"Three Jewels Enchanted: A Past Yet Untold… "
by Seventh Faythes
Jezareth: Oh man! Half a month before school starts! Ugh!
Robin: As you can see, we're all getting pretty worked up because of our impending doom.
Rohan: What they mean is we're signing up for the COCC/CAT training which means waking up at dawn to go to school just to train under the scorching heat of the sun and-
Xiao Lei: Ahem! Before things get outta hand, we'd like to thank the people who reviewed the past few chapters and we know it's kinda rushed, but that's just how we really write. We're trying to base it on a show that's practically rushed too, so please bear with us. And sorry about my mistake, Lupinelightning. It's just that in Fantasya, dragons don't have any genders, so we decided to call you a he. But don't worry. We'll try to make you into a female dragon in this chap!
Xiu Ying: Glad you liked how we got s+s closer!
Lenny: We are trying our best to make it into quite a fantasy fic. We've already tried translating the theme song for those guys out there who couldn't understand Filipino. Just wait for us to slip it in, k?
Xiu Ying: Waaaahhhh! Cable's gone! Can't watch Encantadia…must pull self together…
Disclaimer: Seventh Faythes do not own any CCS characters that all belong to marvelous CLAMP ladies. Though Jeza and I agree that owning Syaoran would be quite a dream….This fic is also based on the uber-cool tele-fantasya (television Fantasy show) here in the Philippines, Encantadia, which, by the way, is sweeping us by storm. If you have time, you can look it up in the net, and we assure you a great catch!
Jezareth: And our internet connection isn't cooperating either! Curse this stupid weather! (growls and jumps like a wolf on everybody)
Xiao Lei: (sweatdrops)
Jezareth: Oh! By the way! I would like to make a request to some kind people out there. We want to learn a lot about the story of XXXholic. Could you give us an overview, excluding the facts that 1) Watanuki works for Yuuko(why does he work there anyway) 2)Yuuko has a shop (What does she sell?) and 3) Watanuki is a boy and Yuuko is a girl (we know that already! What are their ages anyway?)
Seventh Faythes: On with the fic!
+A Past Yet Untold…+
Almost everything in the kingdom looked dead. All of Fantasya was mourning. The plants refuse to bloom, the animals refuse to make any noise, and even the skies were gloomy.
Sakura learned during her stay that everything was responding to the feelings of the present ruler. In other words, Syaoran.
And he was not in a mood to be happy.
Queen Yelan, his mother, had just died.
Sakura was there. The queen was lying on her deathbed, all pale and weak. Cherrypink had already told everyone that it was her time. Everyone cried at that time, and Sakura felt their grief.
The three royal children were each given time to say goodbye. First was Eriol, who came out with swollen eyes and a croaky voice. His light colored skin looked even paler, and his hair hung limply over his face.
Then it was Jenith's turn. The beautiful princess suddenly became a wreck. She had not paid attention to herself after Cherrypink's foretelling of the death. The boy called Yue was always there beside Jenith, Sakura mentally noted. And when Sakura heard that the princess collapsed during her audience with her dying mother, it was Yue who carried her out.
Sakura was able to see Syaoran come out of the queen's room. He was not crying, but he was wearing his usual frown, and glare. Somehow, inside her, Sakura knew he wanted to cry. She just did not know why he would not.
The last person the queen talked with was, of all people, Sakura. She was suddenly called in after Syaoran. The queen looked happy to see her. Sakura knelt beside the queen and they talked about her mother. What type of woman she grew up into, and what she did when she finally settled down with her father.
Sakura was the last person she talked to. Sakura could still remember what she said before she closed her eyes.
"Take care of Syaoran…"
After that, Yelan was gone. The three royal children stormed into the room, and wept over their mother. Sakura could only stare, tears rolling off her cheeks. It was like she was reliving the scene when her mother died.
She tried to find Syaoran, but she saw that he had suddenly disappeared. She looked out of the room, and saw a figure turn a corner and disappear.
present+
It was already half a month after Queen Yelan's death. Sakura had warmed up to Fantasya. She still missed her home, of course. But something about Fantasya was vaguely familiar to her.
She loved strolling about with Jenith and Tomoyo, who proved to be her best friends in the whole kingdom. Sometimes she would wonder if her father and brother were worrying about her still. She would think about it when she is alone, but never if she is with the others.
She has been to almost all the places in the kingdom, except the forbidden South and to Talla. She wanted to see the former of the two, but Jenith told her that it was a long way from Lunaea. Still, she yearned to see the place of the colorful sprites.
She sometimes contented herself with Senritsumon's stories about her home town. She said it was covered with wonderful forest that never loses its beauty and life. And the forests were separated into four groups: Sivul (spring), Ladas (autumn), Eynit (summer), and Ebeyin (winter).
Sakura was still quite uneasy around Syaoran. He seems gone for most of the day, and she could only see him in the afternoon and evening. 'Being king must require hard work,' she would whisper to herself.
Still, she found herself blushing whenever their eyes would meet. Beautiful amber would gaze into her deep emeralds. She tries to look away, but would only find herself once again stealing glances at him.
"Lady Sakura?"
Sakura looked up from what she was writing on her diary. She was keeping it to remember her magical days, and maybe to have proof if she ever returns home.
"Yes, Tomoyo-chan?"
"The princess has finally allowed you to go to the Talla. However, you shall have escorts which consist of me and Yamazaki, the leader of the soldiers."
"Really? I could go to the sprites' home? Oh! Wait till I tell Senritsumon and Lupinelightning! They'll be surprised!" With that she dashed out the door and ran to the gardens. Her two little friends were chasing each other, along with the beasts Keroberos and Spinel.
"Hey, guys! I'm finally going to see Talla! I can't wait!"
"Are you positive that you wish to travel there, Lady Sakura? It is quite distant," Senritsumon asked, fluttering toward her.
"Oh, she can bear with it!" Lupinelightning replied. (a/n(Xiao Lei): From this chap on, Lupinelightning will be a girl, k?) The little dragon flew over to her new master. Her powers were still interfered by some mystical power, but she was still hoping that her powers would return. "When are we leaving?"
"I'll ask Tomoyo-chan! I hope it's today!" Sakura ran off into the castle again, this time followed by her two little friends.
+later+
Yamazaki pulled the saddle around the horse's (it looked like a horse, so that was what Sakura called it) body and secured it. Then he helped Tomoyo and Sakura onto their horses and hoisted himself on his own.
"Talla is only west from here, but it might take us a couple of hours or so. Please stay with Lady Tomoyo and me at all times, Lady Sakura. The road may prove to be quite confusing," Yamazaki warned. Sakura nodded obediently.
"This would be interesting," she whispered to Senritsumon as they headed off.
Senritsumon entertained Sakura by telling her stories along the way. She told stories mostly about her hometown, the forest of Sivul, which was spring all year round. She also seemed very ecstatic to meet her friends there.
"Ah, Yamazaki-kun! Can we stop for a while? We're pretty thirsty. Is there someplace we can drink here?"
"There is a river over there," Yamazaki pointed to their right, "and if we enter that forest, we will soon find ourselves in Sivul."
"I remember that forest now!" Senritsumon squealed. They all turned right and rode into the forest. Sakura was thrilled once she saw Sivul. All the trees were full of life and blooming with different warm-colored flowers. Many animals were also roaming around the forest: big, small, with wings, name it.
"Wow! This place is great!" Sakura squealed. Unfortunately, she, Senritsumon and Lupinelightning were paying too much attention to their surroundings to notice that they had drifted away from her other companions. They were so far away when they finally found out.
"Er….Senritsumon? Where are we now?" Lupinelightning asked.
"Oh no! I do not believe I have been to these parts of the forest before. I do not know where we are right now…"
"H-h-hoe! We're lost? What are we going to do now?"
"Do not panic, Lady Sakura!"
"Yeah! Senritsumon and I will try to look for the others! Just stay here and we'll go back for you when we've found them."
Sakura nodded and watched her winged companions fly away. She dismounted her horse and decided to look around. Bad idea.
Sakura was quite paranoid about ghosts. Being left alone made it only worse.
"H-hoe…I hope they come back soon…I don't think there's anyone else around…uh…"
She suddenly shivered. She looked around for someone, or something to accompany her, and found none. She gulped nervously.
"H-hey, wait! D-don't go!" she yelled after who horse who suddenly ran off without warning. She tried to run after it, but she found that she further got herself lost. What's worse, she lost her horse and got her dress torn by the protruding thorns and branches. She burst into tears and shook with fear.
Suddenly, she heard a giggle.
Sakura turned around and saw some sprites that looked familiar to the ones who gave her a cloak that fateful chilly night. They were giggling at her again.
"Y-you guys…C-can you lead me out of here?"
They whispered to each other before nodding.
"P-please, I need to get out of here…"
The sprites flew up and pulled her up by the hand. Sakura's face lit up. She was grateful that these sprites came to her rescue again.
+moments later+
Sakura breathed a relieved sigh when they finally emerged form the forest. She thanked the sprites and went to the river bank. She knelt down and took off her shoes. Then she at down and dipped her feet into the river.
"Ah…that feels great. Thank you again," she said, turning to the silver sprites. They giggled for what felt like the thousandth time.
"Are you…with somebody else?"
They nodded.
"Who?"
The sprites gestured in an inviting manner and flew off. Sakura stood up and followed them, carrying her dainty shoes.
Sakura followed as they flew to a tree not so far away. They stopped every now and then to wait for her. "Who are you with?" she asked when they finally stopped. She caught a glimpse of a person sitting below the tree's shade, asleep. She went around the tree to take a closer look. She gasped.
Prince-or more exactly, King Syaoran.
He was deep in sleep, his head and back were resting against the trunk of the tree. He had taken off most of his royal clothes, and was merely wearing a simple green cape over a sleeveless high-collared black shirt and a pair of light gray trousers. A pair of black boots stood beside him. (a/n: Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle, anyone?) A pair of goggles was also around his neck.
'He looks so peaceful when he is asleep,' Sakura thought as she watched him sleep. She sat down beside him and, as if on cue, a slight breeze began to blow and Syaoran looked even more peaceful. The breeze toyed with his chestnut brown hair, and Sakura found herself blushing as he stared at his comely face. She slowly stretched out her right hand, attempting to touch his face, withdrawing every now and then. But when she did manage to touch him, the feel of his skin sent shivers down her arm. Shakily, she brushed away some of the bangs that covered his face.
"Hoe? He feels feverish…" She pressed her palm against his forehead and felt that his temperature was indeed hotter than ordinary. "It's probably because my hand's just cold. But still, just to be sure…" Sakura leaned in closer and pressed her forehead against his. "Yup he's-"
She stopped when she suddenly found how close they were. Sakura's face turned beet red at the prospect of a kiss, as her eyes trailed down to his lips.
'Sakura…'
Sakura broke away when she heard the voice. It was like a woman's, warm and very feminine.
"W-who was that?"
'My name is Luna, Sakura…'
"L-luna?"
'Yes. Please, help Syaoran…"
"Help him in what? How?"
'You are the only one who is able to help him. Look into his past so you may understand.'
"Wha-?"
Sakura had no time to ask when she suddenly found her surroundings changing. She tried to look around for the silver sprites, but they suddenly disappeared. Most of the trees also changed, and Syaoran was gone as well.
+in Syaoran's memory+
"H-hoe? Where am I?" Sakura asked as she looked around. Something told her that she was not where she was a while ago.
She looked at the river, and spotted a boy on the bank. He was wearing a pale green shirt with white lining and dark green pants. A pair of black shoes was at his side as he kicked the water with his bare feet.
Sakura approached him and sat beside him. "Uhm, excuse me boy, but just where are we?"
The boy turned to her and smiled. Something was vaguely familiar with that boy.
"In Talla, silly! Are you lost?"
"Well…let's just say something like that…I had this guy with me, and some sprites, but they dis-"
"Syaoran!" a voice shouted. Sakura turned around, and to her surprise, the boy did too.
"Father!" the boy yelled, scooping up his shoes and running off to the tree where the king was lying a while ago. Sakura saw a tall man, with chestnut brown hair and amber eyes. He was wearing a plain white shirt and blue trousers. He was strongly built, with firm limbs and chest. Sakura's jaw dropped when she saw how closely he resembled Syaoran.
The boy she was talking to a while ago jumped into the man's arms. "Father! I saw a girl there! She came, like Luna said she would!"
The father only laughed. "Oh really, Syaoran? I'd really like to meet her."
"Syaoran?" Sakura asked, "Could he be-?"
'He is the same Syaoran you know, Sakura.'
Sakura turned around and came face to face with a woman with long silver blue hair that flowed down to the ground, and deep blue eyes (her eyes were completely blue, without the white parts). She was wearing a long silver silk gown, which was flowing like the wind.
"W-who are you?"
'Syaoran knows me as Luna. To others I am simply the spirit of the stone of the Moon.' Luna spoke without even opening her mouth as if by telepathy.
"Then, you must be the one who was calling me a while ago! Did you bring me here?"
'Yes. But it is also through Syaoran's cooperation that I was able to.'
"Then that boy is Syaoran? Who is that man then?"
'He is known as Rishao, once a soldier. He is a lover of Queen Yelan, but the law forbade them to be wed.'
"How come?"
'Queen Yelan was already betrothed to a man of royal descent. His name is Clow Reed, the father of Prince Eriol and Princess Jenith. And the law states that they were betrothed by Bathala. But she truly loved Rishao, and Syaoran is the fruit of that love.'
Sakura looked at the happy father and son, and felt a pang in her heart. "Poor Syaoran…He must take that quite hard."
'Syaoran never knew that he was the queen's son until this fateful day. Rishao had kept him without knowing his true mother. For five years it has been believed that Jenith would ascened the throne, for the law states that the second child will be the heir to the throne.'
"But how did they know about Syaoran?"
'Clow Reed had a sister, Candifor, the guardian of the holy stones. She knew about the heir through my intercession, and Cherypink, the queen's younger sister and right hand, foretold of this incident.'
"Luna! Maiden!" Their conversation was suddenly cut short when the young Syaoran ran to them and tugged at Luna's gown. "Father does not believe me! Show yourself to him, Luna! And you too, lady!" he demanded, turning to Sakura.
Sakura smiled and turned to Rishao. She waved, but he did not seem to notice her.
'That is quite useless, Sakura. Only Syaoran could see us.'
"That is unfair, Luna! All my playmates are calling me an idiot because they say you do not exist! But how come I can see you?"
'Because, young one, Sakura and I exist inside you. We do not exist outside your mind. So you are the only one who may see the two of us.'
Syaoran furrowed a brow when he turned to Sakura. "Her name is Sakura? I am honored to meet you, Lady Sakura," he greeted, bowing down.
"Eh…So am I, Syaoran."
They suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves headed their way. Rishao looked behind him and suddenly scooped his son up. Then he hid Syaoran in the bushes, whispering to him to stay put.
A group of soldiers were headed their way. Rishao stood before the bush Syaoran was hiding in and look quite worried.
One of the soldiers alighted from his horse. He was pretty tall, and he reminded Sakura of Yamazaki.
"Rishao, we are here to take your son," the man demanded.
"He is not here. And what would you want with my son?"
"You know well why. He is the queen's second child. He is the future ruler of Fantasya and the holder of the stone of the Moon. We need him."
"But I need hi as well. I quit the army so that we could have a peaceful life away from such controversies."
"But the boy was born with the mark of the moon on his neck. We could not have Jenith as the ruler, for what surfaced on her neck was the mark of the star. We do not ask your son from you. We demand you give him to us."
"And how about Syaoran? Does he have a choice? He may not want to be king."
The soldier sighed. "The boy is not asked. He is required by the law. If he does not take up the throne, he will be perpetually haunted by his decision. So I suggest that you hand him over this instant."
"Forgive me, but I cannot do that."
"Then prepare to battle, Rishao, for even if you are our past leader, we shall grant you no mercy."
"I ask none from you."
A battle ensued after that. Even without weaponless at the start, Rishao brought down the other guards easily. They did not stand a chance. He somehow acquired a blade from one of them and used it to battle. It was obvious who the winner would be.
The last ones standing were Rishao and the soldier he talked with. They circled each other and clashed their blades, but in the end, Rishao sent the soldier to his knees, the sword inches away from his neck.
"My son is not here, Takano. He will never join you, because he is happy enough to be with me. And if you do find him, it would be hard to catch him, like catching a wind sprite."
Suddenly, someone hit Rishao on the neck. The man fell to his knees. Two soldiers held his arms behind his back, and Takano held his sword against Rishao's neck.
"You may be right, Rishao. It would be impossible to catch something as fast as a wind sprite. But it would be much easier if we put out bait." Then he yelled out as his soldiers stood up, one by one, "Prince Syaoran! We have your father! If you do not show yourself, we will be forced to take him back to the palace, where he will be put on trial for treason!"
Rishao tried to free himself from the two soldiers and yelled out, "Run, Syaoran! Forget about me! You should choose your own path! You should be free! You do not have to follow everything they have to say!"
Takano smirked. "If Syaoran would not appear, then we would execute you right here and now, Rishao." He raised his sword and stroke.
"Stop!"
Syaoran jumped out of the bushes and picked up one of the scattered swords. He stood before the other soldiers, in a fighting stance. (a/n: You know how Syaoran poses in CCS? He pulls back his sword and rests the tip on his other finger?)
"What do you know? The wind sprite caught the bait! Get him!"
All the soldiers charged at young Syaoran, but he avoided them and hit them successfully. He was as agile as a wolf, and no less fierce. He immediately freed his father by kicking those holding him and pushed the blade out of Takano's hands.
"Fierce young man you have trained him to be, Rishao. He will make a great ruler someday."
"I shall only wish to go with you if my father would want me to," he spat at the older man. Syaoran pointed the sword at Takano's neck, and he surrendered.
"I see the young heir had taken up much of your time, Takano," a voice said. A man dressed in royal robes came out. He had long black hair and dark eyes, and wore a pair of glasses.
"King Clow Reed!" Takano exclaimed and he fell to his knees.
Clow Reed approached the young boy, who now pointed the sword at his throat, protectively standing before his father. "So this is the young heir. He has a striking resemblance to you, Rishao."
"If you are here to take me as well, then is shall not hesitate to hurt you as well."
Clow Reed laughed at the little boy's threat. "Do not be bothered by my presence, young one. I know that you will not be pleased if I try to take you away. I only wish to test your skills. That is, if you would allow me."
"I accept your challenge!" Syaoran lunged forward to stab him, but Clow Reed blocked it with one hand.
To Sakura, it was an unusual sight to see such a young boy carrying a big sword and fighting with it. What was more interesting was that he managed to bring down soldiers who were quite skilled with it.
Syaoran tried another attack and failed again when Clow Reed evaded it. Syaoran fell to the ground. The boy stood up again and brushed the dirt off his face. He attacked again, but Clow Reed grabbed the tip of the sword and pulled it away from the boy's hands.
"Quite the swordsman, like your father. But you must also know how to use your powers, for that is something the heirs of the moon are well known for."
"I do not have any powers!" Syaoran yelled. "I am only a normal fairy, and I am not what you think I am! Leave us alone!"
Clow Reed made a couple of sharp needles appear. "You will be the judge of that. Here!" He threw the needles at Syaoran, who tried to use his arms as a shield. The needles simply passed through him like he was intangible.
"Takano! We shall take our leave. The boy shall join us when he is ready."
"Yes, your highness."
Clow Reed and his soldiers mounted their horses. But before they left, Clow Reed looked at the startled boy, who was staring at his hands. "That is only a taste of what your powers will be able to do, young one. Think hard of what you would want to make use of it."
Syaoran gulped, and then he stood up, facing the king with shaking fists. "My father is all I have. I would make use of my powers in what way he sees best. But I will remain with my father."
"Suit yourself. But the castle doors will always be open for you." And with that he and the soldiers rode off. When they were gone, Syaoran ran to his father and helped him up, putting his arm around his neck and helping him off to their house.
"So Syaoran grew up in this place? Not in the palace?" Sakura asked when everyone had gone.
'He grew up in a humble home, which is why he was not fully aware of his powers. He did not even know he had such mystical abilities. He only discovered them one day, which you will see as well.'
Luna waved her hand and the surroundings changed again. This time, it was in the land of the Elves, where the battle of the Faeries and Goblins happened. Sakura found herself right in the middle of another battle, between the combined forces of the Faeries and Elves, and the Goblins. She was beside a tree that held some sort of portal. It was the portal of dimensions, but she was never informed of that.
"Where are we?"
'The fateful day when Syaoran's life changed. This is the battle between the goblins, where he lost everything.'
"Kyaahhh!"
Sakura turned around and saw Syaoran' slightly older than a while ago. About seven or so. He was wearing armor similar to what she saw him wear when she first saw him. He was also carrying his almost transparent sword. He stabbed one of the goblins who was about to attack his father.
There were only two of them, and Sakura could see the other soldiers far away. And yet, even if they were only two, they managed to beat many of the goblin soldiers. More were still coming. But they easily brought all of them down.
"You have grown into a great warrior, my son. I am proud of you."
"Thank you, father."
"Now let us return to the-argh!" Rishao suddenly yelped in pain as something hit him on the back. He pulled it out.
A shuriken.
"It looks like you are having a sentimental moment, Rishao. Would you mind if I intervene?"
An eighteen year old Agate stepped out of the shadows. She was almost the same with her future counterpart, same black hair and eyes, only her hair was shorter.
Both father and son were alerted and took on their fighting stance. But Rishao looked feverish.
"Father! What is the matter?"
"Oh, it is only because my shuriken held some poison, young prince. Your father will be paralyzed in moments."
"Curse you!" Syaoran charged at her, but she only avoided him and then hit him on the back of his neck with the hilt of her sword. He fell unconscious; his eyes still open, but his amber pupils gone.
With the young one taken care of, Agate walked over to the struggling soldier. Rishao was already on his knees, struggling to breathe. "Faalmada (goodbye)Rishao." She pulled back her sword and thrust it into his chest.
"F-father!" She turned around and saw Syaoran struggling to stand up, crying. He clutched his sword and charged at her, but she only pushed him, making him land on his father's dead body.
"Insolent little brat! You may be the next ruler, but that does not mean I can play a trick on you." Her hands glowed as she placed them on Syaoran's back.
"From now on, your words will all be cut short. Remember this day, seventh hour of the seventh day of the seventh month, for from now one, your emotions shall be sealed, and only someone from beyond the threshold would be able to save you."
Suddenly, Syaoran yelled, as if she was burning him. He almost collapsed when she stopped. "A-agate, y-you heartless monster! I-I swear I-"
Syaoran suddenly lost his voice. He spoke out again, but no words came out. And the sadness in his face slowly faded away. And now Sakura was sure this was the Syaoran she knew. He could only glare at Agate, who laughed out loud.
"You pathetic little child! You could not even cry for your father! That is what someone as weak as you should deserve."
Syaoran curled into a ball, clutching his stomach in pain. He was screaming without a voice. Suddenly, his eyes shone bright silver and he began to change form.
"H-hoe," Sakura muttered as she watched the young boy change. He stood on his four limbs, and then he gave out a growl.
A very inhuman growl.
Syaoran had transformed into a wolf.
Agate stepped back in surprise. "What the-! That is not possible! He should not be able to transform until he has fused with the stone of the Moon!"
The wolf-Syaoran circled around her still growling. He pounced at her and lashed across her back with his sharp claws. Agate pushed him away with her sword, yelping in pain. The wolf hit one of the trees hard, and fell to the ground. Agate dragged herself away, clutching her back. She raised her hand and suddenly disappeared in a wisp of smoke.
"Syaoran? Syaoran!" Sakura ran to the boy. He had just transformed back into his human form. He was coughing and spitting out blood. Sakura turned him over and let him face her.
'Father…Help my father…I beg you…'
"W-what?" Sakura could not believe it. She was hearing his thoughts!
'My father…help him…Do not let him die…' With that he fell unconscious.
"W-what can I do?"
'Nothing, Sakura. This was his fate. Rishao was destined to be taken away from him. Now that you have witnessed Syaoran's history, I shall return you to your own time.'
Sakura found her surroundings changing again. This time, it was the familiar forest she was in moments ago.
+present+
Sakura suddenly woke up. She did not know that she had fallen asleep. She was leaning against the tree where Syaoran was a while ago. She looked beside her, but he was gone.
"Hihihihihi!" But the sprites were still there, fluttering around her and giggling.
"H-hi! Did you guys see where Syaoran went?" she asked. They nodded. "Where?" The sprites pointed to behind her, and she turned around.
She shivered when she saw a pair of cold amber eyes staring at her. "E-eh…hello, y-your h-highness."
She inched away from him, biting her lip. The sprites flew away from her and surrounded him.
'Hn! Such an impertinent girl! She did not even bother respecting my privacy.'
Sakura was suddenly angered by the comment. She stood up and pointed her finger at him. "Hey, mister! You might be the king, but that doesn't mean you could just everyone just like that! I felt sorry for what happened to you, but that doesn't mean you have to let your past haunt you all your life!"
She suddenly realized what she said and covered her mouth. Syaoran showed slight surprise in his eyes as well.
"D-d-did I just say that? A-and did I just hear his thoughts?"
'Did she just hear my thoughts?'
The two stared at each other in shock.
+later+
Sakura and Syaoran sat at the river bank while the sprites fluttered all around them. Sakura had just discovered that she could hear Syaoran's thoughts after being in his mind. Luna also told Syaoran about her taking a look into his past.
"C-can anybody else do what I am doing? Reading your thoughts, I mean…"
'Before, only Luna could actually read my thoughts. But then Luna gave her abilities to my family and Senritsumon without them even knowing. Luna must have done the same with you. However, you are the only one I could fully converse with.'
"Oh…Listen, Syaoran…I-I…I'm really sorry…about what happened to your dad…"
Syaoran glanced at her, and she blushed and turned away. 'I am somehow relieved that someone knows about my past other than me. I just do not understand why Luna chose you, when she could have told my mother, Eriol or Jenith.'
Sakura felt a pang in her heart when he said that. She rolled her eyes and stared at the river. "Your voice is nice to hear, though. But, how come you say you can only talk to me? You could talk with the others too, right?"
'Have you ever seen us talk as much as this?'
Sakura shook her head. He was right. She had never seen them talk as much as this. Usually the people he mentioned were only there as interpreters for those who could not understand him. He never "conversed" as much as this with one person.
"B-but why…can you talk like this to me?"
'There is some sort of strong link between us. I do not need to focus just to talk to you. It is like…I am simply speaking with you. Usually, a great deal of focus is needed in order for me to relay any information to anyone.'
Sakura smiled absent-mindedly. She was glad that she could now talk to the prince. "Uhm…how can you leave the castle just like this? Surely someone should be with you?"
Syaoran looked at her. 'You already saw my past. I could transform into a wolf, and I use that form to go here. No one would notice. Why are you here, anyway?'
"Ah…I was supposed to be with Yamazaki and Tomoyo-chan. But I somehow lost my way and…"
Syaoran stood up. 'Let us go. I shall take you to them.'
"H-hoe?"
Syaoran's body shone and he transformed into a wolf again. He stared at Sakura. 'I wonder if she could still read my thoughts…'
"I can," Sakura replied.
'That is new. No one has ever read my thoughts as a wolf before. I wonder how much of Luna's abilities you truly possess. Now, get on. I could hear Tomoyo's voice calling you. And I would really appreciate if you do not tell anyone about what occurred here.'
"Alright, I won't. But are you sure you can carry me? I really don't think this is proper for a king…"
'Do not think of me as a king right now. Right now I am only Rishao's son.'
Sakura nodded and sat down on his back. She held on tight as Syaoran jumped up and started to run. He was very fast, but Sakura mysteriously did not fall off.
'So he is kind under that exterior…' Sakura thought, blushing pink.
'We have arrived, Lady Sakura.'
Sakura looked up and saw Tomoyo and Yamazaki in the distance. "Thank you," she whispered as she got off his back. The wolf nodded and ran off. She smiled as she watched him disappear.
"Lady Sakura!" Tomoyo and Yamazaki, along with Senritsumon and Lupinelightning, rushed to her side.
"Ah, hello, everyone!"
"Your dress is ruined! And where is you horse?"
"Are you hurt?"
"Did anything attack you?"
"Did something bad happen to you?"
Sakura shook her head. "No, I'm fine. Thanks to a new friend of mine."
Tomoyo raised a brow. "A new friend? Who is that?"
Sakura only smiled. "Let's just say a certain wolf helped me out of the forest."
+Wakas+
Lenny: Yuck! Too much mushy S+S!
Xiao Lei That's what you get when you put Xiu Ying in front of the computer without any of the boys!
Jezareth: Eh…you see, guys, Xiu Ying did most of this chapter, while the boys were running some errands. She's asleep right now coz' she finished this chapter by cramming all night.
Robin: Syaoran's sudden OOC-ness is something significant in the story, so it was not put in this chap for nothing. And by now everybody should now why Syaoran hates Agate so much and what happened in his past.
Xiao Lei: Please look out for the next chap again, ok? We are so honored that some of our readers have even put us on story alert!
Seventh Faythes: Arigatou Gozaimasu!
Preview:
Syaoran and Sakura are slowly getting close, without them even knowing. Uncontrollable heartbeats, beet red faces, and stolen glances. What more is needed to tell what's happening?
R & R