Camping

By: Biancajewel

Chapter 7: Who wants to go swimming?

"It is time," she said, and Sakura slowly walked forward. Her legs were shaky, and Syaoran was looking at her worriedly.

Sakura looked back at Kero, Syaoran, Tomoyo, and Eriol, and mouthed sadly, "I'm sorry, but I have to."

"H-he…" Sakura choked on the words as she meekly handed it over.

Akina smiled, and shook her head. "No," she said firmly, and shoved it back to Sakura.

"What?" everyone was surprised.

"B-but," stammered Sakura.

"You passed the test," replied Akina with a smile. "I'm not taking those cards. You worked hard. Why should I take it?" She winked, and Eriol smiled. Then, she said, "Till we meet again!" and she disappeared.

"W-well, I don't think that was quite a test," said Sakura.

"Yes, it was," replied Eriol, smiling, "It was a test. A test of either giving it up or taking the even worse." So he did know about this all along!

"How did you know Akina?" asked Tomoyo.

"We met a long time ago," said Eriol, smiling even more. "The time when I was still Clow Reed."

"So… ghosts and spirits never die?" asked Kero.

"That's right," said Eriol.

"Good thing you didn't loose your cards, Sakura," teased Kero.

"Kero…" Sakura was angry.

"Jeez, I was just kidding, 'cuz if you lost all the cards, I wouldn't be able to turn into Cerberus, would I? Or Yukito."

"That was so scary," said Sakura, shivering, "I mean, I really thought that…" her voice trialed off. "I really thought that Akina was going to take Syaoran away from me forever," she thought.

A few days later…

Sakura was lying on her bed with a book in her hand. It was a hot afternoon, and the days seemed to get more boring. Tomoyo was fiddling with her camera, complaining that she didn't film the 'kawaii' Sakura when she was in her dress.

"Hey, Sakura?" Tomoyo was looking up now. "You wanna go swimming?"

"Mmmhnn," muttered Sakura. She was lost in her book.

"It's plenty hot, isn't it?" asked Tomoyo.

"Hmm… maybe."

"You wanna go swimming in the lake?"

"Um… I dunno."

"Well, let's go, then! Go get your towel and swimming suit," directed Tomoyo, jumping up.

Sakura was soon in her swimming suit. It was a one piece one, and the color was dark blue with the words Sport on the side, snaking its way down. Tomoyo's swimming suit was kind of the same as Sakura's, except hers was kind of like a dress kind.

Sakura took her towel, goggles, and slipped her feet into flip-flops. Chiharu, Naoko, Rika, and Nakuru were all going. The boys (you should all know) did not want to see the girls in swimming suits, so, they didn't go.

Sakura dropped her towel on an outspread blanket, took off her flip-flops, and ran into the water. The water was cold, and she shivered, but she enjoyed it while the sun was beating down on her face and hair. She dived in the water. Curiously, she could see through the lake really clearly. Sakura looked up at the sparkling surface, and decided it was time to go up and take some air. So, she kicked her legs and swam up to the surface.

"Huh?" she thought. "Why can't I reach the top?" She kicked harder, but the surface seemed centimeters away. "Can't… breathe," she thought, and her chest went tight.

"Hey," Tomoyo looked up. She was sitting on the outspread blanket, with Nakuru by her side. Rika and Chiharu were playing ball. Naoko was also sitting on the blanket. She was reading her book.

"What?" asked Nakuru, grinning from ear to ear.

"Sakura dived in the water… why isn't she coming back up for air?"

"Dunno," Nakuru shrugged. "You wanna go check?"

"Ok," agreed Tomyo nervously. They both stood up, and walked into the lake. They walked even deeper, until the water came up to their waists.

"I… need… air," moaned Sakura. Her lungs were about to explode. No matter how hard she kicked and tried to get to the surface, it always jumped away from her. "Legs?" she thought.

Suddenly, she saw Tomyo's face. An arm reached in, and Sakura grabbed it. Mysteriously, she got to the top. She gasped as air flowed into her nose and mouth.

"Can you swim?" asked Nakuru and Tomoyo at the same time.

"Yes," replied Sakura meekly. "But the surface wouldn't let me out."

"What do you mean?" asked Tomoyo, puzzled.

"You see," began Sakura, "I dived into the water, then I wanted to go and get some air. But I somehow couldn't reach the top, so, I was stuck down there." She pointed down, and grinned.

"Really?" asked Tomoyo, surprised. "Try again."

"You're crazy?" said Sakura. "I almost died down there!"

"I'm here to help you," said Tomoyo, smiling.

"Okay," muttered Sakura, and she dived in the water. She stood there for a while, and decided it was time. She couldn't come out. When Tomoyo's arm came to help, it didn't work.

"Whoops," said Tomoyo.

"I need…air!" gasped Sakura. She struggled and thought, "I got and idea!" she tried to take out the wand, but to her disappointment, it wasn't there.

"Card," she thought, "Show me your identity!" Then, slowly, a form appeared. The skin was blue, and it looked like The Water.

"I thought I caught you already!" exclaimed Sakura, surprised.

It smiled. "I am the exact replica of The Water," it said. "Master created me, right after all the Clow Cards turned into Sakura Cards. Master will be happy once I get you, Miss Sakura."

"What?" asked Sakura, dumfounded.

"In a few moments, you will lose all of your air," replied Watery. "Then I will take you to my master."

"Uh-oh," thought Sakura, "Double Trouble."

Tomoyo looked worried. Sakura was not coming up, nor grasping her hand. She looked down, and saw her standing there. (You may think it's weird, but they are actually really deep. Tomoyo is treading water so she can float. So is Nakuru.)

"Nakuru," said Tomoyo.

"Yes?"

"Go get all the boys. At once, and be quick."

"Okay," yelled Nakuru, and she swam off.

"I…" Sakura's chest was so tight. "I…"

"You'll never reach the top," said Watery, smiling.

"Who… is your… master?" asked Sakura.

"I thought you'd never ask," replied Watery, smiling.

"Who?" demanded Sakura.

"Syaoran Li."

Sakura almost fainted. Was that true? Was Syaoran really this Watery's master?

"Y-you're lying," moaned Sakura.

"No, I'm not."

Syaoran, Eriol, Yukito, and Touya soon were all in their swimming trunks, and they were running into the water.

Syaoran was first to reach there. "Where is she?" he asked.

Tomoyo pointed, and Syaoran dived in.

"Looks like we have a visitor." Watery smiled.

Sakura almost died when she saw Syaoran.

"Help me," she murmured.

Syaoran swam up to Sakura, grabbed her by the waist, and swam up. Luckily, he reached to top. Touya soon was swimming over.

"Step aside, brat," he yelled. He picked up Sakura, and carried her towards the outspread blanket.

When he lay her down, she gasped then shuddered. Water came out of her mouth and nose.

"Yuck," said Touya, grinning. Sakura gasped then forced a scowl.

Later that night…

"Syaoran? San I talk to you for a moment?"

"Uh… sure."

When she pulled him aside, she hissed, "Tell me what's going on."

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play, Syaoran. I met this 'replica' of Watery, and it said its master was you."

"Me?" asked Syaoran, looking puzzled. "Me?"

"Yes, you."

"It's lying," said Syaoran, shaking his head, "I can't create replicas!"

"Oh, really?" Sakura raised her eyebrow.

"I'm speaking the truth, honest," protested Syaoran angrily.

Sakura didn't believe him. Not one bit.

"I don't believe you. You're lying," said Sakura and she stalked off, leaving Syaoran speechless.

Biancajewel: Whoever can answer this question will be in the next chapter! Deadline is… uh… as soon as I write the next one, which is, like, about tomorrow. So, be quick! Okay, here it goes:

Do you really think Syaoran is the master of that replica of Watery?

A. yes B. no

Whoever with the closest answer will win! Please R&R. Thank you sooo much, candy44 and animeluver911! Are you willing to answer this question? Think about it! Anyone?