Chapter Five: The Search for Hope

Simon says: Olwen-Cheesecake does not own CCS...
Olwen says: Is that enough or must I expand?
Simon says: Shut up.
Olwen-Cheesecake: xx

"He never said anything about a fork in the path!" Takashi burst as he too, came upon the splitting path.

"We know we have to stay on the path no matter what happens." Syaoran said carefully.

"All we need to do now, is choose which way to go; left or right?" Sakura finished.

"Exactly," confirmed Takashi, but there was a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"But..."

"But what, Sakura?" Syaoran asked, immediately.

Sakura sighed and gave her opinion a try. "He told us to keep going and said that the path is our only option...we can't step off of the path."

Takashi interrupted. "He made that clear." Takashi didn't think Sakura's opinion would help them, but she began to defy it.

She cleared her throat to call their attention again, "So in conclusion it can be said that either way we choose to go will lead us out of the forest anyway. It's just a matter of which one is more difficult and longer than the other. Right?"

Syaoran and Takashi stared at Sakura in plain astonishment. After about five minutes of shocked gawking, they moved onto the stage of denial, then the stage of acceptance and finally the stage of action.

"If that's true, all we have to do is ask ourselves which path we prefer to take..." Takashi said.

"Left," Syaoran said hastily.

Sakura hesitated, "I think that that isn't the best idea."

"Why not?"

Sakura pointed toward the left path, where several spiders fled from it to the right path. "Whatever's at the end of that path can't be pleasant."

"To the right!" Takashi marched to onto the right path, finalizing their direction of choice.

"What's wrong?" Syaoran slowed to Sakura's unstable pace. He had noticed her hesitant mood on the path she had chosen right for them. He had also seen her look around cautiously and hold onto her key pendant every now and then.

"I know we took the path that would lead us out without any enemies awaiting us at the end, but that doesn't mean this is the easier path. In fact, I can bet my life this is the longer and tougher path." Sakura admitted without protest.

"What!?" Takashi had obviously overheard.

"You knew this even when the spiders fled from the left path to the right, in front of your eyes?" Syaoran continued calmly without giving the slightest reaction to Takashi's shriek.

"If I tell you the truth don't be mad-"

"Wrong!" Takashi shouted.

"Okay." Syaoran agreed.

Sakura, like Syaoran, had ignored Takashi's over-reaction. She didn't care what he thought, she cared about what Syaoran thought; and apparently, so did Syaoran. "I felt for my key pendant and held onto it, wishing an hoping it would give us some sign of which way to go and when I opened my eyes, there were the spiders. Crystal clear that the left path was dangerous, so I chose the right path knowing that it would be riskier, but at least our fate will be fulfilled..."

"Whether we live or die-"

Takashi had a spasm, "DIE?" he went on blabbering about how he wasn't ready to die and how his girlfriend still needed him and his throat and ears and lying. While Takashi over-reacted Syaoran whispered to Sakura, "So you think there's a horrible surprise at the end of the left path?"

"People I suppose, men from the emperor's palace." was the answer he received, but was quickly eliminated from thought when Takashi's echoed complaints were silenced and he whimpered.

"Do you feel that?"

"Yeah," Sakura and Syaoran said in chorus.

"It's the forest," Sakura continued. "Trying to make us break down...disintegrating all of our hope." Sakura felt her own hope rise a small bit, but she knew her defiance wouldn't be able to hold long against the force of the forest. "Tell me when you can't bear it and don't think you'll last."

An hour passed and Sakura could feel Takashi's weakened state affect her own. Syaoran held his head up strongly, but with bitterness. Sakura was beginning to get tired, but she refused to left a dreadful fate affect her dreams of a successful one that she had dreamed about many a night. The forest was penetrating their shield of hope, defiance and strength. Cold sweat ran down Sakura's forehead to her neck and she wiped it away.

Takashi let out his hoarse voice for the first time since they had felt their hope decreasing, "Sakura, you told me to tell you when I can't bear it-I can't bear it."

Sakura sighed, "Shield!" a serene calm followed the word and the forest's penetration lifted higher away from them, but it was still there. Kero flew out of Sakura's bag, feeling the calm and hearing the call. He didn't like the idea of her wasting her energy, but didn't say so. They walked further and quicker, and Kero flew above, until there was a rustling behind a shadowed bush near the path. It was Sakura's turn whimper, especially at the thought of ghosts haunting the forest. She hated ghosts.

Takashi suddenly seemed pleased with the rustle. "Ying-Fa...well Sakura-this shield is really helping." he began. "You know, this forest is at the centre of many stories, but I know one which is very true. This forest, of course, has no ghosts because even the ghosts can't stand it!" Sakura sighed in relief when Takashi said there were no ghosts, but the relief was diminished once he started again. "There is much much worse here. The story was originally about a little girl whom kidnapped and chopped into little pieces. The killer put her body pieces all around this forest. They say her head was buried under the path where the forest ends near Tokyo and her heart buried in the gloomiest, deepest part of the forest; the heart of the forest. The poor girl, Claire. I'm sure everyone's heard about the rumour of the three brave students entering this same forest to collect footage by challenging Claire's poltergeist of a spirit. They called it the Claire Witch Project...many have claimed its a source of witch craft, but actually, it's just the after-effect of Claire's death. They also claim that the killer could've been an evil witch craft practitioner. Those poor brave students...somewhere in this forest. Their bodies are probably-"
"Oh shut up!" Syaoran yelled over top Takashi. Then more stiffly added, "You're scaring the shit out of Sakura."

Takashi remained silent until they had truly reached the gloomiest part of the forest. "We are at the heart of the forest. We have penetrated our way through and now we are near the end of the path. So near I can feel the light." Takashi smiled up at the roof of the forest; a way of sniffing the fresh and free air.

Sakura was withering. Her face seemed a pale yellow, but at Takashi's words her face seemed to regain a bit more colour. She was filled with relief, happiness and renewed hope. Hope to get out, to survive, to save the human world. It made Sakura proud to think that she and Syaoran and Takashi were on a mission to reclaim the world. Their world. My world.

"Sakura you can't keep the shield up the whole time! You'll get too weak-stop." Syaoran yelled through her thoughts with worry. Anxiety was written all over his face. It made Sakura want to kiss his face until it loosened in surprise.

Sakura smiled weakly, trying to conceal the thought. "We'll never know until I try."

Syaoran's face was full of anger now. His only alternate response. "You have been trying! You don't need to try anymore! Just stop-we're almost there..."

"About another hour." Takashi added.

Sakura smiled, cleverly. "Good, seeing as there isn't that long to go, I'll keep the shield up." Syaoran was about to protest, but the wind picked up speed and began rustling the leaves surrounding them. The trees swayed back and forth, creating, what seemed to be an earth-swerving movement. "They're speaking." Sakura said suddenly, but her voice was hidden by the rapid whispers of the forest. Then, there was a blood-curdling scream. Sakura shivered. She knew the trees were alive and she knew they were revealing their secrets. The forest was claiming its prey.

"Sakura..." Syaoran grabbed Sakura's hand, but it didn't provide the comfort she was hoping for. Sakura jumped in surprise when seeing live insects crawl from the hidden parts of the forest. They were scampering away from the dangers, but couldn't seem to get away. Takashi jumped in surprise too, but Syaoran remained as stiff and stony as ever. Sakura looked down at his hand clasping hers. He's sweating. He's scared. He loves me. Her last thought vanished when she felt the world leaving her...blackness began to surround her. She was giving up. Her body went limp, but Syaoran caught her before she fell. The shield weakened, leaving Takashi and Syaoran susceptible to the forest's blow. And boy did it hit them hard. Syaoran swung Sakura into his arms and began walking forward, trying to ignore the weight of the forest. Takashi stumbled behind him, and Kero, who had been silent the whole way flew above them to measure the distance until the end of the forest.

Syaoran's chest burned as he advanced. He knew he had a slight chance of lasting more than five minutes, but the pain was near unbearable and he felt as if he were drowning in the dreary, hopeless forest. Takashi wasn't helping by whimpering and stumbling into Syaoran every now and then. Syaoran almost fell to the ground the next time Takashi had bumped into him, negligently. He placed Sakura on the forest floor, caressing her face, while whispering half-heartedly to her. "Your basis of life is hope. You'll die in here, but I can't let you. I won't." He was almost crying now, but it was hard to tell. "You can't die. NOT HERE! NOT NOW!" his voice bellowed across the forest.

Takashi snorted, "You don't have to growl as well."

"I didn't," Syaoran said.

"Oh."

"Did you hear a growl?" Syaoran asked.

"I'm not deaf." Takashi answered, defiantly. Then in a more desperate manner he added: "I think it's a wolf."

"Nonsense, no living creature could possibly live-" Syaoran was drowned by a nearby growling. He was startled to see a wolf the same size as him ready to pounce. The worst part was, was that the wolf wanted him. "Takashi, get Sakura away from here. I'll handle this!" Syaoran reached for a black and white globe in his pocket and began reciting, but was cut off by a familiar, weakened shout.

"SHIELD!" cried Sakura. A memorable pleasantness hovered over the three of them again. The wolf squealed like a pig about to give birth and fled.

"Sakura, don't be foolish! You'll die trying to save us." Syaoran warned, but he wasn't angered; he was scared.

"Can't stop me, " she tried to tease. She began crawling, trying to find a way to get onto her feet. "Can't-get-up."

Kero flew down to Sakura's side. He nodded at her and transformed into Keroberous. Without any other motion or acknowledgment, he lifted Sakura onto his back and walked on forward. Syaoran and Takashi also followed silently. Keroberous looked strained, almost pale, but who could tell through a lion's fur? Finally he spoke, "It's just ahead. I found both path's exits. It seems that Sakura was right to lead us the longer way-after all, we would've had to deal with six imperial soldiers." His voice softened, "Sakura's instincts are perfectly in tact, but her strength is not."

"How much longer?" Takashi asked, wearily.

"You'll live, don't fret." Sakura said, to everyone's surprise. They had thought she was unconscious. "And the shield is still working."

"We feel it," Syaoran said. "Though hardly. A sign of your weakening."

Sakura's eyes flared, "Easy for you to say-you have no idea how weak I feel, but then again you have no idea how much strength it took."

"I think I do."

"I don't think you-"

"Shut up." Takashi said.

Sakura ignored him, "Always acting like you know how everyone feels and we're supposed to accept the fact that you're the Almighty knower of all feelings??"

Syaoran's face turned red with anger, "I don't have time for your little wanting-to-bicker-urges."

Sakura looked outraged. "I have enough strength to hold up this shield and pound you into minced meat."

Syaoran looked at her daringly and pressed his face closer to hers. "Try me."

Sakura began picking herself up, but she was surprised when Keroberous suddenly tossed her to the ground. Syaoran couldn't help laughing at her. She felt light peer at her through the trees. She felt hope reaching out to her. She felt alive. She felt strong. And she wanted to use that strength for after she got out of the forest. She smiled to herself and crawled to the exit. She was on her knees as she broke through several spider webs and branches. She flung herself on the ground outside of the forest, only to be followed by Syaoran, Takashi and worried Keroberous.

Sakura sighed, "Hope at last."

Syaoran nodded and picked her up to her feet. "You got that right." She could stand. She could move. She was regaining strength. She liked the feel of it.

"Syaoran," she gave him a sheepish look. "I owe you something."

Syaoran looked flustered and his face went beet red. "W-what?"

Sakura inched closer with a honey-sweet smile plastered on her face. She inched so close it appeared as if she was going to kiss Syaoran, but instead she pounced onto him. "I promised to make you minced meat!"

Somewhere in Tokyo

"They take so long to get to Tokyo. I mean, even we made it faster and we fell behind by two days." Touya complained. "And that purple-eyed servant that's so precious to Sakura is bugging me like hell."

"You shouldn't have called for her." Yukito stated. He was near hysterics. "You have to be patient. I'm sure they've taken the longest way to get here. Perhaps the most impossible way as well."

Touya sighed, "What gossip have you heard now?"

Yukito chuckled in pleasure, "Tomoyo tells me that six soldiers were surprised when the three mysterious wanderers didn't appear at the exit of the forest after three days. Did you know the emperor himself ordered them to catch them? Accused of possible assassination. They say footprints outside of the forest tell them that the three mysterious assassins wandered from another exit. The Guardian of the forest, he who never reveals his name, says he led them in halfway and will not talk of their purpose or whereabouts." Yukito laughed. "The Lord Almighty of Obythia would have his head by now, but there's something about the balance of Obythia that the emperor will not reveal. It's quite maddening actually."

Touya wanted to burst out in tears of anger. "At least they made it through. Emperor's an ass if you ask me."

"So are you."

Touya turned to glare, causing the teasing smirk to wipe off of Yukito's playful face. Touya sighed in defeat, "Sorry Yukito. I'm just all mixed up and frustrated." Yukito nodded. Touya could hear words revolving in his mind. Don't wanna try. Don't wanna try. Found you've said enough; it's been a rough road. Just let it go. Don't.

Yukito could almost hear Touya's thoughts. "If you give up on her it won't matter. It may be destiny, it may be fate-and you can't stop that. But know this...it's all because of hope."

Touya smiled, "Hope."

In a crowded area in Tokyo...

"Go to the Gardens of God with much care..." began Takashi.

"Fortunes you will find there..." Kero continued, from within the bag.

"Seek them out and search for I..." Syaoran continued after Kero, hastily.

"For I live where death often comes by." Sakura finished, undecidedly.

"In Tokyo-let's eat." Takashi managed to say afterward. He ran toward the main market area where the streets were practically made out of food stalls. Sakura was able to keep Kero in her bag by bribing him with an enticing cheesecake.

"Sa-Ying Fa, what do you want to eat?" Syaoran eyed the crowds suspiciously.

"Dumplings!" Sakura confidently went over to a food stall to get all of the four within the group, large plates of dumplings. While digging through her money bag, taking out exact change she heard the owner of the stall say, "Thank you sir...ma'am." he nodded at someone beside her and at her.

"Oh-I had enough to pay." Sakura grabbed two plates when Syaoran grabbed the other two.

"Your welcome."

"Thanks," Sakura placed the plates at a worn out picnic table under an old oak tree. Syaoran sat beside her and dumped dumplings into her bag. Takashi joined them with cupcakes and a cheesecake for Kero.

"You know-" Sakura stopped short. Syaoran stared intensely at Sakura, waiting for her to continue. His eyes were showing an additional emotion she hadn't seen there before. Then a thought hit her. One that had vanished within the forest, two days ago. He loves me.

"Hello?" Syaoran waved is hand in front of Sakura's eyes until she flinched. "You seemed interested in some other thought-care to share?" Sakura shook her head. "Then tell me what you were going to say before your pause and think escapade." Syaoran suggested in a questioning tone.

"You know next week, it'll be exactly two years since we-well we were damned in Obythia. Considering we don't remember anything then of before. It'd be two years since we-since..." Sakura stopped, realizing what she had meant to build up to this whole time.

"Since we?"

"Never mind."

"Oh come on, tell me!" Syaoran pleaded.

"No-it's stupid." Sakura said flatly and felt sick. She couldn't sit here and eat like this. She took a dumpling and ate it, but dumped the rest in her bag, and received a munch and a muffled "Thank you!"

"Not hungry?" Syaoran had been watching her every movement.

"No," Sakura got up from the bench of the picnic table. "I'm gonna take a walk."

"Alright, "Syaoran tried to read her eyes, but Sakura walked away quickly and soon the walk turned into a run. She ran down a hill and to a huge valley where the rocks were organized in a manner that seemed they could be stairs for a giant. Sakura ran to the tallest rock and sat on top to think about why such emotions were taking control of her and emerging. She lied down and cried the emotions out, unsure of how else to get rid of them.

Why do I feel so awful? It's like I'm remembering things between me and other people. Especially Syaoran. Life hates me...but Earth, Earth left me-

"Sakura!" someone called from above the rocks. Sakura looked up to see a familiar face coming down towards her. Syaoran. She wiped away her tears and put on the best smile she could conjure. Too late. Syaoran had seen her tears and he could feel her misery. "Why are you crying? You can tell me." he assured her.

"I can't!" Sakura was sobbing again.

"Why not!?"

"You wouldn't understand." she answered, casually.

"Wouldn't I?" Syaoran interrupted her sobs.

"Old emotions, old memories. They're emerging all the time now. It hurts." Sakura gave in, partially.

"I know," Syaoran paused. "It hurts me too."

"Clearly I'm not as invincible as you when it comes to emotion!" Sakura tried to retort.

"What is that supposed to mean!? Don't think I can't feel the hurt. I just don't show it and that's why I envy you." Syaoran blushed at his honest-to-God words.

"Next week..." Sakura felt the protective walls fall. "It'll be two years since we first kissed."

Syaoran didn't look surprised. "I should've known that's what you wanted to tell me. We can celebrate-how about some emperor ass-kicking." he joked.

Sakura laughed, "I'll stick to looking for the Hope card, for now."

"Speaking of such, I think I got an idea of where the next clue is. I saw this shrine that had the most beautiful gardens ever. And guess what?" Syaoran began. Sakura nodded for him to continue. "Right beside it was a happy cemetery. I saw it when we crossed the bridge to the market."

"I hate cemeteries." Sakura said.

"We're only gonna visit the fortune stand in the shrine." Syaoran added.

"Oh-well in that case..."

A.N.: List of Explanations:

1) Purple-eyed girl...obviously is Tomoyo.

2) Hope is mentioned excessively throughout the next chapter(s).

3) Read and Review!!!!

Thanks! Tash