see the wider picture from there."

The five moved away, and watched from higher up. Sakura could see more clearly now the darkness was growing deeper and deeper. And the aura it emitted scared her terribly. It was too much like before, too much like being in the darkness.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned her head to see who it was. To her shock it was neither Yue or Tomoyo, but Syaoran. He smiled at her, and for the first time in many days Sakura felt that maybe there was hope.

"Thank you" she whispered.

They looked down onto the ground below, the darkness was gathering and forming a shape. It gathered into a human form, with a hooded cloak covering it's head.

King Shounou and Queen Salira stood tall with Tomitri and Eling by their side. Sakura looked at her other self and felt proud. Here was a girl not much older than her, standing up to an impossible darkness.

The battle began. Shounou and Eling where fighting the darkness with swords, and Salira and Tomitri where stood behind them chanting. All of a sudden a white light burst from Salira's chest and was absorbed by Shounou's sword. With one swift movement he cut through the darkness, and an eruption of light shone over the kingdom.

Shounou and Salira embraced, the evil had passed and their kingdom was safe.

"He will return - will he not" Salira asked her husband.

"He will indeed - we must send a warning to the next pair." Stated Shounou.

Yue turned and face the four.

"We must return to out time now. You're souls are not used to being out of their time zone, and it is vital for you all to be at full strength."

They found themselves back in the white room they had been in earlier, and placed themselves on the stools that were waiting for them.

"First let me explain something - although what happened back there may have seemed easy it will be different this time. This is the final battle and evil has been gathering strength for over a millennia now. I do not know how you are to defeat it, I just know it must be done, because if it is not, the world will be engulfed in darkness and the light will never shine again. This is the final chance we have to put the evil away."

"so you mean that this momentous task has been handed down to us, and we will get no more guidance on it?" asked Syaoran.

"I am afraid that is true. I have broken nearly every law I can think of just to tell you this much, please I beg of you, you must find a way." He pleaded

"Well you know what they say guys - where there's a will there's a way" stated Tomoyo. "I don't know what I can do, but if I have to stare evil in the eye just so I can live out my life then I bloody well will. We have all been through to much to give up now."

"Hey Tomoyo" asked Yue, "Ever thought of being a motivational speaker?"

"Ok enough of the jokes" said Sakura, a dead set look on her face. "Tomoyo is right. I didn't loose my brother to watch someone try and take my life away from me. That's it I am going to kick evils butt into oblivion."

Both Eriol and Syaoran looked at the girls in awe - this meant trouble.

"Well I guess if Tomoyo's so set up against this then I'll get dragged into it anyway. Here goes nothing!" muttered Eriol, earning a sharp poke in the ribs and a glare from Tomoyo.

Syaoran just nodded his head in agreement, keeping his eyes away from Sakura's. He needed to sort some stuff out in his head before he could talk to her.

~*~

The dark master was pushing his way through the angels with reinforcements. It was a massacre - dead angels lay everywhere, the pure blood spilling onto the floor and seeping into the shoes of that were left. Torn wings lay everywhere and feathers floated down like a heavy snowfall.

"Just you wait Yue - I will have you yet," yelled evil as he killed yet another angel.

~*~

The room that they where all sat in began to shake and rumbles. And a blood red crack appeared upon the ceiling. Yue looked up in fear, and if possible his pale skin paled further.

"Shit" yelled Syaoran "what the hell is going on here?"

"It's the master, "replied Yue "he knows what I have done, and is coming for me now. I fear I have put your lives in danger."

As those very words left his mouth a dark hole appeared in the white room, creating an electrifying contrast. And through the gaping hole stepped a figure cloaked in darkness.

"Yue" he greeted "having killed many of your comrades - you are the one I will enjoy killing the most."

His gaze swept the room.

"Ahh the four. Yes my little cherry blossom I knew you where one of them, but the little wolf, you are too weak to stop me. Even with the help of your friends you will never succeed. And cherry - don't forget the pain he has put you through. Why not retreat back into your dark prison - where no one gets hurt" he sneered.

Yue stepped in front of the four, his wings spread protecting them from the abuse he was poisoning their minds with.

"You must go now" he yelled at them. "He can still kill you here, and I cannot stop him."

"Aww leaving so soon" chided evil in a mocking voice. "Stay a while and watch while I slay your angel friend. And by the time you get back it will be too late, there are people out looking for you now - you will soon be dead."

Sakura's eyes opened wide in horror. It was happening again. Although she may not have known Yue long, he had been part of her brother, a part she wanted to keep.

"Sakura, go. Do not worry about me, I have done as your brother requested. I can die - but I will always be with you. Please go. The necklace will protect you and those around you. Please Sakura go." He yelled.

Sakura took on last lingering glance at the last remaining piece of the puzzle before jumping through the door that opened before her. Tomoyo and Eriol followed shortly after.

"Syaoran, wait just a sec. You need to get to the hospital ASAP - you are not within the range of the protective power of the necklace. Now GO. I can take care of myself."

Syaoran took one last look at the angel who had managed to turn his life upside down, but at the same time had brought something special back into it.

"Good luck Yue," he whispered as he leapt through the door.

"Now Yue" chided the dark master "it's just the two of us. And you know you don't stand a chance."

"I will not die by your sword," he proclaimed. And with that he drew his own sword and ran it through his heart.

With his dying breath he whispered something, and that something caused evil to scream in anger.

~*~

Across town 4 individuals awoke with a start, and all headed to one place.

Sakura's room.

~*~ End Chapter Eight~*~

AN: Phew - that was a heck of a lot of typing. I'll get this up ASAP, but I still have to run spell check and put in the html (GARG) and that will take time, as the entire page is littered with little red underlining.
It is now 2:43 - and I think I might start on the next chappie.
And the reason I am yet to give you evil's name is because it would give away the rest of the plot (but I think most of you have allready guessed. (Darn you clever people, now you've ruined the surprise)
Don't forget to review - hope that wasn't too confusing.
Ja
demi-kaijuu
-x-
(Ps - that was the longest chappie I have ever written - over 3000 words and spanning 10 pages, 3 cups of tea and 2 pro plus! GO ME - you can't say I am not good to you)