July 10, 2001
AN: Aiya minna-san! As promised here's chapter 6! Gomen ne again for the long wait! I guess you're all accustomed to it by now ^_^ *ducks as readers throw rotten food at her*
To all the people who have been wondering, CCSyaoran takes up after the season finale of Card Captor Sakura and not Cardcaptors! This is why I use all of their original names! I didn't include Eriol and the other characters because then it would be too confusing and besides they don't fit very well in my storyline. ^_^
Raijiku is not taken after the CCSakura Thunder Beast. This is just a coincidence.
Also please visit the Card Captor Syaoran website at http://welcome.to/syaoran
Anywayz let's get on with the next episode shall we?
- are for authors notes
Card Captor Syaoran
Chapter 6: Bringing back the undead
"Sakura, would you stop it! You're going to make a hole in the floor!" Tomoyo said in exasperation as she watched Sakura continue on with her pacing back and forth as if she hadn't heard what she said. Augh! Tomoyo grunted as she got up and took her best friend by the shoulders forcing her to stop her pacing. "Are you alright?" she whispered worriedly.
Sakura looked back at her best friend with unshed tears in her clouded jade eyes. Was she alright? She was living out her worst nightmare! Of course she wasn't alright! Syaoran was near death tonight and it was all because of her! But despite of her inner turmoil she managed a small smile and quickly reassured Tomoyo, "I'll be alright as soon as Syaoran is ok."
Tomoyo nodded her understanding. Tonight had been a horrid night. Hours before, she and Kero had found a shocked Raiju, a quiet Xian and a hysterical Sakura who was clutching a bloodied Syaoran in a death grip. It took all three of them, Tomoyo, Xian and Kero, to get her to loosen her grip on Syaoran's weak body. And now they were here in Syaoran's apartment and neither Tomoyo nor Kero was even close to finding out what had happened tonight. All three were reluctant to talk as they each avoided Kero's inquisition as to how Syaoran got hurt so badly.
*flashback*
"Hurry! Put him here! On this bed!" a panic-driven Raiju hastily ordered them. Syaoran was immediately placed on the bed.
"Man! His wounds are pretty nasty! How did the gaki get so knocked out? I mean I know he's a brat and all but I got to admit the kid sure knows how to defend himself, what kind of card could've had the power to totally kick his butt?" Kero wondered out loud as he surveyed Syaoran's wounds.
Raiju swallowed audibly as he stammered out, "D-do you think he'll be ok, brother?"
Kero looked up from his inspection, his face grim. "I gotta say I'm not sure, Raiju. I mean he has lost a lot of blood and his heartbeat's pretty weak." he said truthfully not bothering to soften the blow for anyone. After all it was the truth. No use covering up the extent of suffering and damage Syaoran was put through.
Somewhere in Syaoran's darkened room, quiet sobbing became loud wrenching sobs.
Tomoyo stood up and said to Sakura, "Come on, I think it's best that we stay outside, Sakura."
"No!" Sakura shouted through frantic tears. "I want to stay here! I want to be here 'til he's alright!"
Tomoyo kneeled in front of Sakura, clasped both of her hands and said softly, "Sakura, until you calm down and get a hold of yourself you'll be of no help here."
Sakura looked up at her with pained eyes looking as if Tomoyo had just slapped her. But it was the truth and she knew it. She needed to calm down, to put things in perspective but most of all she needed to face and deal with her demons. Especially the demon called guilt. After a moment's hesitation, she nodded and followed Tomoyo out of the room but not before taking one last look at Syaoran.
"I am sorry..." she whispered wretchedly as tears once again coursed down her cheeks.
*end of flashback*
"That's all we can do for now." Kero sighed resolutely after four long hours of cleansing and bandaging Syaoran's wounds.
Raiju looked up from his position, which was in a darkened corner of Syaoran's room. "Surely there is something else we can do, Kero?" Raiju asked in alarm.
Kero solemnly shook his head. "It's all up to the fates now. We've done all that we can do for him."
"Except magic! The power of magic is twice as strong as anything! Maybe if we use our magic we can revive him faster!" Raiju exclaimed.
"Hai! I have seen magic restore men's energy to their fullest! Maybe magic can restore Syaoran-sama's life energy as well!" Xian spoke up for the first time since Kero had found them.
Kero shook his head slowly, utter grief and sorrow in his eyes. "The extent of damage done to him is too great. His life energy has been all but depleted."
"But surely there must be-" Raiju quickly protested, desperate to try and do anything to save his ailing master and friend.
Kero interrupted him by laying a paw on his brother's shoulder and said gravely, "Raijiku, my brother, I'm sorry but... Syaoran is dying."
NO! NO! NO! This can't be! Syaoran-dying? Raiju thought bewilderedly as he stared into space. A voice inside of him chastised him, Great going Raiju! Just a few weeks with you and now he's dying! A fine guardian you turned out to be! He should've just kept you sealed! His inner voice continued to badger him, to blame him but he couldn't say a thing stop it for he knew it was true. He was the one who had done this to Syaoran! Raiju shook his head as he fought to gain control. But his guilt and grief was eating him away. Forcing him, cajoling him into loosing his grip on his control. Raiju closed his eyes and tried to banish these thoughts away but suddenly a faded memory assaulted his mind...
"But it is you, not I, who is responsible for your master's pain..."
And that was all it took to drive him over the edge...
Meanwhile…
"I'm sorry, Sakura, but all we can do is wait and pray." Kero explained quietly.
Sakura's distraught eyes traveled to where Syaoran laid on his bed. No! This can't be! There has to be some way! It cannot end like this! she thought bewilderedly.
Sakura swallowed audibly as she fought to steady herself. "So, what you're saying Kero-chan is that there is nothing we can do for him?" Sakura asked, her voice breaking at the thought of what answer Kero might give her.
"Yes." Kero whispered softly, his eyes on the floor afraid to meet Sakura's emerald ones for fear of what he would find there.
"No." Sakura said evenly. She had said that single word so calmly that Kero's head snapped up in surprise.
"What? Did you say Sakura?" Kero asked her, confused by her calm tone and demeanor. He had just told her that Syaoran, the once love of her life, was dying! Shouldn't she be hysterical by now?
"I said No, Kero." She said in the same calm and reasonable tone. "Syaoran is not going to die. There is still something we can do."
"But, Sakura-chan! Didn't you hear what Kero said? He said-" Tomoyo started bewilderedly afraid that Sakura might have lost her mind.
"Yes, Tomoyo-chan, I know what he said but I don't believe it." Sakura said quietly. "There is still something we hadn't tried yet." she said as she brandished a pack of Sakura Cards from her pocket.
"I told you, Sakura! This won't work! Look it's not like I want the Li kid to die! It's just that-" Kero argued as he watched Sakura lay out all 52 cards before her.
"Kerberos, I am not forcing you to participate in this in any way. You may choose to stay or you may leave. Whichever choice you make is your own." Sakura said in a tight voice. Kero was shocked by Sakura's commanding tone. She had never spoken to him this way! Because for the first time since they've been card captoring, she was speaking to him as his Card Mistress and addressing him as the Guardian Beast.
"But before you make a decision you must know..." Sakura then turned her tear-streaked face to his and whispered softly, "Kero-chan, I need you."
Kero looked at his heartbroken mistress and knew that he could not this deny her this wish. She needed him now and by the gods he would be there for her! Kero broke into a wide grin and muttered, "Oh! That Li kid owes me big time!"
Sakura giggled in delight as she hugged her guardian. She knew she could always count on him! Suddenly remembering their mission to save Syaoran, she turned back to the business at hand. She closed her eyes and released her energy into the space around them, letting her aura embrace and kindle the ancient cards, awakening each of them. Calling them to her need. She waved her hand across the cards and chanted softly an enchanting spell,
Ancient Cards of Every Power
Awaken at this very Hour
Help me, Heed me through my Task
Heal Li Syaoran is all I ask.
Let the Ancient Powers once more flow
Cards that are needed are Cards that glow!
Sakura passed her hand once more over the card before slowly opening her eyes. "I hope this works." she heard Kero mutter.
Inside Syaoran's bedroom…
Raiju flew over to Syaoran's bedside. Tears where falling freely from his tiny face. He was feeling more and more helpless as he stared at Syaoran's weak and frail body. Raiju put his small paw into Syaoran's callused and bloodied hand.
"I am sorry. I am so sorry." was all that Raijiku could say, over and over again.
Xian turned away from the scene before him, unable to stand Raiju's show of pain and sorrow. Truth be told he felt exactly the way Raiju felt. Broken, helpless, alone...guilty. But his pain was more intense and different for unlike Raiju he couldn't pour it out and express it the way Raiju was doing through his tears. Xian had never experienced the taste of tears in his life or if he had once upon a time in his infancy he couldn't remember. Soldiers didn't cry, he was always told. Those that did were a disgrace. They were sissies. They were also punished. So he never did. Not even when he was injured so badly he couldn't stand nor when his parents died. He would always remain stoic, his face inexpressive. Another bout of Raiju's hysterical crying reached his ears and he flinched at the sound. Without a second thought he quickly jumped out of the window and headed for the roof. He needed to get away from it for a while. To regroup himself and think. He can't very well help his master if he couldn't pull himself together.
But even when he was sitting up there on the high roof underneath a blanket of silvery starts he could still faintly hear the strained sounds of crying. He quickly took a long breath to steady himself and tried once more to ease himself to his usual stoic manner but as he did a sudden memory invaded his mind...
*Flashback*
A 4 year old girl is crying on the front porch. In her left hand she is holding a broken doll.
"Quit it, Meimei!" a seven year old Xian apprehensively says to his baby sister. "It's just a doll and besides I have to go or the elders would punish me again for being late!"
"NO! Xian-sempai you have to fix it now!" the little girl yelled through her tears.
"I can't! Would you stop that crying? The elders say that crying is for the weak! Are you a sissy, Meimei-chan?" Xian said exasperatedly.
"No." Meimei sniffed.
"Then don't cry! The elders don't like crying and they also don't like late comers! So I have to go!" Xian said quickly as he tried to make a speedy getaway. Too bad it failed.
"But I don't want you to go!" Meimei began to cry again.
Xian rolled his eyes as he realized he was going to receive punishment for being tardy--again!
"Hey...hey why are you crying little girl?" a soothing voice called from behind them.
Both turned in surprise to see a boy with chocolate eyes and amber hair and was about the same age as Xian approaching them.
"Someone broke my dolly!" Meimei cried as she ran to the comforting stranger.
"Meimei! Get back here! We don't even know who that kid is! And for Kami's sake stop crying!" Xian yelled.
Meimei cried even more as she buried herself further into strange boy's comforting arms.
"Sssh! Ssh!" the boy said soothingly as he stroke the distraught girl's hair. His amber eyes then looked to Xian and said, "You shouldn't badger her like that. She's already crying."
Xian immediately went into his defense mode. "Hey look here kid! I don't even know who you are so don't tell me how to talk to my sister! Besides crying is for weaklings!"
"Oh? Is that so? And who told you this?" the boy raised his eyebrows.
"Why the elders of course! And they're always right!" Xian said haughtily. To his amazement the stranger burst out laughing.
"What a load of bull! The Elders are always right! HA! What do those aging fools know about it?" the boy asked in amusement.
"Why! You dare make fun of the Elders?! You should be hanged! Shot! Or something really really bad!" Xian said aghast at the boy's odd outburst.
"Calm down! All I'm saying is that tears aren't a sign of weakness, as you believe. It's a sign of our humanity. Everyone cries from joy or from pain." he explained. "Even your precious Elders, I don't doubt."
"HA! Are you telling me it's ok to cry? Cry like a baby? A sissy?" Xian asked him testily.
"We're only human." the boy answered him.
Xian snorted and shook his head, refusing to believe this boy over the older therefore certainly wiser Elders.
Curiously the boy grinned at his reaction then turning to the small girl still crying in his arms he offered quietly, "I'll fix your doll."
"You will?" Meimei's blue eyes lit up in delight.
The young boy's smile grew wider as he nodded his head. "Sure."
"Yey!" Meimei shouted gleefully.
Finally! At least some good came out from all of this. "Then can I leave now, Meimei?" Xian asked as he quickly got on his feet, eager to be on his way.
"Ah-huh!" the smiling girl nodded as she happily stared at the boy who was going to save her dolly.
"Fine then." Xian sprinted off to training but not before he heard the strange boy say,
"Remember, you're only human."
*end of flashback*
Xian felt something wet slide down his cheek. As he caught it in his hand he stared at it. A tear. A tear from him. He, who believed that tears were for the weak. He, who had said that soldiers didn't cry and that is why he never would. And as each salty tear fell faster and faster from Xian's clouded blue eyes, he could only think of one thing in his mind...
Syaoran, you were right all along. I am only human.
Meanwhile...
As Sakura's vision was once again blurred by frustrated tears she felt a paw on her shoulder. "You tried your best." she heard Kero whisper comfortingly.
"No! No! No! This can't be! Why aren't the cards working, Kero?" Sakura
asked in frustration as she glared at the 52 cards that were laid out before her doing nothing.
"I told you, Sakura, this isn't going to work. The damage is too severe. Even magic can't help him now. At least not the magic we have on hand." Kero explained. "It's okay, Sakura, it's not your fault." Kero further offered his comfort. To his utter shock and bewilderment his sympathy was met with raving laughter from his mistress.
"How can anyone say it's not my fault?" she manage to say through her hysterical laughter and frantic tears. "You're wrong Kero! It is ALL my fault! I am the reason why Syaoran is lying in there dying!"
Dear God! She's blaming herself! How can she even remotely think that she had anything to do with Syaoran getting hurt? We all know she wouldn't hurt a fly much less kill the guy she obviously loves! Kero thought bewilderedly. "Sakura, let's just get one thing straight: You are NOT, I repeat, NOT responsible for what happened to Syaoran tonight!"
"Yeah Kero's right Sakura! You have nothing to be guilty about! You did everything you could!" Tomoyo spoke up.
"NO! NO! NO! You're wrong! I am to blame! I got Syaoran hurt!" Sakura cried hysterically.
Kero flew in front of his mistress and grabbed her tear-streaked face forcing her to look directly into his concerned eyes. "Let me say this very carefully so that you can understand me. You-are-not-responsible-for-what-happened-to-Syaoran!"
Sakura shook her head wildly and protested, "That's not true."
Kero held on firmly to his grip on her distraught face and argued, "Yes it is Sakura! Come on get a grip will you? It's not like you used your cards tonight to hurt the gaki!" Kero said exasperatedly.
"But, Kero" a teary Sakura raised her weary eyes to meet Kero's "I did."
Meanwhile...
"Where am I?" Syaoran wondered out loud as he surveyed his surroundings. Everywhere he looked he saw green. It was like he was in some sort of void or something.
"Like it?" a voice from behind him called out and he quickly turned around.
His eyes widened as his amber eyes met the sight of a large iridescent radiant ancient dragon with startling green eyes that reminded him of emerald orb on his band. "Wha-How-Why?" Syaoran babbled incoherently unable to process a single thought as he continued to stare at the sight before him.
"What? You've never seen a big ol' Dragon before?" it asked with what seemed to be a huge grin.
Syaoran still stunned, shook his head no. Then after a few failed attempts he finally found his voice and managed to ask, "Am I in heaven?"
The Dragon let out a huge rumble. "Heaven? Goodness NO! What makes you think that a vast green void is heaven?" the dragon out still laughing.
"Well," Syaoran started as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "Last thing I remember was that I was hurt pretty bad and then I woke up here. I naturally assumed the worse. So I guess you're not kami either huh?" Syaoran said with a rueful smile.
The Dragon laughed even louder upon hearing his embarrassed explanation and his assumption that he was god. "As much as I'd like to believe it, no, I am not kami. Good grief! I better explain things to you before you think I'm the toothfairy or somethin' like that!" the dragon said with a smile.
"I, the dragon said with a dramatic nod of his elegant head, am Myushida the ancient defender Dragon of the Li Clan."
Syaoran gasped and stared at the dragon. "The one in the myths?" Syaoran asked him astounded by the creature's identity.
Myushida smiled, "The one and only. And it's not myths, dear boy, it's history."
"So it really is true!" Syaoran said amazed. "You really did exist!"
"Hey! Hey! Hold it right there, boy! Last time I checked I still do!" Myushida said defensively.
"Gomen sai! But the Elders always taught us that Myushida the defender dragon, well, that YOU were only a legend." Syaoran muttered.
"Legend Shmegend! Those baka elders! What are they teaching you kids these days?" Myushida said exasperatedly, angry that his own existence was questioned. "Have you at least heard of the prophecy of the Chosen?"
Syaoran nodded his head thoughtfully, "Yes. My guardian and my mentor have told me about it. It is the prophecy that has led me down this road that I am on. It is my mission. " A look of surprise crossed Syaoran's face. "Are you the same dragon that they saw on my inauguration day? The very same one that went into my band?"
The dragon smiled, "The one and only."
"So, the defender dragon and the dragon in the prophecy are one and the same." Syaoran said thoughtfully.
Myushida shrugged and chuckled, "What can I say? I am quite popular."
Syaoran scratched his head and smiled apologetically to the ancient dragon, "I'm sorry but I know very little about this whole ancient prophecy thing. There's a lot of stuff I don't know."
Myushida frowned, "Why? Haven't the Elders taught you the Ancient Scrolls? You are, after all, the Chosen One and the Li Clan Master! You of all people should have access to them!"
Syaoran frowned. "No one outside of my mentor and guardian has ever told me anything relevant about the Prophecy of the Chosen. In school and training, all the elders have ever taught me is that the Prophecy was a myth and that you, as I have mentioned, only a legend." He paused thoughtfully and whispered, "I have never heard of the Ancient Scrolls."
"How on Earth could that be? It is the Elders foremost duty to educate the Li clan master, well, YOU of the Ancient Scrolls and of the Prophesy! Especially you since YOU're the one in it!" Myushida exclaimed in exasperation, frustrated at the Elder's lack of action.
Syaoran smiled ruefully, "They don't like me much and I bet you that in a thousand years they never thought or hoped that I would be the Li clan master in the Prophesy." He then laughed, " Ha! They probably never even thought that I would be a Li Clan master!"
Myushida gaped at the young boy, horrified by this. "What do you mean? Aren't you the direct descendant of Clow Reed?"
"Yes I am but what has that got to do with anything?" Syaoran asked innocently.
"It should mean that you have the right to descend as the head of the clan when you are of proper age." Myushida explained.
Syaoran began to chuckle, "I'm afraid that's not how things are done. My lineage to Clow Reed has never meant anything to anyone. Every since the day I was born I was told that I was the only current living male that was a direct descendant to Clow Reed and that it meant nothing."
Myushida's blood began to boil upon hearing such sacrilege. His glowing jade eyes sparked dangerously. "Such insolence! Why if I ever get my hands on those snakes I would-"
"Why? Isn't it when a warrior has undergone the Li Clan Master training and lived can he then be the Li clan master?" Syaoran asked confused and taken aback by the Dragon's rising temper.
"NO!" Myushida gasped horrified. "Do you mean that you, Li Syaoran, had to actually earn the title?"
Syaoran nodded, still obviously confused by the dragon's bewilderment. "Wasn't that the way things have always been? That the head of the clan be the one who has survived the training?"
Myushida gritted his teeth as he thought of the many disrespects the current generation of Elders had done to their ancient ways by altering the Li Clan masters' lineage. He then paused, calmed himself and then explained, "No. It has never been that way for us. All Li Clan masters have come from only one lineage, the very same one that has spawned the great Clow Reed."
"You mean, the title was inherited?" Syaoran asked in surprise.
The dragon nodded its majestic head, "Of course."
Syaoran let out a heavy breath, "Wow!"
Myushida, now finally calm, suddenly remembered what Syaoran had said about not acquiring enough knowledge about the Ancient Scrolls and the Prophesy Syaoran himself was a part in. "Do you wish to learn more about what you were born to do?" Myushida asked him with a grin.
"You mean, you're going to tell me about the Ancient Scrolls and the Prophesy? Can you tell me more about you too?" Syaoran asked curiously.
"If you wish." Myushida said slowly.
Syaoran nodded eagerly and said, "Tell me everything, Myushida. Everything."
Myushida smiled and began his explanation...
"I'm afraid history has gotten my story all wrong that is why most of the information you have on hand is sorely lacking of authenticity." Myushida explained.
Syaoran looked at Myushida eagerly and listened in earnest to the ancient Dragon's tale.
"I once roamed freely on land and lived there for a good hundred years, fighting side by side with your ancestors. Crime was common and war was rampant. Worse came to worse and like all things, it all came down to a boiling point. And when the dust had settled the Li Clan was victorious along side with the a few other clans who were defending the current governmental system of Ancient China." Myushida paused as his mind was filled with memories from long ago.
"And..." Syaoran prompted him to continue, eager to find out more.
"And-" Myushida continued his story with an amused smile aimed at the obviously impatient Li clan master. "After awhile I noticed that my services were no longer needed since after the Great War everything was peaceful. I also found out that my life was about to expire."
"Oh!" Syaoran gasped. "I'm sorry..." He offered his sympathy but at the same time felt strange about offering his condolences to a very much alive dragon.
"Oh no! Don't be!" Myushida said with a toothy grin. "The elders of that generation were wise and kind and they deemed that due to my faithful service ad loyalty I was to be rewarded with my most fondest wish-" Myushida paused as he reminisced about those days. "And, he continued, that was to be immortally defending my master, the Li Clan Master."
"The elders approved of my wish but only one man had the power to grant it and that was the current Li Clan master, also the man who was my sole reason for wanting that wish anyway for I had pledge my life to him." Myushida explained. "...Clow Reed."
Syaoran gasped. Wow! Clow Reed!
"Unfortunately Clow Reed had other plans for me but he did grant my wish or at least an altered version of it." Myushida said. "I mean he still granted me immortality and the responsibility of doing my job of protecting the Li clan masters but with one minor adjustment."
"Which is?" Syaoran asked eagerly, anxious to hear the whole wondrous story for he was completely enthralled by it.
"As I live my immortality in slumber, I will only awaken to protect one master." Myushida paused and looked at the boy before him. "You."
"ME?!" Syaoran exclaimed. Thoroughly taken aback by all this new information.
"Yes, you. The Chosen One. I was to awaken only when it was time to fulfill the Prophesy of the Chosen. In light of the incantation chanted on your inauguration I had awakened to forge my being into your band." Myushida explained.
"Why?" Syaoran asked.
"My wish was being granted. I would be protecting the Li Clan Master I had always protected-the one that was out to save the world just like Clow Reed." Myushida said softly, his voice indicating his mind was a thousand miles away.
"How would you be protecting me? I mean will you just appear out of thin air when I need you?" Syaoran thought out loud.
Myushida gave a loud hoot of laughter. "Heavens NO! I'm a DEFENDER DRAGON not a genie for crying out loud! Let's just say I have my own unique way of protecting people. Heck I'm the only thing that's keeping you from being dead right now." Myushida said.
"NANI?" Syaoran exclaimed.
Myushida nodded, amused to see once again a very shell-shocked Syaoran. His facial expression so much different from the usual stoic one Myushida had observed he always wore. "You are hovering quite near death. My powers are the only thing keeping you from keeling over." Myushida explained.
"Ho-how can I get back?" Syaoran said, his voice unsteady.
Myushida sighed; he had not been looking forward to having this talk with Syaoran. "I'm afraid it's not going to be easy."
Syaoran let out a huge sigh and grimaced, "Now where have I heard that before?" He then straightened up and looked Myushida squarely in the eye. "What is it that I have to do?"
Myushida in turn looked back into Syaoran's smoldering hazel eyes and said, "Nothing, Syaoran. Absolutely nothing."
Meanwhile...
"This can't be right. I won't accept this!" Xian thought as he stood up jolted awake by the realization that he was sitting on the roof crying over Syaoran as though he was dead! Well he was not dead! He was still alive and there was still some hope. Xian quickly made his way to Syaoran's room and as he leapt inside he was met with a sight of a still hysterical and crying Raiju.
"Raiju! Raiju!" Xian called the little guardian but Raiju didn't turn. It was as if Xian wasn't even in the room much less yelling to get his attention. "Raiju, we have got to figure out a way to revive Syaoran-sama!" Xian hissed as he walked up to the distraught cub.
As he neared he could hear Raiju's apologies. It was all he ever said. "I'm sorry. I am so sorry." Raiju begged over and over again.
Xian grabbed the little cub and shook him hard. "Sorry isn't going to bring him back!" Xian said.
Raiju looked up at him through angered blue eyes and shouted, "That maybe so but I cannot live without him knowing that I never meant to hurt him!" Raiju then freed himself from Xian grasp and started to fly to Syaoran's side but Xian quickly intercepted him.
"Get a grip! We all feel responsible for this because we really are the ones who got him in this condition!" Xian yelled the truth in Raiju's face unaware that his own tears were coursing down his ashen cheeks mirroring the ones on Raiju's. "But this is not the time for guilt! This is the time to save Syaoran-sama's life! You say you are his guardian beast, that you were created to protect him! Well, Raijiku Guardian Beast of the Syaoran Cards! DO YOUR FREAKING JOB!" Xian yelled as he let go of Raiju and slumped back on the wall.
"Do you really think I can do it?" Raiju asked him uncertainly, his voice cracking. It was evident that Xian had gotten through to him.
"I think you're the only one who can." Xian said truthfully.
Raiju nodded slowly, his heart beginning to fill with hope and his eyes starting to shine with determination. It was as if a huge fog was being lifted from his mind and heart. Xian was right. There was more than enough time for guilt later. Right now all that mattered was healing Syaoran. He quickly began to think up of ways that could revive Syaoran. He flew to his master's bedside, his mind filling with various ideas. He had to find a way. He knew he'd find one or at least die trying.
Back at Myushida's…
"NANI? What do you mean I have to do nothing?" Syaoran exclaimed exasperatedly.
"Exactly what you think it means. You can do nothing, all you can do is wait." Myushida said.
"For what?! My life to expire naturally?" Syaoran said irritably.
"Look it's a bit more complicated than what you think. There isn't just going to be a big test of some sort in which you have to pass and then -poof!- suddenly you're alive again." Myushida explained.
"Then how do I get back to myself?" Syaoran asked.
"I told you it's tricky. You need someone to bring you back. A medium of some sort." Myushida tried to explain.
"And how in the world is that going to happen?" Syaoran asked bewilderedly unsure of what was going on.
"You have to have some outside help. From out there." Myushida said, indicating the world outside.
"Hey! Where are we anyway?" Syaoran asked.
"Technically were inside the mystic emerald on your band. This is where I reside. You see, the emerald is a very powerful ancient artifact. Inside of it is a whole new dimension in which I exist. A place in between time and space, between life and death. In order for me to save you, I had to take you somewhere in which death could not touch you." Myushida explained.
"But how can they get me back?" Syaoran asked.
"This is the part where it gets really complicated." Myushida said with a long sigh.
Meanwhile…
"I've got it!" Raiju shouted triumphantly, his yell resonating throughout the whole dead silent apartment.
At his announcement everyone rushed inside Syaoran's bedroom. "What? What have you got?" Sakura shouted frantically. She was shaking Raiju so hard he was afraid his teeth might fall out.
"Hey! Sakura! He can't tell you while you're shaking him like that!" Kero exclaimed.
Sakura quickly let Raiju go but after a minute looked as if she might shake him again if Raiju didn't tell them his idea already.
"I think I have a way to save Syaoran-sama." Raiju explained breathlessly. "Someone needs to go in and get him out of his unconsciousness. And then after he's awake he can use his Syaoran Cards to restore his full power."
"But won't he be too weak to use his cards if we do get him conscious again?" Tomoyo asked curiously.
Raiju sighed in frustration, "Look! I do realize that but it's the only way I could think of! We got to at least try something! Anything! To get him back!" Raiju shouted frustratedly.
Tomoyo took a step back, suddenly frightened of the small raging lion cub.
Raiju let out a long sigh as he saw this and apologized, "Tomoyo-chan. I'm sorry I shouldn't have blown up on you like that. But it's our only choice. We've got to try."
"Then let's do it." Sakura said resolutely.
"Sakura-" Kero started.
Sakura sighed as she faced her concerned guardian, "Look Kero I know what you're going to say. And I do agree with you that it's a long shot but as Raiju has said we have to do something." Sakura explained warily though her eyes were glinting with pure determination.
Kero nodded resolutely knowing full well that his mistress would do whatever it took to get Syaoran back with or without his consent.
"There is a gateway between the dimensions of consciousness and unconsciousness. Fortunately for us, Sakura, you have the key to that gateway." Kero said thoughtfully.
"The Dream Card!" Sakura exclaimed guessing what Kero was getting at.
Kero smiled at Sakura, proud that she had figured it out by herself. "Yes. You can use the Dream Card to try to communicate with Syaoran. But I must warn you, Sakura-"
"That it's going to be harder than any of us expect it would be. Yeah, yeah!" Sakura finished his sentence for him with a smile. "I know you quite well, Kero."
Kero smiled at her in turn. "Be careful. The Dream Card's power can only last for so long. If you don't get out of there before the gateway closes, you will be trapped inside forever." Kero said, his face grim.
Sakura gulped nervously. But then remembering the fallen Syaoran, she nodded determinedly as she took out the magical card and held her wand up high.
Key of Clow
Power of Magic!
Power of Light!
Surrender the wand
The force ignite!
Release!
Then taking out the magical card that would help save Syaoran's life she said," Dream Card! Release and Dispel! Dream Card!"
Light poured forth from the mystic card and Sakura got sucked into it. And as her form disappeared into the light all three kept thinking one unanimous thought,
God Speed, Sakura.You're our only hope.
Meanwhile…
"There has to be something I can do!" Syaoran said frustratedly.
"I'm afraid not, Syaoran. You're stuck here until help arrives." Myushida said with a small shrug.
"No! There has to be another way! I have never relied on anyone in my entire life to get me out of my own scrapes and I am NOT about to start now!" Syaoran said heatedly.
Myushida turned to him in surprise, "Surely you have entrusted someone else besides yourself with matters such as these? I mean no man is an island, you know." Myushida said slowly.
"Oh really?" Syaoran in turn faced him in distraught, frustrated at the dragon for not having answers to his plight. "Well I am one! I'm a big fat island that can live fine without anyone else!" And with that Syaoran did an about-face determined to find his way out of this place and back to his own.
"Where on earth are you going? I told you there isn't a way out of this place but the one I've mentioned!" Myushida said his emerald eyes following Syaoran's form.
"Well, the way you mentioned stinks so I'm finding a better one!" Syaoran shot back in irritation.
"Oh come on now! Surely there must be someone! A friend? A relative? A girlfriend?" Myushida asked with an amused smile and a raised eyebrow.
Syaoran blushed as an image of Sakura forced its way into his mind, he quickly shook his head to disperse this thought. He needed to concentrate and blushing like a love-struck schoolboy was not gonna help him any!
"Ah! So there is someone!" Myushida exclaimed in delight as he caught Syaoran's reaction to his inquiry about having a girlfriend. "You are not as cold as you want me to think!"
Syaoran sighed, hating to explain his love life to a–a nosy dragon! "Look, swapping love stories is not going to help neither me nor you, okay! So just drop it!" Syaoran said heatedly.
"Okay! Okay! Take it easy! Didn't mean to get you all in a twist!" Myushida said soothingly while holding both of his hands up in a surrendering gesture.
"Besides if anyone could think of a way to get me out I am sure it would be Raiju!" Syaoran said in defeat as he slumped back on a wall, accepting that fact that waiting for his guardian was the only way out.
"RAIJU!" Myushida exclaimed with cheerful delight. "You know him? How is the little guy anyway?"
Syaoran smiled at the thought of his sugar-loving guardian. "He's alright. He's my guardian." he said proudly.
"Why! I'll be! If anyone can get you out, it's Raijiku! That is if he ever gets through eating of course!" Myushida laughed as he remembered his young friend's huge appetite.
Syaoran laughed along with him also remembering Raiju's unbelievably unquenchable love for food. "I know!" Syaoran said still chuckling.
"I just hope he gets here soon." Syaoran said softly to himself.
-----
Will Sakura get to Syaoran in time? Will Raiju, Xian and Sakura ever be able to forgive themselves for what happened to Syaoran? What will happen when Sakura reaches Syaoran and he learns that it is her not Raiju that is his only ticket out? What happens to Myushida? Tune in next week for the answers!
--So you liked it? Like Myushida?