Disclaimer: I don't own ccs, though I wish I did.
Thanx to the following people! Your reviews were great, and the tips, well, I definitely needed them! So, Let's be a little more detailed, shall we?
LiL:.CaT:.AnImE- Thanx for the tip! It really helped, and I can do some descriptions now! So happy!
Anonymous-Steady pace, hmm? I think I can do that. I'll have to go back and forth a bit though. Would it be easier if I explained what's going on at the end of the chapter? Any one can answer this question.
Adriana- Sorry, but it's fun to write cliffhangers, just to keep wonderful fans like you on the edge of your seat. (Innocent smile) Oh, and I have a three-day weekend, so I can write a lot.
Starbolt1218- I'm not sure. Stardust is your signature, but it would sound good as an author name. Maybe if it isn't taken already?
Serenity's Blaim- I'm not sure why I did that. Oh, wait, yeah, I do! BUT! I won't spoil it just yet! Sorry, guys, you gotta wait!(Evil grin)
Story Weaver1- Thanx! I think I can remember it all.(Sweat drops) JK, I copied the list onto a file in word for reference. I remembered Windy, then Fly, but I missed the next episodes. I can't remember why, though. It's been too long.
Now, on with da chapter!
'I have to get to her before mother does. If not, who knows what she'll do.' Running as fast as he could, Syaoran ran to the gardens.
"Syaoran! Get back inside! Don't you dare go into the gardens!" He snorted. Her rank was lower than his, so she couldn't force him to obey.
"Sakura!" She was asleep in the middle of the garden, a book in her left hand, a card in her right. He picked her up gently, then ran around to the opposite side of the castle to avoid his mother. Using the servants entrance, he entered the castle, Sakura still asleep in his arms. He hurried up the stairs, and Eriol met him on the way.
"Quickly, before she catches us! I've sealed her room, so no one can enter from the balcony."
"Good. She's somewhere behind me."
"I'll cover for you. You owe me."
"Shut up." He continued his way up the stairs, and Eriol stayed put. Yelan came running up to him.
"Where is my son?"
"I think he went to the library. He said he wanted to meet you there. Why don't I escort you?" He grabbed her arm and pulled her down the stairs towards the library.
"I want to see my son! I know he isn't down here, he's up in his servant's room, pampering the little bitch . . ." She stopped as they entered the library, and, sure enough, Syaoran was there, reading a book.
"Hello mother. I'd like to talk with you. Thank you for taking her here, Hiiragizawa. You may go." Eriol bowed and left, walking up the stairs to his room. Then he remembered something. Going up two more flights, he knocked on a door three times. The door opened, and he felt a small body hit his, knocking him back a step.
"Is she okay? Can I see her? Did she get hurt? Where's Sakura-chan?" Eriol hushed her before more questions came out.
"She'll be fine. Now, come on. I don't know when she'll wake up." Tomoyo removed herself from Eriol and nodded. They walked down the hall a little ways and came to Sakura's room. He opened the door, and Tomoyo ran to the bed, checking on Sakura.
"She's gonna wake up tomorrow, and is gonna be very hungry! I'll cook for her!"
"That will be fine, but rest tonight. You'll have a big day tomorrow."
"Why?"
"Not here. I'll tell you tomorrow. Now, go to bed." She couldn't refuse his order, so she left the room. After she was out of sight, he also left, securing the door behind him. "Bed!" He spotted her at the corner, and Tomoyo dashed away. He smiled at her childishness. Then went down the hall. "Good night. And don't go visiting Sakura after dark. That's an order."
"Awwwww, but . . .!"
"No buts. Good night." He turned off her light, then went downstairs.
"That was close. I was able to secure the one card into the book, but it'll come out when she wakes up, unless I can seal it in first. It's already chosen her, so she'll have to seal it herself, when the time comes."
"I notice you don't say her name. Are you afraid of something?"
"No, but my mother would get suspicious if I started calling the servants by their names."
"Right, I believe you. I'm going to bed. It's going to be a long ride tomorrow." Syaoran caught the slip.
" 'Ride'? Where are you going?"
"I wasn't going to say anything, but . . ."
"Leaving?! But, what about Sakura-chan? What about . . .?"
"Hush, Tomoyo!" She stopped talking. "Sakura has a great many tests she needs to undergo, and she can't have any help. I'm sorry, but we can't stay here." Tomoyo started crying.
"So . . .I won't . . .see Sakura . . .again?" She didn't look at Eriol, her face in her hands. He walked over to her, and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
"We'll visit. I promise. Now, you said you'd cook something for Sakura? Go, but be quick! You need to pack your things." She nodded, and walked slowly from Eriol's room as he released her. Sensing something, he walked out and up the stairs.
"Oh, I thought you'd feel it. That's why I waited."
"You shouldn't have. You know the consequences if you wait too long to begin the spell. I'll wait. Tomoyo is making food for Sakura." Li didn't hear the last part because he had started chanting, sitting on Sakura's bed, next to her arm. After a few moments, she began to struggle in her sleep. When Tomoyo came in with some food, Sakura and Li were dripping with sweat. Finally, Li stopped, as earrings appeared on Sakura's earlobes. He took them off and placed them in the clow book. When they were sealed in, she stirred.. She didn't catch his smile at her, but did notice the aroma of food.
"Tomoyo-chan? That smells good!"
"So, are you going to tell her, Li?" Eriol asked silently as they left the two girls alone.
"No. She'll start training hard tomorrow to help her forget her old home. I could probably arrange us to visit for the next holiday."
"That's pretty far off. Well, I'm sure you have your reasons, Li."
"Yeah, I do. Of course, you're undoubtedly going to find out one way or the other."
"Of course."
"Master Li!" No response. "Master Li!"
"nnn?" A very groggy Syaoran rolled over on his bed, getting a full blast of sunlight.
"Master Li! Your mother requested you to meet her in the throne room!"
"Just a few more minutes . . ." Sakura sighed as he turned away from the window, wrapping his head in the covers.
"Master Li! She says get up, or I can spill water on you." No response. "Oh, well, I warned you. She picked a bucket of water she had brought into the room, and dumped its contents on Li, who sat up.
"What are you doing?!"
"I tried to tell you, your mother wants to see you in the throne room!"
"That was cold!"
"I told you she gave me permission to dump water on you."
"Out. I'll meet you on the training ground."
"OKAY!" She zoomed out, closing the door behind her. Not finding a dry spot on his bed, he sighed and got out of his bed, getting dressed. He dried his hair and walked down the stairs.
"You asked for me, mother?"
"Syaoran, you're wet! What happened?"
"A servant with a bucket of cold water, who, apparently, had your permission to dunk it on me." Li replied sourly. Yelan smiled.
"Ah, yes, little Sakura. Anyway, I called you down here because you are thirteen now, and you must take your training more seriously . . ."
"A harder class? Why? Isn't this one hard enough?"
"When the heir to a clan turns 13, he must undertake a harder training class, to test his might and strength, and to improve it. And only the heir can undergo the class."
"So I can't take it?"
"No. You're not even supposed to take fighting lessons at all. It's not because you aren't doing good enough, it's just the custom."
"So, who am I going to train with?"
"Well, before I start, I was planning on visiting Eriol . . ."
"When?!" Sakura looked at Syaoran with big eyes. He smirked at her.
"Tomorrow. Pack your things, we're going to surprise them."
"Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!" She hugged Li around the waist and didn't let go for a minute, then sped off. He rubbed where she had squeezed.
"For a 10-year-old, she's very hyper, not to mention strong. I don't think I want to be in the same room as her when she finds Tomoyo. I should warn Eriol . . .Nah, he'll tell. Now, how to leave without mother knowing . . ."
"WOW! Is this really . . ."
"Yes, it is, but before you go racing to your friend, you're not allowed out until Eriol and myself are safely inside." Sakura giggled. "What?"
"Nothing, Master Li." She giggled again, and Syaoran sighed. When the carriage stopped, he got out, and walked out to meet Eriol, who had come out to greet them.
"Don't let her at the carriage until we get inside." Eriol grinned.
"And when we do?"
"Close the doors and run to the farthest room." Eriol chuckled. "What?"
"Nothing, Li."
"You sound just like her, and it's annoying!"
"Yes, of course. I'm supposed to annoy you, remember."
"Oh, don't remind me." They walked inside, and Eriol nodded to Tomoyo, who smiled and zoomed off.
"The door, close the door!" It closed, but they didn't hear anything from outside. "Are these sound-proof?"
"You wish. Let's wait a minute."
"I still don't hear anything." They looked at each other, then opened the doors. Bad move. Two little bodies tackled theirs, making them temporarily lose their balance. "I knew it was too good to be true. It was too quiet."
"You two planned this, didn't you?" Eriol looked down at Tomoyo, who gave him an innocent look.
"Eriol, this isn't funny."
"Oh, but it is, Li. These two girls are very clever, tricking us like that. Go, the garden should be open." They were released from the girls' death grip, and Tomoyo, giggling, dragged Sakura away towards the gardens.
"And here I thought I wouldn't hear anything for a week."
"You came for a reason?"
"Yeah, training."
"Does Sakura know you're staying here?"
"Of course not. She would have screamed. My mother doesn't know, either."
"So, you just upped and went?"
"Pretty much."
"Wanna spy on two lovely girls?"
"Eriol . . ." Syaoran growled.
"You have to admit, they are going to become lovely young ladies."
"They're ten."
"Right now, yes. And Tomoyo's an extraordinary clothes designer."
"Eriol . . ."
"Don't worry, she's too young. But still, she made half of my wardrobe." Syaoran rolled his eyes.
Soooooooooo, whacha think? Sorry for the long update(two weekends, I know!) but certain things happened. Don't ask, or I'll go into a frenzy. Ask jojo. When I'm angry at someone(Which I am) I go into details as to why I'm angry and exaggerate a bit. Hey, I'm a teenager, what can I say? Anyway, since promising brings bad luck, I'll just ask for you guys to pray for a fast update! I love you guys! sniff sniff