Yikes has it been forever. Sorry it took so long my life was madness with AP exams, service hours and did you know you can get allergic to sunscreen. Yeah found that one out the hard way, plus I lot the binder with this story in it. Fate was not on my side. But I managed to write another chappie. Hopie ya like, I think ya will!
Thanks to all who review but I'm too tired to write messages back. Will do so another time
Disclaimer:I don't own CCS, I just use it. Plus a bit of the Physical Science scene is courtesy of Roswell High.
Watching You
The fire department arrived moments later. Sakura and Li were checked for smoke inhalation. Sakura was worse off because she had caught a full blast of the ammonia smoke. But the paramedics could find nothing seriously wrong that required hospitalization. Both were sent off with instructions to drink lots of water and immediately go to a doctor if any weird symptoms appeared.
Moments later Tomoyo and Eriol showed up, with Tomoyo screaming, "Oh my, Sakura are you all right?" Tomoyo embraced her friend and Meilin joined in as well. Meilin was hailed as a hero of the school. Luckily the remnants of the contents of the fire extinguisher could still be seen, so it was assumed that that was how she put out the blaze. However Sakura, Li and Meilin knew otherwise.
When they pulled back from the hug, Meilin looked at her friends and said, "I think we need to talk."
(Tomoyo's House)
Sakura stepped out of one of the many bathrooms in Tomoyo's house towel drying her still damp hair. I must have washed my hair four times but it still smells of smoke. I guess it will take a while to get rid of. She shuddered a little at the memory of choking fumes and burning heat.
She opened the door to Tomoyo's room hearing Tomoyo's voice, "The crystals' elemental powers can be called upon in times of extreme emotional distress or when the Guardians lives are in danger. Also when a star is found the corresponding element is then transposed into the crystal, that is how they have the ability to control an element when later activated. That power rests inside the crystal." Sakura looked and saw she was reading from the worn pages of the leather journal.
"So you have translated it?" Sakura asked her voice slightly raspy from the smoke.
"Only parts of it," Tomoyo replied rising from the couch where Eriol also sat. Sakura looked at Tomoyo to Eriol then back to Tomoyo catching her eye. "It's alright," Tomoyo said understanding the questioning look in Sakura's eyes. "He's a part of this too. Here." Rather than questioning how she knew, Sakura looked to see Tomoyo hand her a glass of water. "For every sentence you say you have to take a sip of water."
"Tomoyo that's silly. How am…"
"Ahem. A sentence. A sip. The paramedics said to keep you hydrated so by God we will even if that means forcing it down your throat." Sakura rolled her eyes at Tomoyo's mother hen routine, her eyes then landing on Li who was seated opposite the couch also with a glass in hand. Sighing Sakura took a drink of water and headed toward a chair near the couch.
Just then the door opened and Meilin entered also freshly scrubbed, garbed in borrowed clothes. She made her way over to the chair on the other side of the couch where Tomoyo was reseating herself. Not fair! Why doesn't Meilin have water patrol? Humph!
The room was silent for a moment until Tomoyo asked, "So Meilin, what happened in there?"
Meilin sat in her chair the ruby colored crystal lying in her outstretched palm trying to recall all the details. "I remember getting so angry and panicked that I was gonna burst. The damn fire extinguisher didn't do shit and they…they were gonna get burned. And I couldn't help." Meilin choked slightly remembering the oppressive feeling of helplessness. Seeing her friends, knowing that they would die and she could do nothing. Meilin felt a comforting arm drape her shoulders giving them a squeeze. She looked up to see Sakura silently encouraging her to keep going.
"Then…I don't know…" She shook her head in slight exasperation at her lack of words. "It was like an explosion of energy and there it was. And I could feel the fire…inside of me, felt it burn in my veins. And then the fire was gone."
"But I still don't understand. In…" Sakura started but stopped seeing Tomoyo glaring at her. Sip "In my dreams, the memories," she amended. "The stars weren't found that way. sip We would have dreams that led to the location of they were hidden in. sip Why did the Crimson Star appear from inside Meilin? sip Does that mean the stars now reside inside the Guardians?"
The room was silent for a moment until Tomoyo once again spoke up. She glanced over at Li a secret smile dancing in her amethyst eyes, "Li will know."
Li's head shot up as the others turned with looks ranging from confusion to curiosity. She knows? How much? Is she just guessing? Should I tell them? Li wrestled with his thoughts. If they don't already know they are going to figure it out. He couldn't keep them in the dark; their memories were already surfacing on their own. But maybe he could find a new way, a way from the inside, to accomplish his mission. Sighing Li said, "There's a reason why the location of the stars has changed. Last lifetime something occurred that caused the stars to enter the souls of the Guardians."
"And what was that?" Sakura questioned and was surprised when he glanced her way to see that his amber eyes were clouded over, murky and muddy. His eyes…they look so sad and lost.
"An accident." Was all Li said as he broke their gaze.
Sakura's eyes then narrowed as realization hit her. "How do you know all this?"
"Ahem!" Sakura turned to see Tomoyo eyeing the glass. With a sigh, Sakura downed the entire contents of the glass. "There. Happy?" Turning back to Li she saw he wouldn't even look in her direction. She was about to question his trustworthiness further when Tomoyo exclaimed, "Oh Sakura it's almost six thirty!"
"What?" Oh shit! Toya would be pissed if she was really late again. She picked up her bag hearing Tomoyo say, "Here I'll drive ya."
"Nah, don't worry about it. I'm already running late so it wouldn't matter if I got there in ten minutes rather than two. Besides, the exercise could do me some good." Sakura protested.
"Well just in case, Li why don't you walk Sakura home." Meilin suggested evilly as she and Tomoyo grinned.
"That really isn't necessary. I'll be alright." Sakura said her cheeks warming a little at the suggestion. They never give up do they?
Then Tomoyo's face twisted turning into a mask resembling that of a rhino ready to charge. "I am letting you walk only if someone goes with you. If you collapse on the street because you're still whacked on ammonia fumes I wanna know someone's there to catch you. He's going. End of story." Of course no one asked Li's opinion on the matter. "And grab a bottle of water before you leave." Tomoyo commanded.
"Ok," Sakura meekly surrendered to the wrath of her friend.
As Sakura went off to the kitchen Tomoyo pulled Li over to the side as he was walking by. "Don't let guilt hold you back." She stated simply.
Li's eyes widened. "You know?"
"That is why Eriol's here." Li did not understand what she meant by that statement and a rather funny look of confusion appeared on his face. Tomoyo continued, "While Sakura's dreams have still been faceless mine have not. At first when I saw Eriol's face I thought it was because I wanted him to be there, like I subconsciously did it. But I began to realize that they were really him, the same soul. And that's how it is with you. I know about how you and Sakura met, as Shatiri and Lizon. And I know what happened last time. And I know that you and Sakura belong together despite whatever the damn prophecy says or what that psycho Loki does."
Damn I can't hear this. Li thought. He did not need another reason to give in to temptation, his reasons against it were already beginning to wear away by the connection he and Sakura shared. It was like a river slowly cutting through stone; his resolve was fading.
"It is not your fault what happened." Then lowering her voice she said softly, "We all let her down. Don't let her suffer for a different lifetime."
Li walked away and Tomoyo let him. Who were they kidding? They all were suffering, had been suffering for thousands of years all because of a different lifetime. The first.
(street)
Sakura and Li spent the entire time walking in silence, the cold evening air a faint reminder that winter was still clutching the California area in its grasp despite the gradually warming days. And in that silence Li discovered a way to get Sakura out of danger. He would lie in wait, gaining their trust as the rest of the stars appeared, and once they were activated he would take them, by force if necessary. He would forge the crystal alone and kill the bastard that haunted Sakura's every life himself. He almost smiled to himself as he turned to leave Sakura at the doorstep of the apartment building; there was still hope to save her.
But Sakura stopped him calling out softly, "Li how did you know all this about the crystals?"
"…" Li was unsure how to approach this topic. He knew he needed her to trust him, but the question was how without revealing too much of the past.
"How am I supposed to believe you? If you've known you are a part of this why haven't you told us before? And how much more are you holding back? How-" There was a small hitch in her voice. Li turned and saw her green eyes crystallized by unshed tears. "How am I supposed to trust you?" She managed in a wavery voice.
Li felt the heavy sickness of guilt creep inside. Here he was supposed to be one who would help and protect her and instead he'd been lying and hiding; he had even attacked her. With reason perhaps, but that didn't undo the actions. Well trust had to start from somewhere and now seemed as good a time as any.
"How do I know?" Li began, his voice as quiet as hers. He reached inside his jacket and shirt and pulled out a necklace. And on the string hung a green crystal. The Emerald Star! Her mind exclaimed. He really is one of us. A Guardian.
A tremor coursed through Sakura's body as tears streamed down her face. This was all too much for her, secrets, death, prophecies. It was an overload. Sakura's knees gave way and she collapsed to the cold concrete adding to the numbness in her legs.
"Shhhh. It's okay. It's alright." Sakura felt Li's arm wrap around her shoulders as he knelt down beside her pulling her close so she could rest her head on his shoulder gently rocking her back and forth. She looked so frail and vulnerable, worn down by the confusion and panic that had plagued her of late. She needed something solid and to strong to hold onto, to give her hope that things would turn out alright in the end.
"It's just so real. That fire was real. We could have died just like that and we would be gone. If it wasn't for the stars I would be dead. I can't pretend this is just some imaginary game or someone's idea of a joke. We could have died," Sakura repeated trying to sort out the emotions that raced in her heart overwhelming her thoughts. "And we die. In my dreams the Guardians die. Our lives are in danger because of this task. And it is one that I don't understand. It's like looking a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces. Just when I seem to adjust to this slanted view a new piece fills in and throws the picture off entirely. And I hate feeling so out of control. Like we are these pawns in a huge game, but who are the ones moving us?"
This thought sent a chill through Li. He too felt like they were the play things of fate. Just mortals to be thrown around beat up even killed and it didn't even matter because they could be reborn and restart the process all over again. Sakura's current suffering only strengthened his resolve to end this vicious cycle this lifetime.
Sakura lifted her tearstained face, searching Li's eyes trying to ignore the pull of them. They could feel their breaths mingling and their bodies alive with simple touch. Almost instinctually Li raised his hand to her cheek to wipe away the salty streaks. Their faces inched closer wanting no distance to be left.
"YOU!" A voice yelled. "Get the hell away from my sister!"
Sakura and Li broke their gaze to see a livid Toya racing up the sidewalk toward them. "You should probably go before my psychotic brother breaks your neck." Sakura suggested with a weak smile. Li was tempted to stay just to piss off her annoying sibling but decided against it, Sakura had enough drama in her life without needed to referee a match between Li and Toya. Maybe later he thought when she is able to laugh.
He nodded and with a slight smile of encouragement, "Alright. See you in school." And he ran down the street turning into a nearby alley.
Sakura pulled herself up off the cement and dragged herself into the building, plodding up the stairway hearing an aggravated Toya stop at the door torn between chasing the "perv harassing his sister" or harassing his sister himself. A tough choice but he choose following the monster shouting in ragged breaths, "You…Him…Explain now!"
Feeling drained and unwilling to partake in their usual battle of wills she told him, "Toya not now."
At the door to their apartment Toya grabbed her to him crushing her in a massive bear hug. "Don't you ever scare me like that again squirt, ok?"
Huh? What's with him? Sakura wondered what in the world was going on. "Can't…breathe…" She gasped and Toya released his suffocating sister saying, "When I saw about the fire on the news I rushed to your school and then I went to Tomoyo's but you had already left."
Sakura was touched by her brother's concern. My brother might actually be human? Is it even possible? "How did you know I was actually in the fire?"
"Because you're so klutzy you probably caused it." Toya said calmly.
I take that back he's still inhuman. Why I even bother hoping is beyond me. "Idiot." Sakura mumbled but also secretly not wanting to admit that she had caused the fire by accident.
They entered the apartment and took off their outer layers as Toya went off to his room. Sakura was just about to go to her room when she heard a knock at their door. Opening it she found a smiling Yukito. "Hello," he said seeming on the verge of laughter.
"Hey. Wanna come in?" Sakura asked.
"No. I just came to return something." Yukito replied as he took off his backpack. He opened the little front pocket and held it out to Sakura who when looking inside found a very familiar looking hamster munching away on sunflower seeds. "I found this little guy in my bag. I had been wondering why I felt movement and was hearing crunching sounds. I guess he tried to stow away."
"Kero you evil little thing," Sakura scolded as she pulled him out. "Thanks Yuki. Kero's been escaping from his cage a lot and causing loads of trouble. Though most of the time I don't mind because he tends to end up in Toya's room scaring the crap out of him." She confided and Yukito chuckled.
"Well I best be off." Yukito said turning to leave.
"Are you sure you can't stay. We're having pasta." Sakura said.
"Oh, I don't want to impose."
"Imposing-schmosing. You're like family." Sakura then added pleased to see a slight reddening to his cheeks, "I'm sure my brother would enjoy the company." And with that she pushed him inside the door and shut it. "He's in his room. I'll let you guys know when dinner's ready." Toya owes me big time Sakura thought as she set to prepare some grub.
(Sakura's room)
Sakura sat on her bed watching Kero run around on the comforter that she had mushed up to make little mazes and caves in its material for him to play on. She could hear the distant laughter of Toya and Yukito from the living room where they were watching some made for TV movie. Normally she would have stayed with them but too much was weighing on her mind.
She felt herself yawn as the stress of the day caught up with her. Sakura lowered her head down to her pillow and barely noticed the vertigo sensation as she drifted off to sleep.
(Dreamland)
Sakura found herself standing in a gunmetal gray void. She could see nothing around as if an invisible smoke covered her vision. But she could hear the emptiness of this land as she called out, "Hello?" Not even hearing an echo back.
"Shatiri," That familiar voice slithered around her rooting her to the spot. Sakura's heart pounded. He's here a voice inside her whispered. Who's here? Sakura wondered. A figure made its way closer parting the blurry bleakness surrounding her. Sakura felt the air in her lungs sharply expand as she saw the man with black hair and those piercing eyes of that impossibly clear blue shade. It was the man from the street. He had found her in her dreams and she could not escape.
"Shatiri," He said again. "I've come for you." He extended his hand out to her and Sakura could feel her hand itch to move toward his but she held strong.
"Loki," She heard herself respond. He's Loki? "I will never willingly be with you. Give up this madness. I will never be yours." Sakura wasn't sure where these words were coming from but they rang true. It was like they flowed from inside her, a secret place that she had not yet discovered.
"Ah but that is where you are wrong. You falter every time a Guardian falls. What would you do if I was to hurt Eltrion or Mayli or Tali? What if I was to destroy Lizon?" Sakura felt the lurch in her heart at the thought. "I will do anything to win you and you know it. Be smart and give in to save them."
"No. You can't have me. Leave me alone!" Sakura shouted desperate to have his presence erased from her sight and from ever invading her life again.
"I will have you Shatiri. You belong to me. I am watching you."
(Sakura's Room)
Sakura jumped from her bed ready to make a run for it. But seeing she was safely back in her room slowed her darting eyes and sat back down on the bed hugging her knees to her chest.
Loki's threat chilled her to the bone. The name had a new meaning now that there was a face to it. It was him, that man who had found her alone on the street whose hypnotizing eyes had kept her trapped, unable to run away. That was him, the man who had hunted her through every lifetime. He threatened the lives of the Guardians, her friends all for his love for Shatiri… Oh no…The painful reality hit. Sakura felt the icy stab of knowledge prick her heart making her lose her breath. It's because of me. His love for me…Loki's killed and tortured the Guardians because of me. If anything happens to Tomoyo or Meilin or Eriol…or even Li, she felt her stomach sour and churn, it will be because of me. The reason they suffer is because of me. The memories came flooding back. Tali and Eltrion were the first to suffer Loki's wrath. He had murdered them when they would not tell where she and Lizon had run off to when they tried to escape. Leonce had been guillotined for marrying her. Lady Melissa suffered the Black Death that had swept the land when Loki's rage burned over the engagement of her and Lord Levant. The list was endless and overflowing. Every lifetime, every single one a Guardian had suffered a blow by Loki, every one but her that is. Hers was only to watch it happen and feel the guilt of responsibility.
"SAKURA!" The yell interrupted her thoughts and she jumped six feet in the air as her bedroom door flew open to reveal Toya red in the face with a chuckling Yukito behind him. "I just found your rodent in the bowl of popcorn!" Toya hissed holding Kero whose cheeks looked full onto bursting. "I wonder whether fried hamster goes better with teriyaki sauce or barbeque sauce?" Toya threatened.
Sakura quickly snatched Kero from the clutches of her brother. "Don't you even think about it sicko or I'll sick PETA on you!" Then she walked over to Kero's cage and after placing him inside locked the cage door with heavy duty paper clips hoping they would be able to keep him behind the bars. All the while Yukito chuckled and Toya fumed.
(School)
School was not closed down because the fire had been contained to only the Physical Science lab. The Physical Science class now found themselves in the Biology lab. It had the same exact set up as the Physical Science lab except the room was filled with tanks of water and odd creatures, tubes of indiscernible liquids, and plastic models of the inside of frogs. Since the Biology class only used it for dissections this room made an adequate substitute. But this change in placement had not yet settled in with one particular student even a week later as she rushed inside ten minutes past the bell.
"Sorry Ms. Mizuki. I ended up in the old lab." Sakura cried as she dashed through the door panting slightly from running.
"I already marked you tardy so you do not need to go to attendance. Take your seat please." Ms. Mizuki said with a smile. She had predicted correctly that the missing Kinomoto was not absent but rather late as usual.
Sakura walked to the back of class and slid into her seat beside Li. He looked at her and they both exchanged small smiles. It was as if the recent events had formed a small friendship between them. They still experienced the fire and sparks when they touched but there was also now a comfortableness between them that was layered underneath it. Sakura and Li also managed to miss the giggling of Tomoyo and Meilin who rolled their eyes.
"So how long do you think it will be before one of them breaks and they start going at it?" Meilin joked.
"Ehhh give them a week, two tops." Tomoyo replied.
"As I was saying before the earth is composed of many metals, many of these we can find on the periodic table such as iron, uranium, gold, silver, and the like. And of course there are now the man made metal alloys such as steel and bronze. But for today we will mostly be focused on the elements. Each will group shall be given an envelope with a scrap of unknown metal. Using tests of pliability, density, the flame test and so on you should be able to determine which mystery metal you have. Due to a cough accident in the other lab we no longer shall be using Bunsen burners. Instead we shall use the alcohol burners which have fewer tendencies to cause….complications." Finishing her lecture, Ms. Mizuki began to pass out blank white envelopes each containing a strip of metal.
Sakura picked up the envelope sliding out the thin strip of metal, "It's really light." She commented to Li. "What do you think we should try first?"
"How about using the hardness scale?" He suggested while pulling out a set of sample metals from a drawer in the table. Taking out the first sample he ran it against the unknown piece. A long streak appeared across it. "It scratched so it's softer than iron." They tried the rest of the samples. All scratched the unknown metal.
"I think it might be magnesium." Sakura stated leafing through her notes from the previous week trying to confirm the hunch.
"Only one way to find out," Li said as he lit the wick of the alcohol lamp a small orangish-blue flame appearing. Using tongs he lifted the test subject and put it into the fire. When he pulled it out the metal burned with a brilliant white light much brighter then the puny flame of the burner.
"Looks like we might be right. Let's put it under water to make sure." Sakura suggested as she read over the qualities of magnesium from her notebook.
Both walked over to the faucet and she turned on the tap letting the water run. Li held the blazing piece under the stream of water. It fizzled but never extinguished. Turning off the water the light burned just as bright. Sakura and Li stared at the everlasting blaze mesmerized that it could endure fire's enemy, water, and still keep on existing. Li couldn't help but think of their connection. No matter how many lifetimes passed it never faded. It would never break. It would never falter, be smothered, be extinguished or suffocated. It would survive.
"Looks like Li and Sakura have discovered the identity to their mystery metal," Ms. Mizuki commented as she walked over to them a bottle of mineral oil in hand to place the burning magnesium into. As Li was pulling the empty tongs back out Sakura felt movement beneath her feet, like the ground was beginning to yawn. The floor swayed and the tanks rattled and splashed. Students shrieked as they headed under the tables. But Sakura found herself frozen in place with fear. How she hated quakes. Luckily it lasted less than a moment, a mere trembler, a common occurrence to the area. The dead silence after was always the most unnerving part. The load roar of rattling windows and shaking buildings would vanish leaving an almost anti sound, an emptiness. Students clambered out of their hiding spaces soon beginning to go back to their experiments.
Sakura felt a hand slip into hers, warmth seeping up her arm. She looked around to find Li guiding her back to their table where he began to distract her with the rest of the experiment glad to not think of the earthquake.
(Girl's Bathroom)
Sakura walked into the bathroom stall to retrieve some toilet paper mentally cursing the cheap skate school for never having any tissues. She then heard two girls enter the room. Peeking out the stall slightly she sighed with disgust; it was Lily and Ashley two of Tara's cronies. Not wanting to deal with their offensive comments she decided to wait till she could make a clean get away.
"Did you feel that earthquake today?" Ashley asked halting in front of the mirror whipping out the super sized version of eyeliner and began to apply some making her already raccoonish eyes even more well raccoonish.(A/N: You guys know what I mean right?)
"Who wouldn't?" Lily snapped back as she teased her fried hair. "Of course it wasn't strong enough to get us out of school."
"Freaky things have been going on lately." Sakura stifled the urge to laugh. Ashleyy sounded like one of those freaks at the Armageddon is here conventions.
"Yeah like that fire the other week." Then Lily gave a quick glance around the room but seeing no one leaned closer saying, "You did hear who was involved didn't you?"
"Li and Sakura," Ashley said proudly proving that she had connections just as much as the other girl. For being friends they sure sniped at one another. "Those two seem to be getting rather acquainted don't you think?" She said suggestively. Should I be hearing this?
"Tara is pissed as hell at Sakura. That's two guys she's wanted who had rather be with Sakura. She was livid when she found out Sakura and Ben were no longer going out. You should see her in science class. She's like a time bomb waiting to explode at every little thing that happens between the two."
"Well is there anything happening between them?" Ashley asked obviously curious to hear any bit of this gossip.
"All I can say is sexual tension. They are always staring at one another and blushing but it looks like neither is willing to admit it. Tara doesn't stand a chance in hell." Both girls giggled. Guess loyalty doesn't run very deep in that crowd.
"Well she has slept with half of the football team. No guy in his right mind would want her for more then a test drive." Ashley joked as the two exited the bathroom leaving a wide eyed Sakura standing in the stall nit sure whether to be more shocked that she was a part of the gossip chain or that their cut throat sniping at everyone. Remind me never to hide in a bathroom stall again, She thought as she left to go to her locker. (A/n: Sakura pulled a Tara. Hehe. Couldn't help it)
There she saw Tomoyo and Meilin already there looking unusually solemn. It was then Sakura noticed the paper resting in Tomoyo's hand. She passed it to Sakura not saying a word. Sakura nearly fainted at the sight of the message on the page.
Be wary. Loki is watching.
(beach)
A few days later Tomoyo, Eriol, Meilin, Sakura, and Li were gathered at the beach trying to work out the cryptic warning.
"Be wary. What does that mean?" Meilin ranted. "What good does that tell us? You're in danger. Yeah thanks that's so helpful. Mind giving a little detail!!!" She called out to no one in particular.
"Breathe Meilin. Breathe." Sakura teasingly instructed.
"Well in a way the warning is of some use because it reminded me of something I found in a journal entry that I had been meaning to tell. It was the life during the Middle Ages. I can't read all of it but there's a passage where Tarice writes of Loki having spies in the castle. That he had ways to influence people. And that they were trying to figure out his true identity." Tomoyo relayed.
"True identity? I don't understand." Sakura mused.
"Think of the story of the first lifetime," Eriol suggested.
"What about it?" Meilin asked.
"Think about what happened to Loki."
"Well he was defeated but not destroyed," Sakura remembered.
Li then realized where Eriol was trying to lead them, "You're thinking about the soul he infected aren't you?"
"That means Loki could be watching us from anyone and we wouldn't even know it's really him. He could even be residing in someone we know, someone we talk with every day." Sakura said the thought sickening.
"He'd have a bird's eye view of how we progressed and planned and we would be clueless that he was nearby hearing it all." Eriol added.
"So then this warning is useful. It is telling us to be on guard even with people we would never suspect." Li finished.
The group fell silent weighed down by the idea that they could have met their enemy already and have never known it. It seemed so paranoid but frighteningly true. When the lack of talking grew too oppressive Sakura jumped up, "Come on guys let go for a walk," Trying to life their spirits. It didn't do any good to get lost in unanswerable questions, it only fed the confusion. She giggled slightly as she saw Eriol gallantly pull the chivalry routine. He hoisted Tomoyo into his arms claiming, "A lady should never have to walk. She might do injury to her delicate feet."
Sakura wandered up the beach coming across one of her favorite spots. It was a cave like overhang that followed the coast for a good few miles. It was like a cavern out of crag with holes in the roof to let the sun shine in filling the space with spots of light. The tunnel had been created by the years of tides flowing against the rock slowly wearing it away some parts relinquishing to the water's power faster than other pieces.
They all wandered their way inside through a larger gap in one of the walls. Sakura could feel the slightly damp sand press against her bare feet. Shells lay scattered about along with masses of seaweed. Luckily crabs were nonexistent in these areas or she would have been watching her toes quite carefully.
Sakura breathed in the cool sharp air letting it cleanse her of her worries. The sun warmed her face and she couldn't help but smile as the light chased away some of the darkness she had kept pent up inside of her. But this calming peace was not meant to last for it was shattered just moments later. She felt the slight roll back of the ground beneath her before it began to quake violently. The overhang began to crack and groan with the pressure of movement. Dust and debris began to fall as the rock started to crumble. "Everyone out!" Li shouted pointing to a nearby hole in the side wall that would be wide enough to let people pass. Meilin was the first to slide through but Sakura was still frozen in place and Eriol and Tomoyo were still a good distance away from the opening. Li ran to Sakura yanking her by the hand and shoving her through into the open air just as the roof gave way.
"Tomoyo! Eriol!" Sakura shouted through the clouds of powdered rock unable to see if they had made it out. She tried to go after them but she felt strong arms hold her back. "Wait." Li whispered.
"I can't. I need to see if they're alright." She wrenched free from his grasp shouting once again, "Tomoyo! Eriol! Answer me!" The ocean blew away the veil of dust only to reveal a heap of craggy rocks where the opening had been. It looked like the entire section of the tunnel had collapsed. "NO!" Sakura screamed and kneeling down began to try to move the rocks but lacked the strength to budge even one. Through her tears she saw a faint orange glow pulse beneath the jagged pile until it became blindingly vibrant. The rocks shook and trembled as if filling with energy until it hit maximum and burst apart being lifted in the air to reveal Eriol covering Tomoyo, both unconscious but alive and seemingly unharmed. Li, Meilin, and Sakura dragged their friends away from the wreckage where the light flickered and began to pull in till had formed a shape. The shape of the star. The Tangerine Star had been found. The light inside it faded away and the crystal then floated to its owner, Eriol.
While Sakura and Meilin focused on Tomoyo and Eriol, Li walked back toward the tunnel examining it. It doesn't make sense. This rock formation has been here for years and held strong against much more powerful earthquakes. What would cause it to break now? One word appeared in his head. Loki. But why? Why risk the lives of the Guardians before the stars are activated? Unless he is willing to take that risk so that the crystals are found sooner. But then why the haste? Once again his questioning only led to more questions rather than any solid answers.
(Sakura dreamland)
Sakura heard a sound like the sharp snap of a firecracker followed by a scream of outrage and pain. As her vision came into focus she saw the origins of the sounds. The snap was the crack of a whip. But not a sound came from the man being lashed even as his body convulsed in muted agony. Instead the cries of anguish came from a figure being restrained by two Confederate soldiers.
"No! Please," Savannah begged her green eyes burning with hot tears, "You'll kill him!"(A/N: people please forgive the cheese)
Finally the man standing beside her, Captain Bryant, ordered the beating to stop and the brown haired victim sagged, hanging from the ropes that bound his hands above him. "Don't cry Savannah," Bryant began as the soldiers released their hold on her. "I know how you detest violence. It's one of the reasons why I love you." Savannah struggled not to cringe at his words. "But this Yank is merely getting what he deserves. To think he's been trying to help runaways escape to the abominable North. He's a traitor to America." Bryant spat.
Savannah boiled with rage. She had been helping that "Yank" Logan run the Underground Railroad. It had been her and if it wasn't for her father she would have said it right then and there. But that's how it was. Her father was ill and to keep him out of the war she had agreed to the engagement to Bryant months ago. If she revealed the truth her father could suffer the consequences of her actions. Savannah could not allow that to happen, for her father to suffer more than he already had. So instead she watched as Logan was lowered from the ropes and the soldiers dragged his limp form to the tool shed by the manor, the impromptu prison.
"If you will excuse me Captain Bryant I need to attend to Mr. Logan's wounds." Her voice trembling slightly.
"You know his name," Bryant said sharply stopping her from following the soldiers, his eyes watching her carefully.
"Of course," Savannah replied indignantly, acting with a huff as if his questioning insulted her character. "He was our gardener for several months now. You would not expect me to know my own workers or to interact with them?"
"I am sorry Savannah. Forgive me. I did not mean to suggest anything or insult you."
She gave a little sniff and walked away thinking, 'Good, if he thinks I am angry for that silly little reason it will hide my real rage and he will also keep his distance for the time being.' Savannah stopped in the house to retrieve bandages and hot water. After spending a few minutes convincing the aggravating soldiers to let her pass she finally was able to see her love. There was a small cot in the center of the shed and Logan was lying face down on it unmoving.
Savannah rushed to his side gazing at his raw and bloody back. "Logan?" She whispered but there was no response. "Logan?" She tried again and this time saw him shift slightly as his head moved to where she could see his profile. "It's gonna be okay," She crooned as she ran her fingers gently through his messy hair trying to give any bit of comfort. Then she began to go to work on cleaning and bandaging his back while he slowly gained a grip on reality.
"Savannah?" Logan unsteadily tried to rise.
"I'm here. Don't fret." She said as she pushed him gently back on the cot. "You shouldn't move or you'll make your cuts worse."
"They're not as bad as the look."
Savannah let out a small chuckle at his attempt to be brave and protect her. She sat down next to the cot her face level with his as she once again began to stroke his hair and face. "Shhhh. You don't have to protect me. I know that it really hurts. This is my time to help and protect you."
"Protect me?" Logan said with a smile. "I would like to see you try Miss Savannah." He challenged.
It was amazing how laughter could lighten sorrow, and now was a time for lightening. "I am going to help you get away from here." Savannah stated. "You cannot stay. They will take you as a prisoner and I cannot bear the thought of what they would do to you."
"I am not leaving you behind." Logan protested firmly reaching a hand out gingerly and placing it on her cheek.
Savannah placed her hand over his. "You are going. I want to go with you but I cannot leave Father behind. Once you get back to the North you will be safe. But if they take you away I may never see you again. There is news that the South is failing. In a matter of months it could all be over. And then you could…will you wait for me?"
Instead of a verbal answer Logan pulled her face toward his and planted a soft kiss upon her lips. "You know I will."
Savannah then explained the plan of escape. When night fell she would sneak in the window of the tool shed and help Logan out. Then they would travel a few plantations over to the McMarlans who also were a safe house for escaped slaves. They would help him reach the North. And when the war was over he would come back for her.
She waited until he had fallen asleep before placing a kiss on his forehead and leaving. Savannah waited anxiously for the sun to set and the sky to turn a mix of rich amethyst and sapphire. When the last star was out she slipped out of the house to the shed walking by the crumpled form of the slumbering guard. Considering the condition Logan was in the guard assumed and rightly so that Logan could not escape, that is without assistance. She peered inside the window and saw the bed was empty and the shed as well. 'Where could he have gone?' Savannah thought and was just about to call out his name when she heard a noise ring in the distance. It was the sound of a gun being fired. "Oh please no,' she pleaded as she ran to the fields where the shot came from. She darted through the rows of crops dashing here and there following an already trodden path. At such a pace she was sure to collapse at any moment and nearly found herself on the ground as she tripped over a heavy object. When she looked down she felt the blood in her veins turn to ice. Lying before her feet was Logan his frozen features lit by the cold moonlight as a pool of blood surrounded his head.
(Reality)
Sakura's eyes opened, her breath harsh and inconstant as if she had really been running. She blinked trying to determine her surroundings. Why am I standing up? She thought. Then looking around, Where am I and… how did I get here? Sakura found herself in an empty alleyway in her pajamas in the middle of the night. Maybe I am dreaming.
The alley was lit by a few ice blue streetlamps. The trees waving in the slight breeze. The shadows danced around. But then one shadow began to act strangely. It began to grow and thicken turning more substantial. It slithered toward her curling around her legs and winding its way up till it engulfed her vision.
"Shatiri." It whispered the name over and over, pulling at her to let it into her mind and spirit. Sakura felt her defenses begin to give way to this unknown force until flashes appeared in her mind battling the darkness. It was Logan. It was Levant. It was Leonce. It was Lizon. The shadow relinquished, shriveling and slinking away in defeat.
And that was when Sakura felt him. His presence, she finally recognized it, the one who had scared away the shadow. He was standing right in front of her. Her body tingled with anticipation at finally seeing the man in her dreams, the one she had spent so many lifetimes with. "Lizon?" She called out still not wanting to open her eyes for fear that maybe he would disappear.
She heard his reply, "I am here Shatiri."
But Sakura was not prepared for who stood before her as she opened her eyes discovering intense ambers eyes gleaming back at her. "L-Li?" She whispered feeling her knees gave way beneath her. Lizon was Li. Li was Lizon. The recognition, the feeling of familiarity, the connection it all fell into place. Lizon and Shatiri had finally found one another again.
Sakura was shocked to discover that she had not fallen to the ground and that instead Li had caught her about the waist steadying her. The feel of his hand on the small of her back sent shivers coursing through her, surprised to find that heat could give chills. Amber gazed into emerald and neither could break it even if they had wanted to, they were connected feeling the energy begin to grow again charging the air around them. Conscious thought went out the window as the world melted to hold just the two of them and nothing else.
Li could not help the swelling in his chest as he held her, feeling her heart racing just like his, perfectly in sync. And even her knowing who he really was only added to the ecstasy of the moment. He was her soul mate. And she his.
They felt the connection tug at them as Li slowly leaned his face to meet hers. He gently brushed his lips against hers. The kiss was innocent and pure and achingly sweet. It was a reuniting of two halves binding themselves back into one.
Li pulled back only to bring his lips down upon hers again. Then it was an explosion of stars. Sakura wrapped her arms about his neck as he pulled her closer sliding a hand up her back until resting at her neck entwining his fingers in her silky hair. Everywhere they touched electricity flowed between them, it was like flying in a lightning storm. Sakura could feel the zings shoot up her spine from his palm under her shirt, and Li could feel the shocking warmth of her skin pressed against his hands. The intensity of the kiss grew as Sakura parted her lips allowing for Syaoran to deepen the kiss, both lost in the overwhelming sensations that they never wanted to end.
So engulfed in one another were they that they failed to notice that they were in an alley at some unknown hour of the night…being watched.
Tada! So now is the time I need some feedback especially on a few things
The kiss of course after eight full lead up chappies didi it live up to expectations or fail miserably. Any comments bout hamster Kero The plot. Any comments or question about how its going. Any confusion or things that work, don't seem to work ya know. anything else.Lots of love!
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