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Chapter 8 The Eye of the Serpent
Sakura, Shaoran and Kero searched around Seiki for the treacherous gem.
"Ah, here it is!" Kero shouted with glee.
Sakura and Shaoran came over to look.
They saw that it was wrapped with a cloth, placed on Seiki's side.
That was why it was nearly impossible to see.
Shaoran lifted Seiki as Sakura got it.
He laid Seiki and sat beside Sakura.
She seemed mesmerized with it.
She sat the stone in front of them.
Sakura then turned and faced Shaoran.
His face was unreadable as ever.
Sakura never did understand how knights could hide their emotions easily.
She wished she also didn't betray any feelings at that moment.
She was really scared because she herself didn't know what to do next.
She secretly pleaded that he would not ask her that question at the moment.
"So," Shaoran started.
"What should we do next?" He continued.
It was the question she feared.
"To tell you frankly…I don't exactly know. I was never taught how to change it, much less to change it back."
"Then what do you propose we should do? You said so yourself we can't leave it like that."
Sakura fell silent and closed her eyes.
She tried to remember all the things her grandfather had taught her.
'There must be something…a symbol…a riddle…anything.' Sakura thought.
'.But what? Grandfather told me everything about it…he must have taught me something I wasn't aware of during that on, Sakura! Think!' She urged herself.
Suddenly, there it was...the answer.
Sakura's eyes shoot open.
She looked back at Shaoran and said, "I've got it. How could I forget that? I used to joke Ojii-san about it."
She almost laughed at the memory.
"When you see the eye that is not the eye of a creature of the Creator, then you have seen the eye of the pretender. The power of the mind is endless. Wisdom of time will flow through it, flawless. When it turns to fire, wind, or earth, a strong, pure mind will turn it into the sea. The rage of the serpent would calm to everyone's glee."
"So it means that it was turned by a person who possessed great knowledge into fire, meaning red. The only way to turn it into the sea, or otherwise a shade of blue, is a person who has a strong but pure mind." Shaoran replied.
"Exactly! Since obviously, between the two of us, you have a sharper mind, I entrust this to you." Sakura said as she handed the gem to him.
"Make sure you do it right, Gaki. Don't fail Sakura's confidence in you." Kero said.
Shaoran glared at him.
She turned to him, as if reading his mind she said, "You could do it. I know you can."
"That's not what I was about to say."
"It wasn't?" Sakura replied a little embarrassed.
Shaoran just placed it aside and decided to ignore Sakura's embarrassment.
"You said yesterday that no one knows for sure if there were other gems created by that magician. How come you know so much about this?" He asked.
Sakura was taken aback.
"You know, I never thought about it. I only know what I've been told. I suppose the most famous among the gems are the dragon gems and the eye of the serpent. I don't know what the 'wind and earth' gems look like or what they are actually called." Sakura replied brokenly as she struggled for the right words.
"So then it is for certain that there are other magical objects that need to be found before the Mulian army does?"
Sakura just nodded.
"But it is better to ask someone who knows more than I do. I remember my brother mentioning a name…Hiiragizawa…Eriol Hiiragizawa…he's the royal magician right?"
"Yes. Anyway, so what do I do now?"
"Concentrate, I guess."
Shaoran then concentrated hard on the Eye of the Serpent.
Moments passed and nothing happened.
Shaoran finally gave up and said, "Nothing is happening and I'm clueless on how to come about it. You do it."
Sakura hesitated and said, "I told you that I don't know either. Besides, you have better chances on figuring it out than me."
"No, I insist. You take it."
"Fine. But I won't promise if anything good will come out. I told you before that I wasn't able to finish my training."
"Don't worry, I don't know what to expect and besides, I think you are capable of anything."
"You really believe in that?"
"Don't flatter yourself."
"You're so mean, you know that?"
Kero just shook his head.
Shaoran grinned.
Sakura closed her eyes and as suddenly as everything went dark, flashes of light took away the darkness that she was seeing.
Fear swept inside her heart.
She kept herself from faltering.
Without Sakura realizing it, both Shaoran and Kero were amazed on how the color of the gem was changing.
From its color, red, it was changing into different shades of the color pyramid.
Its brilliance was breathtaking.
Sakura didn't know that whatever light she was seeing, Shaoran and Kero were also seeing through the gem.
After a minute, a minute that seemed to be both a second and an eternity, the hue of the gem settled from a sea green color to a vivid blue.
Sakura said as she opened her eyes, "What was-"
Before she was able to finish what she was saying, she was surprised with what she was holding in her hand.
Shaoran was looking straight into her eyes and Kero was stunned as well.
No one was able to speak during those few, awkward moments.
As Sakura broke off with Shaoran's stare, she cast her gaze on the sparkling jewel she was holding.
She couldn't believe that she was able to change it.
Sakura was lost for words as she fell into a trance looking at the true image of the Eye of the Serpent.
"You did it, Sakura." Shaoran finally said.
Sakura looked at him.
He gave her a smile.
She smiled back.
"I guess I did, didn't I?"
"You did very well, Sakura-chan." Kero said as he settled at her shoulder.
Then they heard Seiki moan.
Sakura placed the Eye of the Serpent on her pocket and went over to check on Seiki.
Seiki finally opened his eyes.
Sakura then said, "It's good that you're finally awake."
Seiki slowly sat up.
"Are you feeling better?"
"I'm a little dizzy and weak."
"Take it easy for awhile." Sakura said as she motioned Seiki to lie down again.
"That's good, Sakura Kinomoto." Eriol said as he cleared his crystal.
"Who's Sakura Kinomoto, Eriol-sama?" Came a young girl's voice.
Eriol smiled at the small girl tugging at his robes.
Her twin sister was also standing there, looking up at Eriol.
He then said, "You'll meet her soon, Kyra. Come on, you two. Let's go and find Aki."
Eriol took the two princesses and led them outside to play with their favorite dog, Aki.
Kyra and Lyka were Emperor Rei's younger, twin sisters.
They were five years old then.
They could be little angels but they are also kids that can't help to be a bit of a pain sometimes.
As they headed outside, they encountered Naoko, Tomoyo and Rika.
The ladies greeted them and they greeted back.
"Cousin Naoko. Cousin Naoko. Lyka had a nightmare about the Monster Man you told us yesterday." Kyra said as she tugged on Naoko's dress.
Naoko smiled down at Kyra and then at Lyka.
She then said reassuringly to both girls, "Don't worry, my young cousins. The Monster Man won't hurt you, especially since Rei is around. We are also here to keep that mean, creepy man away so you two don't have to worry."
"Naoko-chan, you told them one of your stories again?" Rika asked.
Naoko gave her a small smile and explained, "They asked me to tell them a ghost story and well...I gave in."
Kyra and Lyka then excused themselves to find Aki and play somewhere at the palace.
Tomoyo then said, "They remind me so much about Sakura. Remember when we were young?"
Both Naoko and Rika giggled and nodded.
"I remember her being so afraid whenever Naoko would tell her stories." Rika commented.
Tomoyo giggled and said, "Yeah. But everything is different now. She's not so scared about ghosts any more. Let's just say that somehow, she over came some of her phobia with the help of her brother. Anyway, Eriol- san, when she comes, I know you would like to meet her."
Eriol smiled and said, "I would be honored to meet her, Tomoyo-san. But if you'll excuse me, I have to go back to my studies. Good day, ladies."
He then bowed and headed off back to his quarters.
"That reminds me, I'll see you later. I have to go and meet the Emperor." Tomoyo said as she said her goodbye to both of them.
She then headed off to the garden.
There, she met up with Yukito and the Emperor.
"Ah, Tomoyo-chan, thank you for coming."
"My pleasure, Your Majesty." Tomoyo replied as she bowed slightly.
"Tomoyo, please do call me by my name. We're friends and I'd rather have no formalities with my friends. It doesn't mean that I'm the Emperor now things have to change." Rei replied and smiled at her.
"Of course, Rei-san."
"I asked you two to come because I know that you two are the closest people to Sakura Kinomoto. I know she is your best friend, Tomoyo-chan and your best friend's sister, Tsukihiro-san. We all know what loss she had gone through and I know I won't be needing to ask you to help me protect her because I know you both will." Rei then said.
He suddenly changed the subject; "Do you know about the prophecy concerning the Clow book?"
Both nodded.
"Well, what I'm trying to say is that…I have a feeling that she is the Card Mistress. I just need some confirmation from both of you is you know." He added.
Tomoyo and Yukito looked at each other.
They didn't know what to answer Rei.
Tomoyo then said, "Rei-san, I don't know if she really is the Card Mistress. But I do know that she is someone really special. We will know when the time comes."
"I suppose you are right, Tomoyo-chan. If she is, we will need to be more careful concerning her safety because if the Mulian army finds out, they will stop at nothing to get her, not only because she proved that they are not invincible and because she has the key to their downfall." Rei said.
"Your Highness, I promised Touya-san that I will continue to protect his imouto-chan for him, not because she may be the Card Mistress or not but because she is Sakura. You can rest assure that I will personally see to it that no harm will fall from her. I'm sure you will have confidence in Tomoyo-san and Li-san as well." Yukito said.
"Are you comfortable up there Seiki?" Sakura asked as she settled the boy on top of their horse.
Seiki just smiled at her and nodded.
Sakura just smiled back.
They then started with their journey again.
Shaoran led the way and was pulling the horse along.
Sakura just walked along side the horse and kept a close eye on Seiki as Kero rested on her shoulder.
Moments passed and nothing was said much.
Kero and Sakura were talking about the Clow cards when Sakura suddenly felt a little dizzy.
"What's wrong Sakura-chan?" Kero asked.
Sakura just smiled at him reassuringly and told him it was nothing.
Shaoran heard everything but decided not to interfere because he knew that Sakura wouldn't tell them anything.
But he also knew that it usually meant something that she wasn't telling them.
As they got a little further, Sakura didn't feel any better.
She knew it was something related to the Eye of the Serpent.
When she couldn't take it any more, she suddenly stopped.
Kero was really worried about her.
He asked her what was the matter again.
This time, Shaoran approached her and did the same.
Seiki, who was looking down at her from the horse, was also worried what had happened to her.
She just looked at Shaoran, almost breathless, she said, "Take…them with you."
"What? What are you talking about? I am not going to leave you out here alone." Shaoran said.
Sakura just gave him a stern look and said but in a broken voice, "This is not the time to argue, Shaoran. Please trust me. You promised me you would. I have to deal with something and I don't want any one of you to get caught in the middle."
"Sakura-chan, I don't think it is wise-" Kero tried to say.
But Sakura said before he could finish, "Look, there was something that was triggered when I changed it back. I don't know why but it has and I'm afraid that it would consume anything that lies between. I'll catch up with you as soon as I settle it. I promise."
Shaoran didn't want to leave her because it was his duty to protect her at all costs and he had also promised Kinomoto-san, Tsukihiro-san and Sakura herself that nothing bad would ever fall upon her.
He didn't like the idea one bit.
"Please, Shaoran. Leave while there is time. You have my word and I make it a point that I always keep my word."
"You always get into trouble when I leave you alone and-"
"Shaoran, you promised me the night before that you would trust me and treat me as someone equal. If anything happens, I will allow you to lecture me all you want and also tell me that you told me so. I'll take full responsibility for this so you won't get into any trouble. Now go."
"But-" Kero tried to persist.
"Go!" Sakura commanded.
Reluctantly, Shaoran urged them to go.
Sakura then dashed off to get as far away from them as possible.
"What do you want?" Sakura questioned.
"Card Mistress, you changed me back into my real form. Now you must be tested if you are worthy of my wisdom." A voice suddenly said.
"How am I to prove that I am worthy to you?"
"By answering my questions, Card Mistress."
Sakura didn't know if she would be able to answer every question the Eye of the Serpent presented but finally agreed to the test.
"First, why did you change me back?"
Sakura reluctantly answered, "I was taught that you could be a real traitor and that you use the most prevailing emotion of the person holding you against them. An innocent little boy, Seiki, was holding you since yesterday because you were handed over to him. You were changed into the form of the Dragon gem so if I didn't change you back, you would probably continue to make the boy suffer and deceive us all."
"Then, why do you want to save the boy?"
Sakura wasn't expecting that question.
She then answered, "Because…because….I can see myself in him."
"Why?"
"Because I recently lost my family and my village was burned as well. He suffered the same fate as me. I just wanted to spare him from more pain and suffering."
"Why?"
"What do you mean?"
"It is your job to answer and not question. I'm the one who is supposed to ask the questions, Card Mistress. Now I ask again, why?"
"I understand the pain he is going through. I, myself, am going through the same thing. It is enough that I go through it. I cannot bare to see a young child like him go through it."
"Then why do you lack confidence in yourself, Card Mistress? Is it because you don't want the responsibility? If that is the case, you have no right to save the child if you cannot even save yourself."
"I am not perfect and I admit that I am naïve. I do not know any better right now because it is my first time to get such a responsibility but you have no right to tell me that I have no right to save the child because everyone deserves to be saved. I will do my best to save those around me and I have saved myself. I was given a choice to live or die and I choose to live right now because if I don't fulfill my promise, everything around me will perish."
"Very well said, Card Mistress. You have passed my test and you deserve the wisdom contained within the Eye of the Serpent. Carry it well." The voice said before it finally faded.
Sakura then finally fell to her knees.
She couldn't help but feel the satisfaction that it was over.
Now that it was through, she had to keep her promise to Shaoran and the others that she would catch up with them.
Sakura then composed herself and was off.
"Li-kun, do you think it was wise that we left Sakura-chan back there?" Seiki asked.
Shaoran shrugged and said, "No. But there was nothing I could do."
They then continued their journey in silence.
Hours passed by and they finally reached Omida.
They headed to the palace immediately.
"Li-san!" Shaoran heard someone call out.
It was Yukito.
He met him at the stables.
"Li-san, where's Sakura?" Yukito asked.
Shaoran didn't answer him.
He then helped Seiki down before turning to Yukito and said, "Where is His Majesty? You will find out everything as I tell His Majesty the report."
Yukito then led the way to the throne room.
On the way, they met up with Tomoyo.
Tomoyo also noticed that Sakura was not with Shaoran so naturally she wanted an answer.
But Shaoran refused to talk so Yukito continued to lead them to the throne room.
Once there, Shaoran went and kneeled before the Emperor.
Eriol was also there.
Rei then motioned Shaoran to get up and report.
Shaoran told them everything that had happened during the journey, everything but the details that were a little intimate.
After Shaoran had delivered his report, he was expecting a lecture from Rei or Yukito.
But there was none that arrived.
No one spoke at the moment.
Rei then said, "You there. Are you Seiki?"
Seiki, didn't know how to react, just stepped forward, nodded and bowed before the Emperor.
"Seiki, do you have something to tell me also?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. My grandfather wished me to give you the Dragon gem but I found out from Sakura-chan that it wasn't really the Dragon gem."
"Is that all?"
Seiki knew what Rei meant.
He didn't know how to tell the full story of what Shaoran had said earlier.
"I understand, Seiki. You don't have to tell me. I will take Li Shaoran's word on it. Tell me though, do you feel any better?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Thank you."
Rei then turned to Shaoran.
"You have done well, Li. But I was really expecting that you would bring Sakura Kinomoto here."
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I will leave right away to look for her and bring her here." Li replied.
"That won't be necessary."
They heard someone say from behind them.
When they looked, they saw Sakura.
Sakura then made her way to the Emperor.
She then bowed and said, "Your Highness, please pardon my look but I need to deliver something very important."
Rei motioned that she could stand straight in his presence.
"I am Sakura Kinomoto, Your Highness. I have brought you the Eye of the Serpent and one of the real Dragon gems."
She then handed him the gems.
"What happened to you? Where did you get one of the Dragon gems?"
Sakura reluctantly answered, "I was tested by the Eye of the Serpent, Your Highness, since I was the one who changed it back. On my way here to Omida, I had an encounter with a few members of the Mulian army. I saw that they possess one of the Dragon gems. They spotted me so I had no choice but to fight them. I then got it and went straight here."
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, Your Highness, for now. I just thought it was important for me to give you the gems first because it won't be safe in my hands."
"Why do you believe that, Sakura-chan?" Eriol asked.
"Because sir, I wasn't given the opportunity to finish my training. I am not fully aware of the powers of the gems and I'm afraid of mishandling them." Sakura answered.
"You better rest, Sakura. You are safe here." Rei said.
Sakura smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."
She then bowed and turned.
She came face to face with Tomoyo.
She smiled at her worried friend.
But as she walked towards her, Sakura stumbled.
Tomoyo steadied her.
Sakura took away her hand from her lower abdomen and revealed blood.
"Sakura? Oh my God! Somebody help her! She's bleeding!" Tomoyo shrieked.
Sakura didn't say anything.
Her sight was beginning to get fuzzy.
The next thing she knew, she was in Shaoran's arms.
She wasn't able to hear what was going on from that moment.
Soon, everything went black for her again.
(To be continued…)
Sorry to update late again. It's hard to think especially if there is more than one story you have to continue. Please just bear with me a while. I promise to try and update as soon as possible. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Chapter 9 is on the way. Thanks so much and please review.
Michiko