Hey there! Gomen for my late update. I had some sort of a mental block especially since I'm writing other stories and I have to also balance my schoolwork. Anyway, at last I had finished chapter 6. Um, for the next update, please give me at least 3-4 weeks to write the next chapter since I also have to update my other stories. But don't worry.I've already written about a quarter of chapter 7 and well I'm stuck there again. Anyway, thanks to those who've reviewed. I really appreciate the time you gave to review. I know you'd like to start reading the next chapter so here it is.Chapter 6.
Firey chan: I do hope that you're feeling better now. If not, hope you feel better. Thanks for your review.
Sakura2649: Thanks so much for the review. Gomen if I can't always fulfill my promise sis. And don't worry, I'll help you with your fan fic and also I promise I won't tell your new name.
Chapter 6 The Red Gem
'Where am I?' Sakura thought.
She felt very light and almost happy. She had her eyes closed.
When she opened her eyes, she saw herself moving forward. As she drifted along, she noticed she was passing many plains.
Sakura then found herself in a dark tunnel. It was somewhat dark but she didn't feel any trace of fear.
It was a long tunnel but soon she could see a bright light ahead.
As soon as she left the tunnel, she found herself in a magnificent place. It was the most beautiful paradise she had ever seen. No where on earth could compare to what she was seeing at the moment.
She was way up in the air, flying. She could see that below her, there was a magnificent diamond or some sort of crystal fountain surrounded by flowers of all colors and sizes.
She then spotted a golden staircase.
As her eyes followed where it led, she was even more amazed when she found a palace splendidly built. It glittered as the rays of the sun touched its surface.
As Sakura drew closer to the palace, she can't explain the eagerness she was feeling. As she stepped in the palace's entrance, she could see that the palace was made of diamonds.
The palace door then opened.
A lot of people came and greeted her.
She wasn't taken aback. Their faces didn't matter. She felt she knew them and they were all close. At that moment, she felt she was home.
"Sakura, don't do this! Don't you dare die!" Shaoran said desperately as he felt Sakura's pulse stop.
He didn't know what to do. All he knew was that he failed his mission. He had let Sakura, the Card Mistress and their only hope, die.
He then turned, ignoring the boy, and grabbed Kero.
He started to yell at him, "Hey! Stop pretending to be a stuffed animal! I know you saw the whole thing. So, you better start explaining why you let Sakura do that!"
The boy was baffled.
He didn't understand why Shaoran was yelling at the stuffed animal.
He couldn't help but ask, "Um, mister? Why are you talking to a stuffed animal?"
Shaoran ignored him as Kero couldn't help being squeezed tightly anymore.
Kero started to move and yell back, "Let me go, Gaki! What are you trying to do, kill me?"
Seiki became speechless.
How could a stuffed animal talk?
"Yeah, that is what I'm about to do, unless you start explaining why you let Sakura try and save the boy in her weak state? Have you forgotten what happened last night or haven't you noticed that training using the cards drain power to the ones who's just learning about them?" Shaoran yelled.
"I know! I tried to stop her but she was too stubborn. She ignored me and swam to the child's aid." Kero exclaimed.
The small beast started to shed tears due to his new master's death.
"And now…now…she's…she's d-" he added.
"Don't say that! She can't die! The fate of the entire world lies in her hands." Shaoran stated.
"Don't you think I know that? How about you? Why did you give up on her?" Kero argued back.
"Are you accusing me of letting her die?"
But instead of arguing back, Kero said, "I...I don't know what to think, Gaki. My master has already passed on and-"
Shaoran quickly let him go and went back to Sakura's side.
He then started to breathe life into her.
"What are you doing?" Kero asked as he flew over.
"What does it look like? She's not dead. She can't be." Shaoran replied.
As Kero looked over his master's lifeless body, he noted that it was true.
She looked sleeping and not dead.
Hope then started to creep into his heart.
Maybe…just maybe…Shaoran was right.
She was not dead, only sleeping and it was up to Shaoran to bring her back again.
'Sakura, Li's right. You can't die right now. The world is depending on you. You have to wake up.' Kero said under his breath.
As Sakura was welcomed, they entered the palace.
As she was led inside, she soon was met by a figure.
He took her into his arms.
"Father." She whispered.
"Welcome home, my child." He whispered back.
Sakura couldn't explain what she was feeling at the moment. All she knew was that she was happy and everything was perfect.
Then a lot of questions came but they were answered just as quickly.
After a few moments, other figures approached her.
Soon, she started to recognize who they were.
Her heart could have melted at that moment.
"Onii-chan, Oka-san, Ojii-san, Oba-san." Sakura exclaimed as she ran to them and gave them each a big hug.
Tears started to flow down her eyes.
Touya then stood before her and said, "Welcome, Sakura. Come. There is something you need to see and to learn."
He then offered her his hand which she was glad to accept.
Touya then led her to the garden she saw earlier.
Now that she was walking at the garden itself, she saw its true beauty. She was breathless.
"It's so beautiful! I've never seen anything like it." She exclaimed.
Touya then stopped and turned to face her.
"What's the matter, Onii-chan?" Sakura asked as she sat on the fountain.
Touya just sat next to her and said, "It is beautiful isn't it?"
"Yes."
Touya became silent.
Sakura didn't know what to say. She didn't understand why her brother was acting that way.
"Sakura, you are home now, that's true but."
"But what, Onii-chan?"
"But...I'm afraid it's still not your time to join us here."
"Are you telling me I died prematurely?"
"I'm afraid so. You need to go back."
"Onii-chan, I don't want to go back. There is nothing there but fear and sorrow and I don't want to lose all of you again."
Tears started to fall down her eyes.
Touya wrapped his arms around his sister and said, "I understand, Sakura. I know while we were alive, I never really showed you I care but you know I do. I know that it was hard for you to live when we were taken from you. But you know, we never left you. Come. There is more you need to see."
Sakura looked up at him as she held back her tears.
They started to walk again.
They then reached a group of spirits.
"Onii-chan, where are they going? Who are they?"
"Sakura, they are souls who want to go back to earth and experience humanity, probably some of them want to experience it all again. The others are angels who go to earth and aid those who are in need."
"I don't understand. Why would they want to go back there?"
Touya just smiled and said, "There are still a lot of things that they want to learn and experience. That answer already lies in your heart as well as mine. You must remember, we both descended to earth as children of otou-san and oka-san. And like you, they have a mission to fulfill."
As Sakura looked at them, they were joined by their father.
"Sakura." He said as she looked at him.
"I'm going to give you a choice. You can go back or you can stay. Don't worry. Even though life seems long, it is only a short wait until we will all be together again." He reassured her.
Sakura thought deeply.
Then images of Shaoran trying to revive her came to her mind.
She then remembered her promise...her mission.
"Yes, I will and must go back." She declared.
Suddenly, she was surrounded by everyone and were commending her for her decision.
Touya then whispered to her ear, "Good luck, Sakura. You must always remember that we will always be there beside you. We have never left you and we will never will. And also, you can trust Li. I am sure he will take care of you for me because he knows what I might do to him if he doesn't."
"Oh, Onii-chan. You sure haven't changed."
"Of course, why would I?" Touya just grinned.
"My child, you must also remember that not everything in the world is real or true. We have made some mistakes while we were there too like calling the young wolf the young hawk. As you go back there, you must learn how to distinguish whether or not the things in front of you are true or mere illusions. Don't worry. If you follow your heart, you and never go wrong no matter what it seems." Nadashiko said as she hugged her daughter goodbye.
Sakura just smiled at them as she felt herself being drawn back.
"Sakura Kinomoto, don't you dare die on me. I'm not permitting you to." Shaoran said after many attempts.
"Li, as much as I don't like to admit it but she's gone." Kero whispered.
"No, she's not!" Shaoran said.
Desperation was present in his voice.
Kero felt sorry for him.
He knew that somehow they grew close to one another.
"I'm sorry, Li. But we both have to face reality." Kero said as he started to cry.
"No! I will not give up on you, Sakura! Now that I've found you, our only hope for freedom. I will not let you go!" Shaoran kept telling himself as he continued to give artificial respiration.
Suddenly, a miracle occurred.
Sakura took a deep breath as life started to enter her body again.
Relief spread across all their faces as her breathing became more steady.
As Sakura opened her eyes, the first person she saw was Shaoran.
"Shaoran..." She feebly said.
Shaoran helped her up.
"Why on earth did you do something like that?" Shaoran suddenly asked.
Sakura was taken aback as she answered, "I suppose you do deserve an answer."
"I sure do. Why don't you start explaining everything to me?"
Sakura hesitated a bit.
The boy then took her attention.
She turned to him and asked, "Are you ok?"
The boy just nodded and replied, "Thank you, Miss. Without you and your boy friend, I would be dead right now."
Sakura blushed with what the child said.
She then replied, "Don't mention it. Oh and he's not my boy friend. He was just assigned to protect me. What's your name?"
"Seiki, Miss."
"Nice to meet you, Seiki. Oh, and please don't call me miss. My name is Sakura. You can call me that."
"Sakura." Shaoran then said.
"I'm sorry, Seiki, this is Li Shaoran and my guardian, Keroberos. But I'd rather call him Kero."
"He's so kawaii!" Seiki exclaimed as he hugged Kero.
"Sakura! You're explanation please or have you forgotten?" Shaoran said.
"Gomen, Shaoran. I just did it to save him. I saw him fall and the next thing I knew...I was swimming towards him."
"Are you trying to get yourself killed or something? I'm sure you haven't forgotten what happened to you last night and also, you've noticed that you were drained when you started using the Clow cards since you're still not used to them."
"I admit! I did wanted to die. I wanted to die so badly no matter what I told myself. I can't help but blame myself for the things that happened to my family. I knew it was wrong but no matter how I tried nothing worked. I just felt so alone. I felt I didn't have something to live for." Sakura replied.
She couldn't help but break down and cry as she poured her heart out to them.
She didn't even realize that she was shaking from the coldness of the wind.
Shaoran placed a warm cloth around her to stop her from shaking.
This surprised Sakura.
Shaoran then said, "Sakura, you're not alone. I do understand why you felt that way. And you do have something to live for remember?"
He then looked straight into her eyes.
"We promised that we would save the world together and I don't plan to fulfill that alone."
With this, Sakura couldn't help but smile as a few more tears strolled down her face.
"You know, I was given a choice. I could have stayed there or return here. At first I didn't want to return but then I saw how desperate you were of bringing me back. I then remembered the promise and our mission. I saw all of them and they were glad that I made the right decision. They then promised me that they will always be there like always and told me that you, the young wolf, would always be there to protect not only me but the world."
"Young wolf? But I though-"
"Even my mother is not spared from making mistakes."
She smiled at him as she wiped the last of her tears away.
"Sakura, I want you to promise me that you will never do that sort of thing again."
"I can't promise that, Shaoran."
"And why not?"
"Because I can't promise not to help others. It's our job right? Our promise." She replied.
They just smiled at each other.
"Sakura-chan, Li-san, are you guys sure you're not into a relationship? Because it sure doesn't look like it." Seiki commented.
Both Sakura and Shaoran blushed.
"N...no, Seiki. Like I said, he's not my boy friend. He's just a friend of mine." Sakura replied hesitantly.
"Boy, you should have seen how worried he was when you weren't responding to the artificial respiration he was giving." Seiki exclaimed.
Shaoran decided to ignore what Seiki was saying.
'I know, Seiki. I saw it remember?"
Shaoran just stood so that they won't see him blush again.
He then said, "You better change into something dry, Sakura and then we'll all talk about what happened."
"Yes. You better change as well so that you won't catch a cold or get sick." Sakura replied as she got her bag and left them to change.
"Here. Change into this." Shaoran said as he handed some pieces of clothing to Seiki.
"Thanks."
After they all have changed.
"So, does anybody want to tell me exactly what happened?" Shaoran said.
"Well, we finished training, I saw Seiki fall from the cliff and swam to him. But I also saw a man who was protecting him get killed. But they weren't just ordinary men…it was the Mulian army." Sakura related.
"The Mulian army? It's a good thing they didn't see you."
'They were too self-confident that Seiki would be killed by the fall if not by the waterfalls so they didn't bother looking over the cliff to get a second glance at him." Kero exclaimed as he settled next to Sakura.
"What did they want with you, Seiki?" Sakura asked.
The boy hesitated.
Sakura looked at Shaoran as he looked back at her.
She stood and sat next to him.
She then said, "Whatever it is, it must have been horrible, judging from your reaction. We don't have to talk about it. I know how you must feel. The Mulian army also took everything from me. They killed everyone I loved and my entire village."
"That's what they did to me too. All I know is that they are after this."
Seiki then took out the red gem that his brother had given him to protect.
Sakura was surprised with the object the young boy was holding.
"My brother told me to give this to the Emperor and that he should know exactly what happened to us."
"But do you know its secrets?" Sakura questioned.
"Why, Sakura-chan? Do you know this gem?"
"Seiki, I don't just know this, I grew up learning it. My grandfather told me that this will be one of the things that will show me the way but there should be two of these." Sakura exclaimed as she studied the gem more closely.
"You mean there's another one?" Seiki exclaimed.
Sakura stared at him.
"You mean your brother didn't tell you? The holder of this gem should know this. There must have been something that happened that caused the separation of the gems." Sakura explained.
"Then what is this gem?" Shaoran asked as she handed it over to him.
"Why don't we let Seiki explain? He may know more than I since he is the keeper and all."
Seiki hesitated.
"Well, it's called the Dragon gem. All I know is that this is a key that would open up something. I'm sorry. That is all that I've been told."
"Don't worry. I can fill in the gaps." Sakura said to reassure the boy.
She smiled at him and that ceased the worries of the boy.
"Well, the Dragon gem is indeed a key but it won't work unless the other gem is also present. These two were hidden separately a long time ago but one keeper was killed be. But before he died, he gave it to the other keeper. They should have been together until now but something must have happened again."
"Is that good or bad?" Kero asked.
"It depends. If it falls into the wrong hands, then we're in big trouble but if it's not, then we have a chance to weaken the Mulian army."
"Weaken the Mulian army? How's that possible?" Shaoran questioned.
"Once the door of the Dragon is opened, a secret chapter regarding the Mulian army will be revealed. This was created by a magician who worked undercover for them and discovered their every secret. He had a premonition and before was to be captured, he created these stones to protect his secret so that one day, it will lead to their downfall. But nobody knows if these are the only objects he created. Some say there are more hidden beneath the surface. Who knows?" Sakura explained.
"Finding out all the things about the gem from you, Sakura-chan, makes me feel unworthy to be its keeper." Seiki commented.
Sakura smiled at him and said, "Seiki, you are worthy of keeping this gem. Your brother wouldn't have handed this to you if he didn't believe in you. You are still young and you have a lot to learn like me."
"I guess you're right. I wish they could see me now. If only they weren't killed."
"They haven't left you, Seiki. They will always be with you no matter what happens or where you go. You saw what happened to me a while ago. That's what I've learned and now I'm passing it on to you."
"You know, Sakura-chan, I'm sure that whoever is going to be your husband and your children will be very lucky to have you."
"How old are you again?"
"Six years old. Seven next month."
"Enlighten me, will you. You're six and you know things that I didn't even know until I was about 8."
"I am maybe six but I know a lot. My parents died when I was about a year old. So, while growing up with two brothers with our grandfather, I learned all that. My eldest brother, Soshio, was already engaged to be married so." Seiki explained.
Shaoran then stood and said, "We better get moving if we are to arrive at Omida as soon as possible."
Night had already fallen and still they continued on their journey.
Kero and Seiki had already fallen asleep, riding the horse.
Shaoran was walking ahead while Sakura was a few steps behind him.
They were quiet, neither wanted to speak.
"Thank you, Shaoran." Sakura spoke softly.
Shaoran glanced back to her and asked, "For what, Sakura?"
She smiled at him and replied, "I never got to thank you for what you've done for me earlier today. Thank you for breathing new life to me and for not giving up."
"Think nothing of it. I'm just fulfilling the promise I made to your brother, Tsukihiro and to you. You don't need to thank me."
Sakura then held his arm, which made him stop.
She then said, "But I do need to thank you. You were always there to save me and so far I've done nothing but try to get myself killed. I'm sorry if I'm always causing you to risk your life for me. I promise things will change from now on."
"Don't change because of me, Sakura. I'm not asking you to. Things happen and we are just doing our jobs, that's all." He replied.
"Alright then. I'll stop acting as a burden but as your partner from now on. I won't be on your way but you must promise to trust me in return." Sakura said as she let go of his arm.
It took Shaoran a while to think but then he said, "Deal! I'll watch you back, you watch mine."
"Certainly!" Sakura replied enthusiastically.
She just smiled at him.
As they started to walk again, Shaoran couldn't stop thinking, 'Huh? I'm sorry, Kinomoto, if I didn't take good care of her. I swear from now on, I'll lay my life for her. I know I've been doing that but only when it is a little too late. I will change that.'
He secretly promised Touya and to himself.
'Why am I feeling this way?' The question suddenly popped into his mind.
'So much had happened in the past few days and I can't believe Sakura had a lot of close encounters. Somehow I feel sorry for her. Fate sure has been harsh on her. She still surprises me with her courage to pull through. What am I saying? This is not me talking...is it?'
Suddenly, he heard someone fall.
He quickly turned and saw it was Sakura.
She had tripped over something.
It was too dark to see.
As Sakura saw the thing she tripped over, she was horrified to see that it was a dead old man.
She couldn't contain her scream.
It seemed to echo into the night.
"What's the matter?" Shaoran asked as he approached her.
Sakura threw her arms around him and began to sob.
Shaoran was taken aback.
'What scared her this much?'
He looked over her shoulder and saw the dead man.
He didn't know what to say to calm her down.
He then heard Seiki wake up to see what had happened.
Sakura was still shaking.
As Seiki rubbed his eyes, his weary eyes flew open when he saw the man.
"Ojii-san!" He said.
He then rushed to his side.
Shaoran could feel Sakura loosen her arms around him.
"Are you alright?" He quickly asked.
She answered, "Don't worry about me. We must comfort Seiki and bury his grandfather properly."
Shaoran noticed that she was still shaken up but she insisted that they should help Seiki first.
Shaoran helped her up and turned to the grieving boy.
Sakura held the boy's shoulder and motioned the boy to follow her.
But he fought her grasp.
"Ojii-san. Ojii-san. OJII-SAN!" He cried out.
Shaoran crouched next to the body when he thought he saw the body move.
He glanced up and saw Sakura looking at him, surprised as he was.
They knew Seiki didn't see it.
He was still crying hard as Sakura was holding him in her arms.
"Seiki? Is that you my grandson?"
Seiki suddenly looked up and then to his grandfather.
"Ojii-san?" Seiki said as he approached him.
The old man tried to sit but found he had no power to.
Shaoran then lent him a hand.
The old man then said as he reached for Seiki's hand, "My child, do you have it?"
"Yes, grandfather."
"Good. I know you know what to do. I'm afraid I can no longer accompany you."
With these words, Seiki broke down in tears once more.
"But you must understand that I'll always be with you in spirit like your parents and brothers."
Those were the old man's last words.
"I swear, Ojii-san, I will not fail you." Seiki said before letting go of his hand.
"Seiki, are you alright?" Sakura said.
Seiki got up and turned to her.
He gave her a quick smile and went back and got up the horse.
Sakura then turned to Shaoran.
He just returned her gaze and took out an ofuda and used it to make a big hole on the ground.
He then lowered the body and replaced the soil.
After they prayed over the grave, the two of them joined Kero and Seiki in silence.
Soon after, they started walking again.
Seiki couldn't go back to sleep.
Sakura knew he needed some time alone with his thoughts so she remained silent.
Shaoran just led them, not glancing back.
After an hour or so, Sakura waked next to Shaoran.
As if he could read her mind, he said, "Don't worry about him. We will be able to help him. Right now, just give him some time to think things over."
"I know. It's just…he's so young and he should have been spared from stuff like this. He shouldn't have seen what he did."
"Yes, he shouldn't have but fate has its way with things we least expect."
"I suppose."
Then all was silent once more.
Note: Gomen again for the late update. Don't worry.I've already written chapter 7. I just have to encode them in the computer. Chapter 8 is also on its way. Hope you like it and please, please review.
Michiko