Azure Rosas: Konnichiwa minna-san! Here's the looonnggg awaited chapter: Syaoran's Confession! I'm not sure exactly how long ya'll have been waitin' for this...probably since he arrived in Japan. -shrugs- ain't sure. Well, first lemme say the disclaimer and THEN it's onto the fic.
Disclaimer: The cast of CCS does not belong to me, and neither does the song(s) featured in this chapter. Thank you very much!
The Goddess of Light & The God of Earth
Chapter 27: Syaoran's Confession
By: Azure Rosas
@---;---
"CAN'T ANYONE DO ANYTHING RIGHT AROUND HERE!?" A male voice roared loudly in a dark room.
Zero sat as he stared calmly at his father. "Father, please, calm yourself."
Inhaling and exhaling, Hades slumped in his throne like chair as he gazed through the darkness of his room where he knew his henchmen hid. "You're right...No one seems capable of doing anything these days." He tapped his fingers on the arm chair as he rested his chin on the other hand.
"That's simply because we've been underestimating them," Zero inquired, his voice sounding smooth and cold. "We've been putting to much trust in our minions that we completely forgotten the full powers of a God."
Hades glared through the dark void as he sensed them shudder in fear. An evil smirk crossed his face. "You're right. It's time we showed them our stronger henchmen."
"And who do you suggest we send?" Zero asked, raising an eye brow at him.
Hades couldn't help but chuckle. "None else then the God of Fear, who else?"
Zero's eyes went wide in surprise. "You mean Dracul? Are you sure you wish to send him?"
"I'm positive," he replied as he leaned back in his chair.
"But he never listens to us!"
"Oh, he'll listen alright. After he hears the proposition I have for him, he won't be able to help but oblige."
"Whatever you say...I just hope you know what you're doing. I'll be more than angered if the Cherry Blossom is destroyed."
Chuckling, confidence could be seen clearly in Hades' eyes. "Don't worry. I have it all under control."
Standing up, Hades strode down the short flight of steps as he made his way through the darkness. The sounds of frightened screeches, wailing, and scuttling could be heard. He knew that his shadow minions and other minions of theirs were running away just as a caution in case Hades or Zero wished to release their wrath upon them. A smirk of humor crossed his face. "Yes, run you idiots! Run for your pitiful lives and return to the Hell Hole from which you crawled!"
Zero walked behind his father, shaking his head as their running and scuttling became faint to both of their ears. "I guess I understand why our minions have been failing us lately...It's because you have been frightening them out of their wits."
Entering a different room, they found themselves at the top of a long, spiraling stair case that went all the way down stairs. It was a narrow path way with torches lit on either side of the wall. They started to descend down the stairs, the flames casting their shadows along the wall.
"I can't help myself," he replied. Then he simply changed the subject with an out of the blue question, "What are you going to do with the Card Mistress once you claim her?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Zero asked, his tone flat and his face expressionless. "I'm going to make her my bride."
They reached the bottom of the stair case in minutes. Both were quiet as they entered through a new door. Inside, all was empty. Nothing decorated the room. It looked gloomy and foreboding that would send cold chills up anyone's body. The only thing there was a huge, outline of a circle on the wall. Approaching it, they stood a safe distance away. Hades eyed it as his eyes flashed a bright jade. Then, the inside of the circle seemed to come to life as a red glow emitted from it and started to swirl. It looked like a portal, or a vortex, whichever you prefer.
Holding out both hands in front of him, Hades then spread it out to either side of him as he called out in a clear, loud voice: "I, Lord Hades, commands you, God of Fear: Dracul, to appear!"
A loud ear-splitting roar came from the portal as the room they were in began to grumble and shake. Something could be seen coming from the inside of the circle. Once it was fully out, Hades and Zero was able to make out its features. Dracul was a huge looking monster with a long bulky body covered entirely of what resembled black charcoal. He glared at them with lava-red eyes and barred his sharp, knife like teeth. Chains could be seen on both of his wrists, ankles, neck, and waist that connected to somewhere inside of the portal. He let out a huff from his nostrils and out sprouted gray smoke. He glared at the both of them, looking quite angry. "Who was it that summoned me!?" His voice made the walls tremble.
"It was I who summoned you," Hades replied, not looking the least bit scared of this huge, towering monster.
"Hades!?" he exclaimed with rage. "What business do you have with ME!?"
"I need you to do me a favor," he answered with his arms behind his back.
"What's in it for me?" Dracul asked, suddenly becoming very interested.
"Your freedom," was his reply as his eyes flashed dangerously.
What seemed like a grin, crossed Dracul's face. "You got yourself a deal. What is it you want me to do?"
"It's quite simple, really...."
Meanwhile
Sakura began to hum a song as she straddled Jade up. "Veo cada estrella en el brillo de tus ojos. Veo primavera, en medio del otoño. Veo lluvia fresca, luz de luna llena. Veo que mi vida sin ti estaría a medias."
"What is it that you were singing?" Syaoran asked from behind her, startling the Goddess.
She blushed a bright crimson from being caught singing. Turning around, she tried to hide her flaming cheeks, but failed miserably. "Oh, just....something...." A sweat drop ran down the back of her head.
He couldn't help but laugh at her embarrassed face. Sakura glared at him, stomped her foot, and placed her hands on her hips as she pouted. "Mou, Syaoran-kun! What's so funny?"
He waved his hand as he finally regained his composure. "Nothing, nothing. So, what was it that you were singing?"
"Just a song I overheard one time when listening to the radio," she replied with a shrug as she returned to strapping the saddle on Jade.
"I know what you were singing!" Gem exclaimed, a smile on her face.
Sakura's face fell. "You heard me singing also!?"
She nodded vigorously with a cheesy grin. "And I must say, you have a lovely voice Sakura-sama."
Shaking her head, Sakura protested against that. "No. You should hear my friend Tomoyo-chan sing. She's a lot better than I'll ever be." A hint of sadness crossed her face at the memory of her dear, best friend, but it was instantly gone as soon as it came.
"But still," Gem persisted. "You have a wonderful voice. Don't you agree with me, Master Xiaolang?"
He grinned. "I agree wholeheartedly."
A light red hue crossed her cheeks. "Quit it you guys. You're just trying to embarrass me."
"Yeah, just leave Sakura-sama alone," Crystallight inputted. "You've embarrassed her enough for the day."
"And besides," Rage added in as his lips curved into a smirk. "She can sing for us later."
Everyone seemed content with that as they smiled, but Sakura didn't seem at all happy. Her face fell as a groan could be heard from her throat. "Hoe...You guys are evil."
"Oh c'mon Sakura-sama!" Rage exclaimed, throwing an arm around her shoulder. "Don't get mad, get glad!"
She glared up at him. "Do you know how old that is?"
He shrugged and grinned, showing all of his pearly white teeth. "Yeah, I know. But oh well."
"Well, it's time we set off in search of the Earth Stone," Syaoran said, dropping the subject.
"We won't be needing to do that," Gem said calmly.
"Nani?" Sakura and Syaoran chorused in unison as they blinked in bewilderment. "Why?"
She shrugged. "Don't ask me. Nadishieko-sama said we wouldn't have to search for it. She didn't leave a reason though. All she said was that it'll come to us at the right time."
"She obviously knows something that we don't know," Sakura murmured as she crossed her arms and furrowed her eye brows. She rubbed her temples. "Hoe...Why does everything have to be kept a secret from me and Syaoran-kun?"
Crystallight let out a sigh as she placed a hand on the confused Goddess' shoulder. "That's just the way things are, Sakura-sama. If we had our way, we would've told you. But the Council of Gods told us not to say a word to either of you. And the mystery with the Earth Stone is not only a secret to you two, but to us also. We're not sure why they would keep this a secret from us."
"I think they didn't tell us because they didn't want us to be keeping any more secrets from them as it is," Rage suggested, seeing that was the only reasonable answer.
"You're probably right," Gem agreed with a nod. (A/N: And he is right...but he doesn't know that...hehe...^^)
After a moment of silence, Syaoran broke it with a question. "If we don't have to go searching for the last Stone, then where are we suppose to go? We simply can't stay here forever until it shows itself."
Gem's face became grim and dark as she spoke in a low voice, looking back at the direction they've been traveling from. "She said...to go back...to go back towards Hades' castle."
"Nani!?" Rage exclaimed, looking just as shocked as everyone else. "Is she crazy!?"
"Hey!" Sakura said, looking offended. "My 'kaa-san is NOT crazy!"
"Gomen nasi Sakura-sama, I didn't mean no offense but...why would she want us to go there?"
"I know..." Syaoran spoke, sounding dark and serious. "She wants us to head back because that's where our battle against Hades and Zero will most likely take place."
Sakura gripped Jade's reins, her face paling. She wasn't ready to fight either of them and she wasn't really up to it. It was hard for her to believe that the final battle would take place. When? She did not know.
"It'll take us a few weeks to get there so we better leave," Rage stated as he mounted Flame.
They all nodded as they mounted their own horse. No second later, the horses were sent running like the wind towards the direction of Zero's and Hades' castle/base.
__________
What seemed like an eternity, was only hours as the determined travelers rode swiftly and silently on their trusty mares and stallions. The riders encouraged their horses to continue on faster by whispering comforting and soothing words into their small pointy ears. Sakura stroked Jade's mane, a gentle smile on her face. The wind whipped against her face and she enjoyed the sensation of riding. To her, it felt like she was riding the wind and was flying freely through the sky. Her mind though didn't feel as free as she felt. It was all turmoil and confusion going back and forth through her brain.
-I wonder what'll happen when we reach their castle? Will we be able to defeat Hades and Zero? If we do then...what next? Where will I go? Where will Syaoran go? Will he go back home? Will I be left in Japan...all alone? But if we lose...what will they do with us? Will they destroy us? Argh! Damn questions...- She furrowed her eye brows, trying to push all of those unanswered, and plenty more, questions to the back of her mind where hopefully they wouldn't bother her.
Glancing at her watch after a couple of hours, Sakura read the time to see that it said 9:43 P.M. Jade trotted to Silver Fox's side so Sakura would be able to talk with Syaoran. "Maybe we should stop for the night...you know...to refresh our horses and get some rest?"
He gazed around their area and noted where they were. All was barren besides a few burnt trees and a small, clear lake that glimmered brilliantly from the glare of the eclipse. He nodded in agreement with Sakura's suggestion as he signaled the others to come to a resting stop by the water. Dismounting their horses, they unsaddled them and placed the saddles somewhere near the mares and stallions. Looking at the lake, Sakura couldn't help but feel as if she'd seen it before. Crouching down by the edge, she dipped the tip of the fingers into the water, creating ripples. Standing up, she turned and faced Syaoran.
"Syaoran? Doesn't this place look...familiar? As if we've been here already?"
He looked up at her, then at their area, then back up at her again. "You know...I think you're right..."
Crossing her arms, Sakura racked through her brain, trying to find a time where her and Syaoran stopped near a lake during their journey before they met Gem, Crystallight, and Rage. "The only lake I ever recall stopping at was that one incident with the crimson lake."
"Maybe it's the same one," Syaoran mused aloud as he stood at her side, staring down at the clear liquid.
"But how is that possible?" Sakura asked, sending him a bewildered glance.
"It was probably Zero or Hades that rigged this place back then," Syaoran remarked.
Sakura couldn't help but shudder, remembering what took place the last time they were there. She could still imagine the zombies chasing them, and she could still remember the smell of the blood as she drifted deeper and deeper down. Her face paled a bit as her stomach churned. "I believe you're right. But I'm gonna just try and forget that little incident. It makes me sick just thinking about it..." She turned her back to the lake and took a seat besides Jade as she started to stroke the mare's mane.
__________
Syaoran sat at the edge of the lake, gazing silently into the water. He heard footsteps approach him and then Rage sat beside him. Sighing, he tilted his head back and stared up at the dark sky. "Don't even say anythin'."
Rage sent his Master an innocent stare. "What?"
He eyed him. "I know what you were going to say so don't even go there."
Rage shrugged and simply smiled at him. "Whatever you say, Xiaolang."
Silence enveloped the two boys, but that didn't last long because Rage broke it with a remark. "Are ya gonna tell her?"
Syaoran glared at him. "I knew you were going to say that..."
The Fire God stared at him with a serious look. "I won't stop badgering you until you tell her. You know that, right?"
"I think I'd know that by now," Syaoran grumbled, picking up a near by rock and flinging it at the water as he watched it skip a few times before sinking down under. "I'm just not sure if it's the right time to tell her."
[song starts]
I'm so scared that the way that I feel
Is written all over my face.
When you walk into the room,
I want to find a hiding place.
"Everytime is the right time to tell her!" Rage exclaimed, patting his back non-to-gently. "All ya gotta do is take a deep breath and say: 'Sakura, I love you.' It's as simple as that!"
Syaoran snorted. "Yeah, whatever. I sure didn't see you do that to Crystallight long ago..."
He looked away haughtily and indignantly. "That's besides the point! That has nothing to do with you and Sakura-sama." Then he eyed him slyly. "Is the all mighty Xiaolang Li...scared of one girl? I'm surprised!"
Syaoran narrowed his amber eyes at him. "Who said I was scared?"
"Well, you sure give off the impression that you are," Rage replied while shrugging, as if it were nothing.
"I know what you're tryin' to do, Rage, and it's not going to work," Syaoran growled.
"Well...it was worth a shot," he mumbled beneath his breath.
Sakura leaned against Jade, sleeping peacefully. Gem and Crystallight sat near the camp fire that Rage made before joining Syaoran. Both girls looked at the boys and immediately knew what they were talking about.
"Maybe it's not a good idea we leave Rage to talk to Master Xiaolang..." Gem commented, a sweat drop rolling down the back of her head.
Crystallight sighed as her shoulders heaved. "Do you even think he knows what he's doing?"
"You know what? He probably does," Gem answered with a grin. "He went through the same turmoil like the one that Master Xiaolang is going through." Crystallight blinked, obviously confused. "He was always so frustrated with himself because he wanted to tell you how he felt, but he never had the courage to...that is...until yesterday." The Water Goddess didn't reply, instead she just stared at the back of Rage in silence.
"Look, Master Xiaolang," Rage began with an annoyed sigh. "I know exactly what you're going through! I really hate repeating myself but just to refresh your memory: Don't wait until it's to late to tell her! She has to know how you feel!" He hit Syaoran across the head. "So get the message through that thick skull of yours and TELL HER!"
We use to laugh, we use to hug
The way that old friends do,
But now a smile and a touch of your hand
Just makes me come unglued.
The amber eyed boy rubbed his head, sending Rage one of his famous icy glares. "Next time...don't hit me so hard!"
"Do you think it finally got to his brain?" Gem whispered to Crystallight, both girls sweat dropping heavily when seeing Rage smack Syaoran up side his head.
"Yeah, I think he got the message," Crystallight replied back in the same low tone.
Later On
Sakura's eye lids fluttered open. She could feel the warmth of the fire beating against her as the light lit up her features. She opened her eye lids only to see a lone figure witting by the lake and she immediately recognized him as Syaoran. His green aura flared carelessly about him, looking like flowing water. He sat there unmoving and silent, never moving a single muscle. Sitting up, she noticed that all the others were asleep. Glancing at her watch, it was 1 o'clock in the morning. Getting up, she approached the lone figure and crouched down beside him. "Couldn't sleep?"
He looked up at her, then back at the water and sighed. "Hai."
She sat down beside him and hugged her legs close to her chest. She rested her chin on her knees and commented absentmindedly, "Isn't it strange that we arrived here so quickly? It was weeks ago the last time we were here."
He pondered over that for a while before replying. "Well, we have been driven back a few times by the enemy...and we probably made some wrong turns during our journey that we didn't even know we were at least a few days away from here. And besides, the horses get faster and faster each day in their running."
Sakura grinned, agreeing to what he said. "You're right."
Syaoran looked calm and relaxed on the outside, but in the inside, he was crumbling and falling to pieces. It felt as if a war was going on through his mind. A part of him told him to tell her while he had the chance, and another was telling him to keep his mouth shut so he wouldn't end up getting rejected. He let out a sigh. -Rage is right...I AM scared. I'm scared of some girl that I've only known for a month. But who would've thought that one girl can make me feel this way?- Yes, he admitted it. The bold, strong, brave, cold-hearted, uncaring, fearless Li, Xiaolang...was scared of rejection.
It's so complicated.
So frustrating.
I wanna hold you close
I wanna push you away
I wanna go
I wanna make you stay
Sakura stared silently up at Syaoran from the corner of her eye. A faint, light pink-red hue crossed her face as she immediately tore her gaze away. What was it about him that made her blush? Her heart pounded rapidly in her chest from just the thought of being in his presence. She didn't know if she would be able to stand anymore because her legs felt like jelly. -Oh Syaoran...What are you doing to me? Do you even know what effects you have on me?- She didn't know why she felt so warm inside. She didn't know why she felt safe being near him. She knew the answer was somewhere deep in her heart, but did she really wish to know?
Maybe that answer was the one she needed to know in order to fully have control of her powers. Maybe that answer is the one everyone has been trying to get her to find. But she didn't want to know anymore. She was afraid of what it was going to be. She bit her bottom lip, already knowing the answer at the back of her mind but refused to accept it.
Pushing all of her emotions away, Sakura decided to break the awkward silence between her and Syaoran. "So, Syaoran-kun? Do you think I'll ever be able to meet this Ying Fa that you so dearly love?"
He was snapped back to reality from her question and was blushing a bright crimson. "Um...uh...y-yeah..."
"When?" she asked while tilting her head to the side.
"Sooner than you think," was his reply.
She continued to ask questions. "Do I know her? Does she live here in Japan?"
"Yes, she lives here in Japan and you do know her."
"I do? But I don't know anyone by the name of Ying Fa..."
"You know her more than you think," he said in a mysterious way that made Sakura blink.
"Hoe?"
Syaoran chuckled. "Has anyone ever told you that you look cute when you're confused?" She didn't reply. Instead, she looked away, blushing like crazy.
Should I say it?
Should I tell you how I feel?
Oh I want you to know,
But then again I don't
It's so complicated.
"Will I meet her once all of this is over?" Sakura asked.
He shook his head, a slight grin on his face. "No. You'll meet her...tonight."
"Really?" Sakura exclaimed, but still confused. How could she meet this Ying Fa? "But...ano...Syaoran-kun? Wasn't she killed when Japan was destroyed?"
He shook his head again. "No. She's still alive."
"Then how come I've never seen her?" Sakura questioned, trying to remember if she's seen anyone besides herself, Syaoran, and the others. "Is she an angel?"
"Nope. She's a Goddess." (A/N: All of those hints he's givin' her...and yet she doesn't see!?! Arr!)
"Sugoi! Is she pretty?" she continued to ask him questions, obviously curious about this 'Ying Fa.'
He looked away, a faint smile on his face. "Hai...She is."
"I can't wait until I see her," Sakura commented softly, gazing back at the water. "I bet she's really nice."
"She's the kindest person you'll ever find or meet," Syaoran remarked, still smiling.
"Can I meet her now?" Sakura asked, looking up at Syaoran with pleading, emerald eyes.
He stared back at her and started to hesitate. Was he really ready to let her know? Inhaling and exhaling to calm his nerves, he nodded. "Yeah."
So complicated
I hate it!
So lo-ong for someone like you!
Oh, what do I do?
He waved a hand at the water, indicating for her to look down at it. "Look at the water and tell me what you see."
She did as she was told and looked. It was obvious by now that she was deeply confused. "Ano...Syaoran...All I see is mine and your reflection."
"Remember how I said that I was going to let you meet Ying Fa?" he said in a low tone. She nodded. "Well, in Chinese, Ying Fa means cherry blossom."
Sakura blinked, and then her eyes went wide as if she was finally understanding things. "Oh! She has the same meaning as MY name! What a coincidence!"
Syaoran fell backwards, anime style. Once he regained his composure, he stood up and helped Sakura up onto her feet. He told her to look back at the water again. "Don't you get it Sakura? Can't you see? You are Ying Fa."
Her eyes went wide, this time in surprise. Her heart beat harshly against her chest and she could've sworn that it could be heard by all ears. Her mind swam and she didn't know what to say or do at the moment. She now understood what he meant. He turned her around so she faced him as he stared intently into her shocked emerald eyes. He couldn't read any other emotion besides that stunned one and he was starting to doubt that what he did was right.
Oh should I say it?
Should I tell you how I feel?
Oh I want you to know,
But then again I don't.
So complicated.
He decided that now was the time to spill out those three simple, yet hard, words. He took in a deep breath, gathered whatever courage he could muster, and let the words flow out slowly, "Sakura, I love you."
An awkward, and unbearable silence grasped at the two chosen ones. Sakura simply stared up at him with the same surprised expression she's been having for the past minute or two. He was starting to feel nervous as the inside of his stomach churned wildly. Then, her expression turned into a sad one, and one that asked for forgiveness.
"Syaoran..." Her head shook slowly from side-to-side as she started to back away from him. "I...I...I'm sorry! But I can't love you!" She turned around and ran back to where the others were silently sleeping.
Syaoran stood there with a blank look on his face. He now knew what rejection felt like. It was like a great big knife cut his heart into tiny little pieces. Never once did he imagine that it could be so painful. I guess he had a right to be scared of it. Then, questions swam to and fro throughout his mind: How was it going to be like now between him and Sakura? Would he ever be able to show his face to her again? Will they ever be able to talk to one another? Will things between them be the same...or different?
End of Chapter
Azure Rosas: That was probably not the response you guys were expecting from Sakura...but oh well! ^.^ Anyway, the song that Sakura was singing in Spanish was a part from "Everytime I Think Of You" by Angelina, and the other song was called "Complicated" by Carolyn Dawn Johnson. -hugz Keetra- Thanks for the lyrics for "Complicated!!!" Welp, lemme thank these people for reviewing the last chapter:
Idiot2002
someone
Silvercherrywolf
Isa-chan
Animefreak242
Keetra
HeavenlyAnimeAngel
Arigatou minna-san! 'n'-e-who, please don't leave without leaving a review! If ya leave a flame then...kindly go easy on 'em. ^^;; -wavez- Ja ne!
Disclaimer: The cast of CCS does not belong to me, and neither does the song(s) featured in this chapter. Thank you very much!
Chapter 27: Syaoran's Confession
By: Azure Rosas
"CAN'T ANYONE DO ANYTHING RIGHT AROUND HERE!?" A male voice roared loudly in a dark room.
Zero sat as he stared calmly at his father. "Father, please, calm yourself."
Inhaling and exhaling, Hades slumped in his throne like chair as he gazed through the darkness of his room where he knew his henchmen hid. "You're right...No one seems capable of doing anything these days." He tapped his fingers on the arm chair as he rested his chin on the other hand.
"That's simply because we've been underestimating them," Zero inquired, his voice sounding smooth and cold. "We've been putting to much trust in our minions that we completely forgotten the full powers of a God."
Hades glared through the dark void as he sensed them shudder in fear. An evil smirk crossed his face. "You're right. It's time we showed them our stronger henchmen."
"And who do you suggest we send?" Zero asked, raising an eye brow at him.
Hades couldn't help but chuckle. "None else then the God of Fear, who else?"
Zero's eyes went wide in surprise. "You mean Dracul? Are you sure you wish to send him?"
"I'm positive," he replied as he leaned back in his chair.
"But he never listens to us!"
"Oh, he'll listen alright. After he hears the proposition I have for him, he won't be able to help but oblige."
"Whatever you say...I just hope you know what you're doing. I'll be more than angered if the Cherry Blossom is destroyed."
Chuckling, confidence could be seen clearly in Hades' eyes. "Don't worry. I have it all under control."
Standing up, Hades strode down the short flight of steps as he made his way through the darkness. The sounds of frightened screeches, wailing, and scuttling could be heard. He knew that his shadow minions and other minions of theirs were running away just as a caution in case Hades or Zero wished to release their wrath upon them. A smirk of humor crossed his face. "Yes, run you idiots! Run for your pitiful lives and return to the Hell Hole from which you crawled!"
Zero walked behind his father, shaking his head as their running and scuttling became faint to both of their ears. "I guess I understand why our minions have been failing us lately...It's because you have been frightening them out of their wits."
Entering a different room, they found themselves at the top of a long, spiraling stair case that went all the way down stairs. It was a narrow path way with torches lit on either side of the wall. They started to descend down the stairs, the flames casting their shadows along the wall.
"I can't help myself," he replied. Then he simply changed the subject with an out of the blue question, "What are you going to do with the Card Mistress once you claim her?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Zero asked, his tone flat and his face expressionless. "I'm going to make her my bride."
They reached the bottom of the stair case in minutes. Both were quiet as they entered through a new door. Inside, all was empty. Nothing decorated the room. It looked gloomy and foreboding that would send cold chills up anyone's body. The only thing there was a huge, outline of a circle on the wall. Approaching it, they stood a safe distance away. Hades eyed it as his eyes flashed a bright jade. Then, the inside of the circle seemed to come to life as a red glow emitted from it and started to swirl. It looked like a portal, or a vortex, whichever you prefer.
Holding out both hands in front of him, Hades then spread it out to either side of him as he called out in a clear, loud voice: "I, Lord Hades, commands you, God of Fear: Dracul, to appear!"
A loud ear-splitting roar came from the portal as the room they were in began to grumble and shake. Something could be seen coming from the inside of the circle. Once it was fully out, Hades and Zero was able to make out its features. Dracul was a huge looking monster with a long bulky body covered entirely of what resembled black charcoal. He glared at them with lava-red eyes and barred his sharp, knife like teeth. Chains could be seen on both of his wrists, ankles, neck, and waist that connected to somewhere inside of the portal. He let out a huff from his nostrils and out sprouted gray smoke. He glared at the both of them, looking quite angry. "Who was it that summoned me!?" His voice made the walls tremble.
"It was I who summoned you," Hades replied, not looking the least bit scared of this huge, towering monster.
"Hades!?" he exclaimed with rage. "What business do you have with ME!?"
"I need you to do me a favor," he answered with his arms behind his back.
"What's in it for me?" Dracul asked, suddenly becoming very interested.
"Your freedom," was his reply as his eyes flashed dangerously.
What seemed like a grin, crossed Dracul's face. "You got yourself a deal. What is it you want me to do?"
"It's quite simple, really...."
Meanwhile
Sakura began to hum a song as she straddled Jade up. "Veo cada estrella en el brillo de tus ojos. Veo primavera, en medio del otoño. Veo lluvia fresca, luz de luna llena. Veo que mi vida sin ti estaría a medias."
"What is it that you were singing?" Syaoran asked from behind her, startling the Goddess.
She blushed a bright crimson from being caught singing. Turning around, she tried to hide her flaming cheeks, but failed miserably. "Oh, just....something...." A sweat drop ran down the back of her head.
He couldn't help but laugh at her embarrassed face. Sakura glared at him, stomped her foot, and placed her hands on her hips as she pouted. "Mou, Syaoran-kun! What's so funny?"
He waved his hand as he finally regained his composure. "Nothing, nothing. So, what was it that you were singing?"
"Just a song I overheard one time when listening to the radio," she replied with a shrug as she returned to strapping the saddle on Jade.
"I know what you were singing!" Gem exclaimed, a smile on her face.
Sakura's face fell. "You heard me singing also!?"
She nodded vigorously with a cheesy grin. "And I must say, you have a lovely voice Sakura-sama."
Shaking her head, Sakura protested against that. "No. You should hear my friend Tomoyo-chan sing. She's a lot better than I'll ever be." A hint of sadness crossed her face at the memory of her dear, best friend, but it was instantly gone as soon as it came.
"But still," Gem persisted. "You have a wonderful voice. Don't you agree with me, Master Xiaolang?"
He grinned. "I agree wholeheartedly."
A light red hue crossed her cheeks. "Quit it you guys. You're just trying to embarrass me."
"Yeah, just leave Sakura-sama alone," Crystallight inputted. "You've embarrassed her enough for the day."
"And besides," Rage added in as his lips curved into a smirk. "She can sing for us later."
Everyone seemed content with that as they smiled, but Sakura didn't seem at all happy. Her face fell as a groan could be heard from her throat. "Hoe...You guys are evil."
"Oh c'mon Sakura-sama!" Rage exclaimed, throwing an arm around her shoulder. "Don't get mad, get glad!"
She glared up at him. "Do you know how old that is?"
He shrugged and grinned, showing all of his pearly white teeth. "Yeah, I know. But oh well."
"Well, it's time we set off in search of the Earth Stone," Syaoran said, dropping the subject.
"We won't be needing to do that," Gem said calmly.
"Nani?" Sakura and Syaoran chorused in unison as they blinked in bewilderment. "Why?"
She shrugged. "Don't ask me. Nadishieko-sama said we wouldn't have to search for it. She didn't leave a reason though. All she said was that it'll come to us at the right time."
"She obviously knows something that we don't know," Sakura murmured as she crossed her arms and furrowed her eye brows. She rubbed her temples. "Hoe...Why does everything have to be kept a secret from me and Syaoran-kun?"
Crystallight let out a sigh as she placed a hand on the confused Goddess' shoulder. "That's just the way things are, Sakura-sama. If we had our way, we would've told you. But the Council of Gods told us not to say a word to either of you. And the mystery with the Earth Stone is not only a secret to you two, but to us also. We're not sure why they would keep this a secret from us."
"I think they didn't tell us because they didn't want us to be keeping any more secrets from them as it is," Rage suggested, seeing that was the only reasonable answer.
"You're probably right," Gem agreed with a nod. (A/N: And he is right...but he doesn't know that...hehe...^^)
After a moment of silence, Syaoran broke it with a question. "If we don't have to go searching for the last Stone, then where are we suppose to go? We simply can't stay here forever until it shows itself."
Gem's face became grim and dark as she spoke in a low voice, looking back at the direction they've been traveling from. "She said...to go back...to go back towards Hades' castle."
"Nani!?" Rage exclaimed, looking just as shocked as everyone else. "Is she crazy!?"
"Hey!" Sakura said, looking offended. "My 'kaa-san is NOT crazy!"
"Gomen nasi Sakura-sama, I didn't mean no offense but...why would she want us to go there?"
"I know..." Syaoran spoke, sounding dark and serious. "She wants us to head back because that's where our battle against Hades and Zero will most likely take place."
Sakura gripped Jade's reins, her face paling. She wasn't ready to fight either of them and she wasn't really up to it. It was hard for her to believe that the final battle would take place. When? She did not know.
"It'll take us a few weeks to get there so we better leave," Rage stated as he mounted Flame.
They all nodded as they mounted their own horse. No second later, the horses were sent running like the wind towards the direction of Zero's and Hades' castle/base.
What seemed like an eternity, was only hours as the determined travelers rode swiftly and silently on their trusty mares and stallions. The riders encouraged their horses to continue on faster by whispering comforting and soothing words into their small pointy ears. Sakura stroked Jade's mane, a gentle smile on her face. The wind whipped against her face and she enjoyed the sensation of riding. To her, it felt like she was riding the wind and was flying freely through the sky. Her mind though didn't feel as free as she felt. It was all turmoil and confusion going back and forth through her brain.
-I wonder what'll happen when we reach their castle? Will we be able to defeat Hades and Zero? If we do then...what next? Where will I go? Where will Syaoran go? Will he go back home? Will I be left in Japan...all alone? But if we lose...what will they do with us? Will they destroy us? Argh! Damn questions...- She furrowed her eye brows, trying to push all of those unanswered, and plenty more, questions to the back of her mind where hopefully they wouldn't bother her.
Glancing at her watch after a couple of hours, Sakura read the time to see that it said 9:43 P.M. Jade trotted to Silver Fox's side so Sakura would be able to talk with Syaoran. "Maybe we should stop for the night...you know...to refresh our horses and get some rest?"
He gazed around their area and noted where they were. All was barren besides a few burnt trees and a small, clear lake that glimmered brilliantly from the glare of the eclipse. He nodded in agreement with Sakura's suggestion as he signaled the others to come to a resting stop by the water. Dismounting their horses, they unsaddled them and placed the saddles somewhere near the mares and stallions. Looking at the lake, Sakura couldn't help but feel as if she'd seen it before. Crouching down by the edge, she dipped the tip of the fingers into the water, creating ripples. Standing up, she turned and faced Syaoran.
"Syaoran? Doesn't this place look...familiar? As if we've been here already?"
He looked up at her, then at their area, then back up at her again. "You know...I think you're right..."
Crossing her arms, Sakura racked through her brain, trying to find a time where her and Syaoran stopped near a lake during their journey before they met Gem, Crystallight, and Rage. "The only lake I ever recall stopping at was that one incident with the crimson lake."
"Maybe it's the same one," Syaoran mused aloud as he stood at her side, staring down at the clear liquid.
"But how is that possible?" Sakura asked, sending him a bewildered glance.
"It was probably Zero or Hades that rigged this place back then," Syaoran remarked.
Sakura couldn't help but shudder, remembering what took place the last time they were there. She could still imagine the zombies chasing them, and she could still remember the smell of the blood as she drifted deeper and deeper down. Her face paled a bit as her stomach churned. "I believe you're right. But I'm gonna just try and forget that little incident. It makes me sick just thinking about it..." She turned her back to the lake and took a seat besides Jade as she started to stroke the mare's mane.
Syaoran sat at the edge of the lake, gazing silently into the water. He heard footsteps approach him and then Rage sat beside him. Sighing, he tilted his head back and stared up at the dark sky. "Don't even say anythin'."
Rage sent his Master an innocent stare. "What?"
He eyed him. "I know what you were going to say so don't even go there."
Rage shrugged and simply smiled at him. "Whatever you say, Xiaolang."
Silence enveloped the two boys, but that didn't last long because Rage broke it with a remark. "Are ya gonna tell her?"
Syaoran glared at him. "I knew you were going to say that..."
The Fire God stared at him with a serious look. "I won't stop badgering you until you tell her. You know that, right?"
"I think I'd know that by now," Syaoran grumbled, picking up a near by rock and flinging it at the water as he watched it skip a few times before sinking down under. "I'm just not sure if it's the right time to tell her."
[song starts]
Is written all over my face.
When you walk into the room,
I want to find a hiding place.
"Everytime is the right time to tell her!" Rage exclaimed, patting his back non-to-gently. "All ya gotta do is take a deep breath and say: 'Sakura, I love you.' It's as simple as that!"
Syaoran snorted. "Yeah, whatever. I sure didn't see you do that to Crystallight long ago..."
He looked away haughtily and indignantly. "That's besides the point! That has nothing to do with you and Sakura-sama." Then he eyed him slyly. "Is the all mighty Xiaolang Li...scared of one girl? I'm surprised!"
Syaoran narrowed his amber eyes at him. "Who said I was scared?"
"Well, you sure give off the impression that you are," Rage replied while shrugging, as if it were nothing.
"I know what you're tryin' to do, Rage, and it's not going to work," Syaoran growled.
"Well...it was worth a shot," he mumbled beneath his breath.
Sakura leaned against Jade, sleeping peacefully. Gem and Crystallight sat near the camp fire that Rage made before joining Syaoran. Both girls looked at the boys and immediately knew what they were talking about.
"Maybe it's not a good idea we leave Rage to talk to Master Xiaolang..." Gem commented, a sweat drop rolling down the back of her head.
Crystallight sighed as her shoulders heaved. "Do you even think he knows what he's doing?"
"You know what? He probably does," Gem answered with a grin. "He went through the same turmoil like the one that Master Xiaolang is going through." Crystallight blinked, obviously confused. "He was always so frustrated with himself because he wanted to tell you how he felt, but he never had the courage to...that is...until yesterday." The Water Goddess didn't reply, instead she just stared at the back of Rage in silence.
"Look, Master Xiaolang," Rage began with an annoyed sigh. "I know exactly what you're going through! I really hate repeating myself but just to refresh your memory: Don't wait until it's to late to tell her! She has to know how you feel!" He hit Syaoran across the head. "So get the message through that thick skull of yours and TELL HER!"
The way that old friends do,
But now a smile and a touch of your hand
Just makes me come unglued.
The amber eyed boy rubbed his head, sending Rage one of his famous icy glares. "Next time...don't hit me so hard!"
"Do you think it finally got to his brain?" Gem whispered to Crystallight, both girls sweat dropping heavily when seeing Rage smack Syaoran up side his head.
"Yeah, I think he got the message," Crystallight replied back in the same low tone.
Later On
Sakura's eye lids fluttered open. She could feel the warmth of the fire beating against her as the light lit up her features. She opened her eye lids only to see a lone figure witting by the lake and she immediately recognized him as Syaoran. His green aura flared carelessly about him, looking like flowing water. He sat there unmoving and silent, never moving a single muscle. Sitting up, she noticed that all the others were asleep. Glancing at her watch, it was 1 o'clock in the morning. Getting up, she approached the lone figure and crouched down beside him. "Couldn't sleep?"
He looked up at her, then back at the water and sighed. "Hai."
She sat down beside him and hugged her legs close to her chest. She rested her chin on her knees and commented absentmindedly, "Isn't it strange that we arrived here so quickly? It was weeks ago the last time we were here."
He pondered over that for a while before replying. "Well, we have been driven back a few times by the enemy...and we probably made some wrong turns during our journey that we didn't even know we were at least a few days away from here. And besides, the horses get faster and faster each day in their running."
Sakura grinned, agreeing to what he said. "You're right."
Syaoran looked calm and relaxed on the outside, but in the inside, he was crumbling and falling to pieces. It felt as if a war was going on through his mind. A part of him told him to tell her while he had the chance, and another was telling him to keep his mouth shut so he wouldn't end up getting rejected. He let out a sigh. -Rage is right...I AM scared. I'm scared of some girl that I've only known for a month. But who would've thought that one girl can make me feel this way?- Yes, he admitted it. The bold, strong, brave, cold-hearted, uncaring, fearless Li, Xiaolang...was scared of rejection.
So frustrating.
I wanna hold you close
I wanna push you away
I wanna go
I wanna make you stay
Sakura stared silently up at Syaoran from the corner of her eye. A faint, light pink-red hue crossed her face as she immediately tore her gaze away. What was it about him that made her blush? Her heart pounded rapidly in her chest from just the thought of being in his presence. She didn't know if she would be able to stand anymore because her legs felt like jelly. -Oh Syaoran...What are you doing to me? Do you even know what effects you have on me?- She didn't know why she felt so warm inside. She didn't know why she felt safe being near him. She knew the answer was somewhere deep in her heart, but did she really wish to know?
Maybe that answer was the one she needed to know in order to fully have control of her powers. Maybe that answer is the one everyone has been trying to get her to find. But she didn't want to know anymore. She was afraid of what it was going to be. She bit her bottom lip, already knowing the answer at the back of her mind but refused to accept it.
Pushing all of her emotions away, Sakura decided to break the awkward silence between her and Syaoran. "So, Syaoran-kun? Do you think I'll ever be able to meet this Ying Fa that you so dearly love?"
He was snapped back to reality from her question and was blushing a bright crimson. "Um...uh...y-yeah..."
"When?" she asked while tilting her head to the side.
"Sooner than you think," was his reply.
She continued to ask questions. "Do I know her? Does she live here in Japan?"
"Yes, she lives here in Japan and you do know her."
"I do? But I don't know anyone by the name of Ying Fa..."
"You know her more than you think," he said in a mysterious way that made Sakura blink.
"Hoe?"
Syaoran chuckled. "Has anyone ever told you that you look cute when you're confused?" She didn't reply. Instead, she looked away, blushing like crazy.
Should I tell you how I feel?
Oh I want you to know,
But then again I don't
It's so complicated.
"Will I meet her once all of this is over?" Sakura asked.
He shook his head, a slight grin on his face. "No. You'll meet her...tonight."
"Really?" Sakura exclaimed, but still confused. How could she meet this Ying Fa? "But...ano...Syaoran-kun? Wasn't she killed when Japan was destroyed?"
He shook his head again. "No. She's still alive."
"Then how come I've never seen her?" Sakura questioned, trying to remember if she's seen anyone besides herself, Syaoran, and the others. "Is she an angel?"
"Nope. She's a Goddess." (A/N: All of those hints he's givin' her...and yet she doesn't see!?! Arr!)
"Sugoi! Is she pretty?" she continued to ask him questions, obviously curious about this 'Ying Fa.'
He looked away, a faint smile on his face. "Hai...She is."
"I can't wait until I see her," Sakura commented softly, gazing back at the water. "I bet she's really nice."
"She's the kindest person you'll ever find or meet," Syaoran remarked, still smiling.
"Can I meet her now?" Sakura asked, looking up at Syaoran with pleading, emerald eyes.
He stared back at her and started to hesitate. Was he really ready to let her know? Inhaling and exhaling to calm his nerves, he nodded. "Yeah."
I hate it!
So lo-ong for someone like you!
Oh, what do I do?
He waved a hand at the water, indicating for her to look down at it. "Look at the water and tell me what you see."
She did as she was told and looked. It was obvious by now that she was deeply confused. "Ano...Syaoran...All I see is mine and your reflection."
"Remember how I said that I was going to let you meet Ying Fa?" he said in a low tone. She nodded. "Well, in Chinese, Ying Fa means cherry blossom."
Sakura blinked, and then her eyes went wide as if she was finally understanding things. "Oh! She has the same meaning as MY name! What a coincidence!"
Syaoran fell backwards, anime style. Once he regained his composure, he stood up and helped Sakura up onto her feet. He told her to look back at the water again. "Don't you get it Sakura? Can't you see? You are Ying Fa."
Her eyes went wide, this time in surprise. Her heart beat harshly against her chest and she could've sworn that it could be heard by all ears. Her mind swam and she didn't know what to say or do at the moment. She now understood what he meant. He turned her around so she faced him as he stared intently into her shocked emerald eyes. He couldn't read any other emotion besides that stunned one and he was starting to doubt that what he did was right.
Should I tell you how I feel?
Oh I want you to know,
But then again I don't.
So complicated.
He decided that now was the time to spill out those three simple, yet hard, words. He took in a deep breath, gathered whatever courage he could muster, and let the words flow out slowly, "Sakura, I love you."
An awkward, and unbearable silence grasped at the two chosen ones. Sakura simply stared up at him with the same surprised expression she's been having for the past minute or two. He was starting to feel nervous as the inside of his stomach churned wildly. Then, her expression turned into a sad one, and one that asked for forgiveness.
"Syaoran..." Her head shook slowly from side-to-side as she started to back away from him. "I...I...I'm sorry! But I can't love you!" She turned around and ran back to where the others were silently sleeping.
Syaoran stood there with a blank look on his face. He now knew what rejection felt like. It was like a great big knife cut his heart into tiny little pieces. Never once did he imagine that it could be so painful. I guess he had a right to be scared of it. Then, questions swam to and fro throughout his mind: How was it going to be like now between him and Sakura? Would he ever be able to show his face to her again? Will they ever be able to talk to one another? Will things between them be the same...or different?
End of Chapter
Azure Rosas: That was probably not the response you guys were expecting from Sakura...but oh well! ^.^ Anyway, the song that Sakura was singing in Spanish was a part from "Everytime I Think Of You" by Angelina, and the other song was called "Complicated" by Carolyn Dawn Johnson. -hugz Keetra- Thanks for the lyrics for "Complicated!!!" Welp, lemme thank these people for reviewing the last chapter:
Idiot2002
someone
Silvercherrywolf
Isa-chan
Animefreak242
Keetra
HeavenlyAnimeAngel
Arigatou minna-san! 'n'-e-who, please don't leave without leaving a review! If ya leave a flame then...kindly go easy on 'em. ^^;; -wavez- Ja ne!
