Hey, it's me again. Thanks for your reviews. I really appreciate the time you gave to read my work. Sakura2649 Thanks for all the support that you've given me and the ideas you gave (especially the ones for my summaries.I'm really not good with summaries so it really helped a lot). It's ok that you didn't write a long review. Anyway, thanks sis and don't worry.just take your time writing the next chapter to your fan fic and well, in this next chapter Shaoran and Kero will start fighting (don't worry bout it). Eien Ki thanks so much for your review and support. It is my pleasure to update and here is the continuation of my story. Kan- chan thanks also for you review. I really appreciate the time you gave to read and to review my work.

Gomen if it took me so long to update my story. We had our exams so I had to study and stay away from the computer for a week. It was torture, I swear. But since it's already Christmas vacation, I promise that I'll be able to update my story frequently. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Thanks so much again.

Michiko

Chapter 4 The Dream

Sakura and Shaoran had been traveling the whole day. When night finally came, Shaoran agreed to take a rest.

"You're awfully quiet, Sakura. Is there something wrong?" Shaoran commented as Sakura took the sleeping Keroberos out from her bag.

She looked at him and then smiled, "Oh, it's nothing. I was just thinking about some things, that's all."

He looked at her suspiciously but he knew that she wouldn't tell him anything if she didn't want to. He then took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"So...um, how did you come to know all the Clow cards, Shaoran?" Sakura asked, not looking at him as she settled herself against a tree trunk.

"Well, the elders and my mother taught me all there is to know about magic."

"Since you know a lot about magic, may I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

Sakura hesitated a bit. She didn't know if Shaoran would understand or if he was ready to know her little secret.

Shaoran noticed her hesitation so he said, "If you're worried about what lies ahead, don't be."

"It's not that...it's just…"

"Just what?"

"Well, do you believe in dreams?"

Shaoran was taken a back with this question. "Why?"

Sakura shrugged a little and said, "I need to hear your answer first."

Shaoran just remained silent so she said, "Forget it. It really isn't important nor is it necessary. Forget I said it."

He knew that that was troubling her. He stood and sat in front of her. He lifted her face with the palm of his hand and looked into her eyes. Just looking at those big emerald gems, he knew that she was deeply troubled and afraid.

He then said, "I don't know what happened or what you saw that made you this afraid but you can tell me anything. If you are afraid that I may not understand, try me."

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes as he withdrew his hand.

She then looked straight into his eyes and replied, "When we met Kero- chan this morning, something came to me. I thought that it was nothing so I didn't pay attention to it. Then it struck me again, only this time, old dreams that became memories started to flash back inside my mind."

"This has something to do with our mission, right?"

"Yes, I suppose so. Before my village was burned, I dreamt that I was surrounded by fire and everything suddenly went black. But then, I saw this light coming to me. I woke up that night with tears on my face. I couldn't stop it from flowing even though I didn't understand why I was crying in the first place. That first night I spent with you, I thought that that dream might have been about the incident. After, I dreamt about feathers…white feathers…it then turned into wings. While we were walking, I realized that it was Kero-chan."

"So, you're afraid that all your dreams are coming true?"

Sakura didn't reply as she buried her face on her knees. Shaoran smiled a bit and then placed his hands on her shoulders. She looked at him quite surprised.

He looked into her eyes again and said, "Don't worry, Sakura. It's normal among people with magic to have dreams hinting them about what lies ahead."

Sakura could have cried then and there but she resisted the temptation as she said, "I know but that's not it. I know this thing is new to me and I'm just getting used to it but...I feel there is something going to happen tonight. I know it is going to be something terrible...and..."

But before Sakura could finish what she was saying, Shaoran silenced her as he placed a finger on her lips.

He smiled at her and said, "Didn't I tell you not to worry? Whatever it is, you are not alone. We will face it together and once we get to Omida, there will be other people to help us, and you most especially. You better get some rest, Sakura. Tomorrow is going to be another long day. You'll need your rest tonight."

Sakura couldn't help but smile at him.

"Thanks for understanding, Shaoran. You're a gentleman after all."

"That's better. You know frowning doesn't suit you." Shaoran replied as he also smiled at her.

"And it's going to take me some time to get be used to that sweet attitude of yours." Sakura replied.

"What does that mean?"

"Oh, nothing. Nothing at all." She replied.

They laughed as they said good night and settled to sleep.

'Kinomoto, I hope I'm did the right thing. I never thought that your sister could easily be driven by her emotions. She's more innocent than I expected, knowing that you are her brother. Your personalities are so different and it's a good thing too.' Shaoran thought.

Touya could have killed him by now if he was still around to hear that coming from him. But he would also be thankful that Shaoran was taking good care of his sister.

Meanwhile…in another place called Tira…

"Hirasu! Where have you been?" General Takiyama demanded.

"I beg your forgiveness, General. I found myself in a desert, near Shang." Captain Hirasu Moi replied as he kneeled before the general.

"What in the world were you doing there, Captain?" General Takiyama asked, even angrier.

"Kinomoto Sakura had cast a spell when I found her which brought me to the desert." Hirasu replied.

"Idiot! Go to the village where you found her and burn it! I want all the people there killed and burned to ashes. No survivors this time." General Takiyama ordered.

"Sir, that's not possible at the moment." Hirasu replied feebly.

"And why is that?" Takiyama said as he narrowed his eyes.

"Because sir, she also cast a spell that eradicated my memory of her location." He hesitantly replied.

"Stupid! Idiot! I'll have your head for this, Hirasu!" General Takiyama shouted.

"Sir, I didn't let her go that easily. I made a back up plan in case something like this ever happened. I had planted a spell upon her as well before she was able to use her magic. The poison is about to effect as she drifts off to sleep tonight. She's very vulnerable especially when she drifts into the dreamscape. Her physical body will receive all the wounds and scars that her dream body will receive. If her dream body dies, her physical body will die to and there is no way to bring her back. That would be the end of Kinomoto Sakura."

"Ah, so you're going to use your telekinetic powers on her, not bad, Hirasu. Make sure that she suffers a lot before you kill her and make sure that she won't escape from you this time." Takiyama replied, quite satisfied.

"Yes, sir! She won't be able to wake up ever again. She won't even know that she was poisoned...no one will." Hirasu said as he disappeared into the shadows.

As Sakura drifted into the dreamscape, Hirasu had started to put his plan into action. He started to invade her head and thus the dream of death started.

"Sakura…Sakura…Wake up, my dear." A familiar voice called to her.

Sakura gently opened her eyes and saw herself lying in her old bed and was welcomed by the sight of her mother. She was overwhelmed with happiness to see her mother again that she immediately threw her arms around her and began to sob.

"What's wrong with you, Sakura?" Nadeshiko asked, as she gently caressed her daughter's hair. A big smile had swept over her face.

Sakura pulled out of the hug and wiped some tears away. She then said, "Nothing, mother. I just missed you so much."

"Miss me? Sakura dear, you're talking like we were away from each other for quite some time."

"I suppose it was just a dream. But oh, mother, how I felt the longing to hold all of you again…how I wished that you all didn't die like that." Sakura started to shed tears again.

"It was just a dream, dear. Don't worry. Everything is fine now. Come, change and head downstairs. Your father and brother are on their way home." Nadashiko said as she left the room.

As she left Sakura's room, she immediately changed form. She turned to Hirasu's image. He grinned and said silently, "Now, you are on the palm of my hands. It won't be long and you'll know the truth and you won't be able to survive it. Let's just see how you like it."

Sakura quickly got up and fixed her bed. She dashed off to the bathroom, happily. After taking a quick shower, she wore a lovely peach silk dress. She also wore a white transparent long-sleeved shirt over the sleeveless dress and looked at herself in the mirror. She couldn't help but wonder if all those horrible things were just a dream.

'Was is all a dream? But it felt so real. All the heartaches and wounds, they were all so painful. How I felt hope entering my heart again when I met Shaoran and Kero. Was just a mere fragment of my imagination? Then what cruelty lies inside me? But then...how come a part of me wishes if were all lies while the other part wants them to be all true?'

"Sakura." Came her mother's voice. "You better hurry, dear. They'll be arriving at any minute."

"Yes, mother. I'll be right down." She replied.

She quickly snapped herself out of her the thought and went downstairs.

As she made her way downstairs and into the dining room, she felt this warmth that she thought she'd never feel again.

'Oh, how it feels good to be home again. I can't believe how powerful that dream could be…making me miss this so much.'

That wasn't a good sign. She was slowly accepting that the lie in front of her was the truth and that everything that had happened was just a lie. If only she knew where the true dreamscape master wanted her? If only she knew what his true intensions were? But how could she have known? The things she was seeing are the things that her heart craved for...the things she had longed for. She loved her family so much so the dream became more appealing to her than the truth. She was happy and that was all that matter to her at that moment. She thought that that happiness had long since died but was relieved that it was overwhelming her heart at that moment.

"Good morning everybody." She said cheerfully as she entered the dining room.

The table was set with fine Chinas and silvers. Food had already been set. The young morning rays made the scene warm and cozy as it twinkled the flowers that had been placed at the table to grace them with their lovely scent and appearance.

"Good morning, Sakura. How is my favorite granddaughter today?" Her grandmother asked as she opened her arms to hug her.

Sakura returned the hug and had noted to herself that she had missed the feeling to her grandmother's warm hug. She couldn't help but smile as she said, "Oh, grandmother, you don't have to tease me every morning."

"It is true that you are growing up, Sakura, but you will always be our little cherry blossom." Her grandfather said, making her blush a little.

"Sakura." Nadeshiko's voice came as she entered the dining room. "Here, take this, my dear and wear it." She said as she handed a white ribbon to her.

Sakura then gently took the ribbon and tied a part of her hair with the ribbon.

As they took their seats on the table, Nadeshiko got a white rose and placed it on top of the knot of the ribbon on her daughter's head.

"There we go." She then said as she gently lifted her daughter's face with a finger.

Sakura smiled at her mother.

Then, they heard the sound of horses approaching. All of them quickly went outside to meet the two knights.

As Fugitaka and Touya dismounted their horse, Nadeshiko ran to her husband. She kissed him and hugged him and did the same to her son.

Sakura, who was assisting her grandmother, gracefully walked to her father and kissed him and also gave him a hug.

Fugitaka then broke the hug and stepped back a little to examine his daughter better.

"Sakura? Is that you, my dear? Why, you've grown more beautiful just like your mother." Fugitaka complimented at his daughter.

Sakura couldn't help but blush.

"That's right. Who would have thought that a monster like you could turn out to be a flower after all?" Came Touya's voice. It was his way of complimenting his younger sister.

Sakura did not dare glare at him only smiled at him. She had missed her brother very much and she didn't care if he had somewhat insulted her again. She then said, "It's nice to see you again, Onii-chan."

Touya was surprised with his sister's action. Usually, Sakura would have answered back his insult with another insult. She truly was a lady now, he thought. He then walked towards her and gave her a hug. It was true that he took pleasure in teasing her but he loved his younger sister very much.

After, he bowed respectfully to his grandparents and hugged then as well.

"Well, we should all head inside now." Their grandmother suggested.

Nadeshiko then gently took one of her arms as she and Fugitaka assisted her mother-in-law inside the house.

"So...how are Tomoyo and Yukito, Onii-chan?" Sakura asked as she and Touya were walking back inside the house together.

"Tomoyo was looking for you as usual and Yukito also asked once." Touya replied casually.

Sakura tried not to blush but it didn't go unnoticed by her brother.

Touya decided to hide his grin from her. He then cleared his throat and became a little serious as he asked, "Did anyone start to court you?"

Sakura dropped dead on her tracts. She was stunned at her brother's question. She quickly looked at him with wide eyes.

"What?" Touya replied as he looked down at her.

"Did something hit you on your head or something?" She replied.

"Is it a crime if a brother shows some sympathy for the guy who's attempting to win your hand in marriage?"

Sakura narrowed her eyes a little and said, "Onii-chan."

"I do hope that whoever gets to court you is aware about the monster that lies inside of you." He said playfully.

"I wish I shared your apathy. But you know…I'd rather feel sorry for your future wife. She'll have to go through hell just to spend the rest of her life with someone like you." Sakura replied.

Touya laughed heartedly. It was true that his sister had grown to be a fine and beautiful lady but she was still the same Sakura he had grown up with.

"And I do hope that you'll meet someone who is just as stubborn as you so that she'll be able to put up with everything you do." She added as she started to skip back towards the house.

"Yeah, well, I hope that the poor man who will get to marry you finds out that terrible monster that lies inside of you so that he'll have the chance to think if he wants a monster like you to become the mother of his children." He called after her.

It was obvious that she didn't listen to him any more as she disappeared into the doorway.

He then followed her inside.

After breakfast, as Touya and Fugitaka headed upstairs to change and rest, Amamiya Masaki, their grandfather, told Sakura, "Go and change your clothes quickly. We are about to start today's training."

Sakura just smiled as she skipped up the stairs.

As she was going up, Masaki grinned. Slowly, he transformed to Hirasu. He then said, "Enjoy your dream while you still can, Kinomoto. Your nightmare is about to start. I'll make you pay for taking away my honor by casting a spell that eradicated my memory and for putting in a desert. You shall soon learn that no one crosses against the Mulian army and survives. The fire or the arrows may not have killed you but your arrogance and vulnerability will sure finish you off in a matter of time."

After a few minutes…

Sakura hurried and met Masaki in the garden. There, she tied her hair with the white ribbon her mother had given her.

Masaki didn't look at her or even smile a little and Sakura noticed that. She knew that he was acting strange but dare not ask what was wrong until she was definite that something was up.

"What's wrong?" He asked harshly.

"N...nothing, grandfather." Sakura replied hesitantly.

'What's wrong with him? He didn't seem this hostile this morning. I wonder what's wrong.' Sakura thought.

"Sakura!" He shouted.

Sakura quickly got shock back into reality.

"Did you hear what I'm saying?" He shouted angrily.

"But grandfather…you didn't."

"Silence! Now, close your eyes and not another word." He shouted again.

"Grandfather, what's wrong with you? You're not."

"Didn't I tell you to shut up!"

"Who are you? You are not my grandfather?" She returned protectively. She gestured herself to prepare herself from whatever attack he might give.

"Who said I was?" He said slyly. Just like a speed of light, he had started to teleport her into time space.

Sakura felt fear wrap her heart.

'What's happening?'

"Don't worry. You shall soon see." The voice came as he laughed devilishly.

Before anything could happen again, Sakura found herself in the middle of a forest. She then heard voices coming from over the bushes. She made her way silently so that she might not disturb those people. But she had stepped on rusty leaves and fell to the bushes. She was surprised that they didn't hear or see her even though she was barely in front of them.

"Clow Reed, what are we suppose to do? They are getting stronger even as we speak. It won't be long before they have destroyed everything and have killed everyone." A young man said.

Another man, who was much older and was dressed with a long dark blue cloak replied, "I know, Erin. I too can feel their power getting stronger by the minute. Soon, I will be powerless to stop them."

"Don't say that, Reed-san. The entire world depends on us and we shouldn't lose hope." The third man said.

"Satoshi, I want to make it clear that I'm not giving up. Erin, Satoshi, listen to me carefully. Right now, we are powerless against them no matter how hard we try. Our powers won't be enough. But there will come a time that the world will witness the strongest magicians the world will ever know. They will appear when the time is ripe but before they come, we must continue to plant the seed that they would be using. Right now we only know that the source of their power is from their leader. Their leader is full of evil and no matter how many spies we send, they will always end up dead. But when they come, all the secrets that lie in the shadows now will be revealed."

He then took out three objects and told his companions, "Erin, take this to Seishi and his wife up at north. Tell them that this is the Clow book that I had created which contains the Clow cards. The chosen one will be able to open the lock when the time comes. And this is the key that would be enable the chosen one to control the cards."

He then turned to the other man and said, "Satoshi, this is another key that holds much power. Take this to Tin Tao and tell her everything that had happened to her husband and what his wishes were."

"Tell them what I had just told you and make them promise that they would guard these things until it reaches the chosen ones. I would be expecting to see you two back at Omida in three days. Hurry, before they catch you." Clow Reed said as they all parted ways.

Everything started to blur again as Sakura heard the voice again, "Now that you've seen the past and the present, you shall see your future."

Sakura didn't know what he meant but she knew it was something horrible. Whatever it was, it was going to be painful.

Sakura then found herself in an empty space. Mist had covered everything and it was almost impossible to see what was ahead. She felt uncertain and lost. She was frightened and yet she didn't give in to the temptation of crying.

Suddenly, she felt two arms pulling her arms each. As she turned to see who it was, she screamed in terror.

In the real world…

Shaoran had awaken from Sakura's scream.

Kero had also woken up and was floating near Sakura.

Shaoran had pushed him out of the way as he kneeled beside Sakura.

"Hey, Gaki! What's the big idea?" Kero said.

"I have no time for you." Shaoran snapped. He was trying to wake Sakura up.

She was twitching and was resisting him and yet he didn't know who she was really fighting against.

"Sakura! Sakura! Wake up!" Shaoran called out.

"Gaki, what did you do to her?" Kero said. Shaoran just ignored him.

Kero was beginning to be really angry but then Sakura screamed again. He could feel all the pain his master was feeling.

Shaoran was holding her firmly, trying not to hurt her.

Kero then noticed that her wrists were starting to bleed.

"Gaki! Look!" He said.

Shaoran looked at him for a minute and then he started to feel something beneath his hands. He looked at them and was shocked to see that slowly, a long and deep wound was appearing in her arms.

Sakura gave groans of pain.

Shaoran tried even harder to wake her. He felt ashamed that he hadn't listened to her. How she warned him that something was going to happen, he wished he had listened to her and had taken good care of her. He somehow felt powerless.

She was twitching even more as she developed even more wounds.

Shaoran determined that whoever was behind this was attacking her through her dreams and he suddenly felt powerless to help her. A lot of spells rushed through his mind, not knowing which of them was used to control her like that.

Back in the dreamscape…

The demons suddenly stopped in flicking wounds to her and held her even more tightly as a figure started to emerge from the shadows.

"Ah, I see, you are enjoying yourself." A man said as he approached Sakura. He was covered with black all over. Nothing was seen except for his eyes and his hands.

"Who are you?" Sakura asked, quite breathlessly.

"I'm hurt. You should know be by now." The man replied.

Sakura was stunned and made her think. As she came with the realization, it was as if a bolt of lightning had come and struck her.

"You...you were the one my brother was talking about…the one he said he would be putting down. You are Mulian army's captain, Hirasu Moi. You were the one responsible for my family and village's death and you were the one who burned everything. You were also the one who entered Shaoran's room and tried to take me." Sakura said.

Back in the real world…

"Oh my God! The captain of the Mulian army has a hold of her. You, animal, get my bag quick! We must treat her wounds quickly to buy us a little more time to save her. Hurry!" Shaoran said.

"I'm going to let this pass now, Gaki…only because Sakura's hurt really bad." Kero replied as he flew and got Shaoran's bag.

"Sakura, don't give up. I'm going to help you. Just hang in there." Shaoran whispered to her ear.

Back at the dreamscape…

"Clever…but too bad you figured out too late." Hirasu replied as he unsheathed his sword. "No one escapes from the Mulian army's clutches and survives. This time, I'm making sure that you don't survive."

Sakura knew that he was about to stab her.

'Oh, what am I suppose to do? Onii-chan, father, your training was different. How was I suppose to know that I would come to a situation far worse than before. Oh, please help me now. Sakura, think. Think! You're life is at stake here.' Sakura quickly questioned herself.

She was weak due to the blood loss she was experiencing.

"Goodbye, Kinomoto. It was nice knowing you." Hirasu said as he was to stab her through her heart.

At that very moment at the real world…

"I'll hold her and you treat as much of her wounds as quickly as you can." Shaoran said as he stood and supported Sakura's back when he sat.

Kero quickly did as he was ordered.

Sakura was flinching due to the pain and it was seen in her face that she was suffering a lot and that she was preparing herself from something worse to come.

Shaoran instinctively stroke the back of her neck and immediately felt something. He knew what it was. This barely visible yarn was used to control minds in their dreams. The person who was affected won't be able to feel or realize its existence because once it touches the flesh, the poison will immediately affect the brains' sensory at that part and in the course of time, it will affect the victim until the person who in place it would control the victim's mind and kill him or her. It can never be seen or felt by a normal person, only a person who possesses magic can undo the spell.

He quickly yanked it out. Suddenly, Sakura took a deep breath and opened her eyes. She turned and threw her arms around Shaoran.

She was shaking. Tears continued to fall from her eyes.

"I almost got killed...he was about to stab me in the heart…and..." Sakura began to say but Shaoran silenced her as he placed a finger in her lips again.

She looked at his eyes. She could see that he was relieved that she was alright. He smiled at her and took a handkerchief and started to wipe her tears away. He then wrapped his arms around her.

She was stunned but she didn't seem to care. She was still shaking. Then she heard Shaoran whisper to her, "I will hold you until you stop shivering. We heard everything and we know how awful the experience was for you. I know I cannot comfort you like your family can or Tomoyo and Tsukihiro, but I will try to comfort you. Just let the tears fall and I'll be here to wipe them. Sorry if I didn't listen to you but I want you to know that you are safe now and I promise that I will keep my word to your brother, Tsukihiro and to you. I will protect you and there is nothing to fear."

Sakura could feel herself drown into his care. She felt herself calm as she wrapped her arms around him too. She was still shaking but she managed to say, "Thank you, Shaoran. I'm glad that I met you."

Shaoran smiled a little. He knew that Sakura won't see but Kero sure did.

Kero discovered that Shaoran really cared about Sakura. But he just thought that it was just brotherly love due to his promise to his brother and Tsukihiro.

After a minute, Sakura stopped shaking and she had let go of Shaoran. She had lost consciousness.

Shaoran knew this was going to happen. So she lay her gently and treated the rest of her wounds. He knew she was tired and weak and her body needed to rest after losing a large amount of blood.

(To be continued...)

Note: Hope you like the next chapter of my story. I thank you again for taking the time to read my creation. Well, thanks again. I hope you review it and I'll be glad to read it.

Michiko