Azure Rosas: Konnichiwa minna-san! ^.^ I really must say, I feel like one of the luckiest people (yeah, yeah, I know, bad use of grammar) on earth because I got people like YOU reviewing my fic!!! It really means a lot to me. And I also have to say that I didn't really expect to be meeting any one or making any friends...but those of you who consider me a 'friend' or who I consider a 'friend' proved me wrong! -sniffs- I know I'm gettin' a bit sappy and a bit crappy on ya, so..sorry! ^^;;; I just can't help myself!! -sniffs- Anyway, lemme thank these people for reviewing:

Syvonair; kawaiiaznangel36; silvercherrywolf; Devils Sanctuary; KawaiiSakuraAngel; Litwolf689; Katie; Keetra; Chrissy; Animefreak242; HeavenlyAnimeAngel Arigatou minna-san! Now it's time for the fic!


"Speaking"
-thinking-/dreaming
(Author's Note)

Disclaimer: CCS rightfully belongs to CLAMP, and the song Dreaming Of You that's featured in here, is sung by Selena.

The Goddess of Light & The God of Earth
Chapter 29:
Arrival
By: Azure Rosas


_________


Syaoran and Sakura stood, their bodies tensing up as the shield around them flickered vigorously. It gave no signs of disappearing or dying out. Their muscles tightened while they gripped their weapons 'til their knuckles turned white. Their eye brows were furrowed, teeth gritted, and sweat rolled down the sides of their face. A single question ran through their mind: How come the shield hasn't disappeared yet? Dracul said that it'll only go away once he's defeated, and they defeated him! What was going on!?

"Maybe he's still alive..." Sakura's voice trailed off, all hope leaving her. "Maybe he managed to -"

But before she could finish her sentence, the shield flickered once more and lowered its defenses, vanishing from sight. The two chosen ones stood there with blank looks on their faces as realization slowly dawned on them. Sakura let out a sigh of relief, dropping to her knees. Both of them relaxed, loosening their muscles and grips on their weapons.

"You were saying?" Syaoran asked in a taunting voice. She looked up at him to meet his silently laughing amber eyes. She sent him a sweet, cheerful smile.

"I knew he was dead all the time," Sakura said haughtily.

He raised an eye brow at her, slumping on the ground beside her. "Oh really? I could've sworn I heard you say 'Maybe he's still alive...'"

She crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, you must be hearing things."

"Master Xiaolang! Sakura-sama!"

They both looked up to see Rage, Crystallight, and Gem running towards them, all having proud looks on their faces. "You won!" Gem squealed once they approached the sitting, weary fighters. "YOU WON!"

"Okay, okay! They get the picture," Rage grumbled, rubbing his left ear. He could only hope he wasn't deaf in that ear.

"You know...I'm quite surprised that you guys managed to beat him," Crystallight remarked, sending the two thoughtful glances. "No offense or anything, you're both really strong. It's just that...If Dracul was stronger than Zero and Hades, shouldn't he have been more of a challenge?"

"You're right," Sakura said, crossing her legs indian style and cupping her chin in one hand in a 'thinking manner.' "Maybe he was just bluffing?"

"Maybe..." Crystallight mumbled, a dark look on her face. It was evident that she was deep in her own thoughts now.

Trying to lighten up the mood, Rage smiled widely as he praised Sakura and Syaoran. "I'm proud o'you two! How'd you know how to use the Stones?"

"We didn't," Syaoran replied with a shrug. "I guess you can say that we relied on our instincts."

"You two never cease to amaze us," Gem commented, grinning down at them with her hands on her hips.

"Ano, Gem? Can you get me a connection with the Council of Gods?" Crystallight spoke up, interrupting their conversation.

"Sure," Gem replied, looking a bit confused though. "Why?"

"I need to ask any one of them about something," Crystallight answered, leaving out the details.

"Alright, but I need to know who it is that you wish to speak with."

She pondered over that for a while before saying, "Cyris."

Gem fixed her friend with an odd look. "Are you sure...?"

Crystallight sighed. "Hai. He's the only option I have right now."

"Fine...whatever you say...Oh, do you want me to make it so that all of us can hear your conversation?" Crystallight shrugged, and Gem took that as a 'whatever' or 'go ahead.' Smiling, she closed her eyes in concentration. Nothing seemed to happen at first, but then a voice suddenly spoke up in everyones' mind.

-Gah...What? Can't ya see that I was sleepin'!?-

"Oh shut up Cyris," Crystallight snapped.

-Ah yes...Crystallight. And, prey tell, what do I owe the honour of speaking with thee?- Cyris asked, his voice sounding humble and richly.

"Drop the act," the Goddess of Water groaned, rolling her eyes. "I need to...ask you something."

What seemed like a gasp could be heard crossing everyones' mind. -My word! That's a surprise! Who would've thunk it? YOU asking ME something? Ohoho...That's a surprise!-

Crystallight's eye brows started to twitch as she tried to keep her cool. "Look here, if ya don't shut up, then I'm going to come up there and reign all Hell on you! Do you wanna hear my question or not?"

-Alright..alright..but..hold on, 'kay?- He didn't wait for a reply. There was silence at first, and then the group could hear his voice, as if he were shouting somewhere far. -HEY! EVERYONE! GUESS WHAT? CRYSTALLIGHT IS ACTUALLY ASKING ME FOR SOMETHING!- In the back ground, people could be heard, some sounding surprised, others laughing as a few people could be heard saying "Really?" or "That's a first! Crystallight asking Cyris a question!"

Sakura and the gang sweat dropped, but Crystallight could be seen, her hands twitching and a vein popping in her forehead. She shouted loudly in her mind, her voice ringing out for EVERYONE that was around Cyris and around her to hear. -CYYRRIIISSS!!!!!! DON'T MAKE ME COME UP THERE!-

Rage had swirls in his eyes as he stumbled around, voices ringing loudly in his ears. All of the shouting was just too much for his poor, fragile ears. "Oi...pipe down, will ya?" He managed to mumble before collapsing on the ground. "I think I'm deaf...@.@"

Crystallight sighed, a sweat drop rolling down the back of her head. "Gomen, gomen. Now Cyris...be a good little boy and LISTEN TO WHAT I HAVE TO ASK!"

-Fine, fine- came his mumbled reply. -Go on, tell the oh-so-wonderful God of Wisdom, the question.-

Crystallight crossed her arms and asked in a challenging way, "Alright, if you're so smart, how come Dracul wasn't that much of a challenge for our chosen ones when he said that he's a lot stronger than Zero and Hades? Don't tell me that Zero and Hades are nothing but weaklings."

-It's quite simple really...- Cyris trailed off, sounding as if he just took a bite out of an apple. -Dracul thought he was stronger than them because they weren't at their full powers yet. So he never got the chance to witness them at full strength-

"Oh that's just great!" Sakura cried out. "After our few encounters and battles with Zero, we barely got out alive!"

From where Rage lied, he winced and cringed. Gem sent him a sympathetic stare as she shook her head. "Poor guy..."

-Gem! Is that you I hear?- Cyris asked, sounding pleased and happy.

"Er...No! You're hearing things!" Gem replied in a rush as she instantly broke off the connection, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Hoe? How come you said that?" Sakura asked, looking slightly bewildered.

"That guy's a flirt," Crystallight answered for Gem. "He constantly flirts with her...which gets someone mad quite alot."

Gem could be seen, her cheeks burning a flaming red. Sakura blinked, then glanced at the red-faced Gem and smiled widely. "Gem! Don't tell me that you have a crush!?"

She put her hands on her cheeks, shuffling her feet in an awkward way. "Ah..uh..N-no! What gave y-you that i-i-idea, Sa...Sakura-sama?"

Syaoran eyed her slyly. "Don't try to hide it! YOU have a crush!"

"Ooh!!! What's his name!?" Sakura questioned, clasping her hands together, her emerald eyes sparkling gleefully.

Rage, who somehow managed to fully recover after hearing their conversation, was up on his feet in an instant. He rested an arm on her shoulder, smirking. "I'll tell you his name! His name is -" He was cut off though by Gem's hand who quickly clamped one over his big mouth.

"Shut up before I tell Crys' what really happened to her goldfish."

His eyes went wide and Crystallight had her full attention on them in an instant. "Oh? And exactly what happened to my goldfish?"

Rage pulled Gem's hand away. "SHE'S LLLYYYIIINNGG!!! DON'T BELIEVE ANY WORD THAT SHE SAYS!!!"

"What. Happened. To. My. Goldfish?" Crystallight asked again, though through gritted teeth.

"Well, you now how he said that your fish was eaten by a cat?" Gem questioned. Rage was up in panic as he tried to somehow stop her from spilling it out, but she easily held him back. Crystallight nodded. "Let's just say that it never really died by getting eaten...it never died at all. He flushed it down a sink."

Her eyes went wide in outrage as she fixed her boyfriend with burning, flaming eyes. He laughed nervously, backing away as a few sweat drops rolled down the back of his head. He waved his hands defensively, Crystallight advancing towards him. "Er...Can't we talk this over like civilized people?"

She let out a growl before breaking into a run. He turned tail and ran for his life. Syaoran's and Sakura's eyes turned to dots and Gem could be seen, laughing her head off while clutching her ribs.

"Do you think he'll live?" Sakura whispered to Syaoran.

He sweat dropped. "He'd be lucky if he came back with every bone in his body snapped at different angles."

"Heh...I guess you're right."

Rage's cries for help could be heard, but went unheard by Gem's, Sakura's, and Syaoran's ears as they made a fire with one of Syaoran's fire ofudas. They rounded the horses around the fire and managed to find some logs that they could use to sit on. After that, Gem used one of her spells to concoct some food for them. An hour or so passed when Rage came back, looking slightly harassed. But the odd thing was, he had on a dreamy look, and his hair and clothes seemed a bit tattered and unruly. Crystallight followed behind, straightening her own clothes and hair as she sat down calmly and began to eat. Sakura, Syaoran, and Gem sent each other a sly look, trying to stifle their snickering by munching on their food.

After all of the troubles they've faced in the past, and the ones they knew they'd have to face in the future, their spirits were lifted and everyone was obviously in a good mood that didn't seem possible to spoil. They were all just to light hearted to be serious and think about the perils they may face coming in the near future. The gang simply laughed, enjoying themselves over a conversation. Once they were done chattering and when they were done devouring their food, they all turned in for the day and went to sleep.

Sakura's Dream

Parting her eye lids, she found herself standing at the edge of a cliff. She remembered this place from one of her earlier dreams that she had way before Japan was ever destroyed. The harsh waves crashed dangerously against the jagged rocks down below. Sea gulls, and all sorts of other birds could be seen flying up ahead. A swift wind blew, making her hair bellow out before her, but the wind didn't seem to phase her that much as she stared out over the sea. The trees behind her swayed to the side and animals scuttled about. The sun and moon could be seen up on the sky, both aligned in a straight line. A few bright stars could be seen, twinkling down at the Earth and planets could easily be distinguished.

"Save us..." the wind whispered.

"...before it's too late..." a crow cawed as it took flight from its perch on a tree.

What seemed like a drum beat began to pound loudly all around her. Her own heart pounded in rythm with it.

"Don't let them destroy more of the world!" a white rabbit pleaded, looking up at her and she looked down at it in return.

"You and the Little Wolf are our last hope," a wolf howled before running off into the woods.

"I know..." Sakura whispered, picking up the rabbit and stroking its soft snow-white fur. "I know."

"We have faith in you..." a familiar, feminine voice murmured gently in her ears. But Sakura saw no one besides her, the sea, the world, the animals, and the galaxy up ahead. "And remember, we're all watching over you, my dear cherry blossom. No matter what, always remember we love you."

Sakura closed her eyes, then re-opened them, a soft smile playing across her lips. "I know, 'kaa-san." The beating of drums stopped and everything went still. All that could be heard were the voices of nature.

"Save us!"


End of Dream
Next Day


She opened her eyes and blinked furiously as she tried to adjust to the brightness of the eclipse. Once done, she sat up, stretched her arms, and yawned loudly. Rubbing her eyes again, this time to drive away her sleepiness, she found Gem sitting at one of the logs, poking the fire to keep it running. Glancing at her watch, her eyes buldged out of her sockets to see that it was only 30 minutes before 6 in the morning. That was a new record for her! Sighing, she stood up and approached Gem who looked up at her when sensing her.

"Ohayou Sakura-sama!" Gem chirped, smiling at her as she took a seat beside her.

"Mornin' Gem-san," Sakura replied, grinning in return. "Do you always wake up this early?"

"Most of the time," she replied. "And I see that you're up early also." She let out a laugh. "So far...I find that a first."

Sakura couldn't help but grin wider. "Yeah, it is a first. Never really wake up early."

Silence enveloped the two girls and all that could be heard was the crackling of the fire as embers shot into the air. Gem poked at the fire again with her stick before breaking the silence. "Ano...Sakura-sama? If you don't mind me asking, how come you said that one time that you can't love Master Xiaolang?" She sent a side ways glance at her and immediately added when seeing her dark expression, "but you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I'll completely understand."

She shook her head, heaving her shoulders in a sigh. "No...I'll tell you. I'm going to have to tell someone sooner or later..." She inhaled deeply, her eyes seemingly distant as a memory flooded her mind. "Let me ask you something first...have you ever been...been..." She hesitated with the last word, "...raped?"

Gem's eyes went wide in surprise and realization, a look of horror crossing her face. "Oh my...Were you...? You were...I never knew..."

"Of course you wouldn't know," Sakura murmured, bowing her head as if in shame. "I never told you so I don't expect you to know."

"Who-?"

"It was my ex-boyfriend," Sakura replied, hugging herself tightly as tears sprang to her eyes.

A look of outrage and sheer anger was instantly on Gem's face. "WHAT!?"

"Shh!" Sakura hushed, looking around to make sure the others weren't awake.

Gem managed to calm herself, but just barely. "Are you serious?" Sakura nodded, bitting her bottom lip to stop herself from crying. "When did he...you know...?"

"Last year when I just turned 16." She clung onto the sleeves of the cloak, her body trembling. "He...He invited me to his house; No one was there but me and him; We were watching movie he rented...and...and then...he..he..." She couldn't take it anymore. Her tears just leaked down her cheeks like a waterfall. Gem gazed at her sadly and sympathetically, though a hint of anger could be seen in her eyes, anger that she held for the guy who did this to her. She wrapped a comforting hand around the crying Goddess' shoulder, trying to comfort her by rubbing her back.

"There, there Sakura-sama...Let it all out," she murmured soothingly. "It's all in the past now."

"But I was so scared..." Sakura's muffled whisper came. She had her face burried in her hands.

"How did you manage to escape?" Gem couldn't help but ask.

"A friend of mines, Yamazaki-kun, he was also a 'friend' of my ex-boyfriend's. He came over the house needing to talk to him and when he saw what he was doing...he beat the crap out of my ex before taking me to the hospital," Sakura explained, her sobs and crying coming to a cease as she stared at the fire with a grim look of satisfaction on her face. "That bastard deserved what he got. He was put in jail after that. Life has been better since then. I got over that but some of the people at my school, who heard about what happened, stays away from me because they think I'm dirt."

"People these days...They're all so cruel!" Gem muttured beneath her breath. "No one gives a damn about other peoples' feelings!"

"Oh well, I got over it. It's all in the past now," Sakura said, letting out a sigh. "But I just don't know if I can trust any other guy...I trusted Kiechi with all my heart, but he broke that trust."

"Yes, but don't you trust Xiaolang?" Gem asked softly.

"...I trust him," she replied. "I trust him more than I ever trusted anyone."

"Then why are you letting what Kiechi did, get in the way of your feelings for him?"

"Because...I vowed to never fall for another man since then."

"Sakura-sama, listen to me." Gem knelt infront of her, placing a hand on either of her shoulder as she stared intently into her emerald orbs. "Some promises and vows are meant to be broken, and the one you made...is one of them. Don't let what Kiechi did cloud your instincts and vision. Don't let the past hold on to you. Let it go."

Sakura stared back at her, remaining silent before speaking up. "I'll try..."

Gem shook her head. "No...PROMISE me. Make this one of those promises that are meant to never be broken."

A smile crossed Sakura's face as she nodded. "Alright, I promise." Then her smile turned into a sly and evil one. Gem blinked and started to become a little bit nervous. "Now I have a question for you."

"N-nani?" Gem stuttered, gulping.

"Who's this guy you have a crush on!?" Sakura asked, her emerald eyes laughing silently at Gem's madly blushing face.

She fiddled with her thumb, staring down at her hands as her cheeks turned several shades of red. "Well...."

"Oh c'mon! Spill it out!" Sakura urged, not being able to contain her eagerness. "Who's the lucky guy, eh?"

"His name's Kinto," Gem replied, turning a darker red, if that's even possible for she already looked like a tomato. "He's the God of the Moon."

Sakura smiled widely. "Does he know?"

"Actually...We've been dating for a while now. Rage and Crys' don't know that so PLEASE don't tell ANYONE!" She looked at Sakura with begging and pleading eyes.

"I won't, I promise."

Gem sighed with relief. "Arigatou, Sakura-sama."

"Oh, and while we're at it, please, drop the 'sama'," Sakura pleaded. "It makes me feel...old."

Gem giggled and nodded. "Alright, Sakura-chan."

When their conversation ended, Syaoran woke up, followed by Crystallight and only Rage was the one who was sleeping. He had on a dreamy look, mumbling God-only-knows-what in his sleep. Sweat dropping, Crystallight leaned over him and whispered something into his ear that instantly brought him into the world of consciousness.

"Really!?" he asked, looking at her hopefully and eagerly.

"Not unless you hurry and get up," Crystallight replied calmly, saddling her horse. "We're about to set off again."

Rage sighed, got up and started to saddle his own horse. He was smiling to himself as he hummed a song, still in a happy mood from yesterday, and probably a lot more happier after what Crystallight whispered to him. Sakura sweat dropped, possibilities of what she told him running through her mind. Everyone mounted their own horses once they were done and instantly set off, still in higher spirits.

"OH! I NEARLY FORGOT!" Rage exclaimed, a few hours later. Everyone nearly fell off of their now walking horses from startlement at his sudden exclamation. He smiled widely, bringng Flame to the side of Jade as he grinned innocently at Sakura. "So, you thought I forgot, eh?"

She blinked, looking more than just bewildered. "Hoe?"

"Don't play dumb with me," he stated darkly. "I know you're tryin' to get out of it, but I ain't lettin' ya off the hook that easily!"

Sakura looked at him oddly. "I don't know what you're talking about...Really...I don't."

Syaoran chuckled in amusement. "He wants you to sing for us, Sakura."

Her face fell almost instantly. "Hoee...Do I have to?"

"Oh c'mon! Just one little song can't hurt," Rage urged, eager for SOMEONE to sing.

She sighed in defeat. "Fine. What do you want me to sing?"

He put a finger on his chin in a thinking manner. Before he could respond, Gem whispered something into her ear. Her face lit up and she nodded before clapping her hands together. "Alrighty then! Here goes..." She took in a deep breath, and let the words flow out of her mouth:

"Late at night when all the world is sleeping
I stay up late and think of you
And I wish on a star
That somewhere you are thinking of me, too.

'Cause I'm dreaming of you tonight
'Til tomorrow I'll be holding you tight
And there's nowhere in the world I'd rather be
Than here in my room, dreaming about you and me

Wonder if you ever see me and I wonder if you
know I'm there (Am I there)
If you looked in my eyes would you see what's inside,
Would you even care?

I just wanna hold you close but so far
All I have are dreams of you.
So I wait for the day, and the courage to say
How much I love you.

I'll be dreaming, of you tonight
'til tomorrow, I'll be holding you tight.
And there's nowhere in the world I'd rather be
Than here in my room, dreaming about you and me.

Late at night when all the world is sleeping
I stay up and think of you.
And I still can't believe that
You came up to me and said
I love you,
I love you, too.

I'll be dreaming with you tonight
'til tomorrow and for all of my life
And there's nowhere in the world I'd rather be...
Than here in my room, dreaming of you endlessly."


Sakura hung onto the last note before ending the song. She then pulled the hood of the cloak over her head, trying to hide her embarrassed face. Gem could be seen, grinning from ear to ear, her hands clasped together, and a starry-eyed look on her face as she squealed once she was done. "YOU WERE GREAT!"

Unfourtanately for Rage, he was riding next to Gem when she squealed, causing him to wince and steer his horse away almost instantly. "Yeah, Sakura-sama, you were great! But...I'm just not sure if I'll ever be able to hear you sing again because I may end up deaf sooner or later!"

Crystallight rolled her eyes and couldn't help but smile at Sakura who tried to hide her face. "There's no need to be embarrassed, you were wonderful! Ne, Xiaolang?"

Syaoran grinned and placed a hand on her shoulder. "They're right, you know?"

She looked up at him with doubtful emerald eyes. "Really?"

He smiled warmly, causing the already embarrassed Sakura to blush even more. "Really."

She sighed. "Okay, whatever you guys say..."

Earlier

"Damn it! Damn it!! DAMN IT!!!" Hades roared, slamming his fist into the dark, cement wall next to him as the image of Sakura and the gang disappeared once Dracul's defeat became evident on the mirror. Cracks formed around his fist and his eyes glazed wildly with anger and hate. He had his teeth grinded, his muscles tightening and veins popping in his forehead. His face was flushed in outrage and it really seemed as if steam were about to pop out of both his ears.

"Father! You really should calm yourself!" Zero warned, his voice calm to any ear. But he wasn't really as relaxed as he sounded. He was restless and tense, just like Hades. Both of them couldn't help but wonder how Sakura and Syaoran were able to beat Dracul, the God of Fear.

"That foolish beast," Hades sneered venomously. "He clearly thought he was going to win! Just because he thought he was stronger than us...that didn't give him any good reason for his defeat!"

"Dracul was always one of them with the lower IQs," Zero remarked. "Next time, let's send someone that we know is smart enough to get the job done."

"There's no need for a next time," Hades growled, looking up at his son with a smirk and an evil glint in his eyes. "It's time we got the job done correctly. It's like how the old saying goes: 'If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.'"

"You're right," his son agreed without any reluctance. "We can't rely on our henchmen to get it done." Then he asked, "So what do you suggest we do?"

"We wait."

"Wait? Why?"

"Because...those little brats are headed our way. And once they get here, we'll be ready for them." Hades chuckled darkly, his laugh bouncing off the walls and echoing down through the corridors. "They won't even know what hit them."

_________


They continued to travel on, each finding their once happy mood...gone. All of them were serious and grim, a cold chill running up and down their spine. Their bodies tensed more and more with each step their horses took, bringing them closer and closer to Hades' castle. Even the horses were a bit restless, snorting and neighing softly once in a while. They could sense many dark presence lurking somewhere forward and they could only question themself if they were really ready for whatever challenge may await them over the horizon.

Sakura continually glanced at her watch every 5-10 seconds. Her face, along with the others, were pale and their knuckles were white as they gripped tightly to the reins. What seemed like an eternity, was only a minute when the group found their horses coming to a halt. They tilted their heads back a bit to get a better look at it.

"So...We're finally here..." Syaoran muttured, eyeing the dark, tall, foreboding castle. "We finally arrived at Hades' castle."

dun dun duuunnn! End of chapter


Azure Rosas: So? What did ya think? Did ya like it? Huh? Huh? ^.^;; Didn't really mean to leave the chapter hangin' there, but I just couldn't resist! Oh, and here's a list of some other Gods/Goddesses and Angels that I managed to think up:

Council of Gods
Cyris: God of Wisdom
Hoshi: Goddess of the Stars
Miha: Goddess of Time
Leo: God of the Galaxy
Vega: God of War
Kyla: Goddess of Reason
Council of Angels
Fate: Angel of Destiny
Blane: Angel of Balance
Hope: Angel of Faith
Libra: Angel of Riddles
Truth: Angel of Veracity
Justice: Angel of Equity

That's 'bout it! Tell me if they're good. They might be included sometime in the near future...I'm still thinkin' 'bout it. Anyway, it took me a lot shorter to post this than I thought...so...be happy! ^____^ And please, leave a review! Ja ne!