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Chapter 5: In This World

disclaimer: I do not own Tsubasa. Cardcaptor Sakura. Magic Knight Rayearth. and xxxHolic.

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"Expecting us?" Syaoran asked, becoming more protective of Sakura with each second that went by in this world. First impressions were normally very important. They were attacked by an enchanted woman, who was turned into a card by a boy who claimed he knew they were coming. It wasn't a very trustworthy impression.

Eriol nodded his head yes, and continued to smile. "Yes, I had tried my best to contain the magic in this area before you arrived, however..." His voice grew softer and unsure until he spoke no more.

The travelers watched Eriol eagerly, waiting for him to continue. There was a brief, dramatic pause when suddenly..

Another wind began to pick up, and the child magician's eyes traced back to where the wind had come from. "I believe we should head somewhere inside. I will explain to you then." Eriol said finally, giving the travelers a small smile before turning to Keroberos. "Keroberos, would you carry Sakura-chan for our guests?" The winged cat bowed his head respectfully, heading towards the princess.

"That won't be necessary." Syaoran replied, picking up Sakura.

Eriol chuckled, and raised a hand to Keroberos, saying all that had to be said without saying so. Keroberos still remained next to Syaoran.

"Boy, do you think it's wise to carry her after your encounter with the Fight?" Yue asked, speaking for the first time since they met. "What if you were to--"

"Ah, Yue, let the boy have his way." Keroberos chuckled.

"Very well, Syaoran-kun. But please, if you get tired, let Keroberos carry her a bit." Eriol insisted. "Now then, seeing how you have no where to go, you can come to my place."

"...Eriol," Yue began, frowning a bit at saying the boy's name. "Then how shall we get to the manor? I doubt these people can use magic."

Eriol paused, giving Syaoran a confused look. "You can't use magic?" He asked them.

The travelers shook their heads no. "Once, but no more." Fye replied good naturedly.

"Ahaha. I see, you will have to forgive me. I forget...that you are not the same.." Eriol laughed pleasantly. Fye and Syaoran said something along the lines of, 'that's okay' and Kurogane made an annoyed growl.

"Then, how will we be able to get to your home?" Syaoran asked, still holding Sakura. He was surprised...at how much lighter she seemed. He must have grown stronger over their travels...He had no idea he had grown stronger in so many other ways.

Eriol looked...seemingly thoughtful for a moment. "Its nothing Mokona can't solve." Eriol replied brightly, and at that very moment, as if he had given Mokona a signal. The giant pudgeball opened its mouth wider and wider. Wings grew from his back...and seconds later they found themselves inside a very...noble looking house.

"Phweeet! You live here?" Fye asked. It was much smaller then the castle, but it didn't change the fact that he was surprised.

Kurogane was also a bit surprised, but he didn't act it. This place was...huge.

"Is Kuro-Rin surprised too?" Fye teased.

"Shut it." Kurogane hissed.

"You can lay Sakura-chan down, here." Eriol said, motioning towards a scarlet colored sofa which had been laid out conveniently near Syaoran. Come to think of it, was that sofa there when they first arrived?

Taking Eriol up on his offer, Syaoran laid the princess to rest on the sofa. Shortly afterwards, Eriol had pulled out some equally wonderful chairs for them.

"Now, you were saying something? About oh...expecting us?" Fye asked in a pleasant tone.

Eriol was laying out some tea for the travelers, when he looked up at Fye and smiled, knowing that he was expecting an explanation. It would be rude not to. And he believed Kurogane-san would separate his head from his neck if he didn't tell them how he knew...But like he would ever let Kurogane do that to him...Yue and Keroberos would probably turn the ninja inside out if he tried...

Kurogane glared at his tea cup, as if it was poisoned AND would sprout fangs and try to devour him. He then twitched, his glare turning to Eriol. That kid...was thinking about something..

"Kuro-Chu's got the hots!" Mokona teased, jumping up and down on the ninja's head. Kurogane replied by grabbing the thing by its ears and trying to see how far he could stretch the thing. "Ahahaha! Mokona is stretchy like a balloon!" Mokona exclaimed.

"Ah, yes." Eriol said thoughtfully, pulling up a chair for himself. "Hmm..How do you think I know?" He asked, almost teasingly.

Fye smiled a bit, taking a sip from his tea. "Ah! This is good!" He exclaimed, smiling brightly. But he quickly returned to a slightly more serious mood. "Hmm, well, I'm not exactly sure..." Fye said dreamily. "At first I thought, maybe Mokona had run into you by coincidence and told you about us." Fye was referring to the fact that Mokona had disappeared and reappeared with Eriol.

Syaoran continued to watch Eriol carefully. Eriol...had a strange air around him. It was hard to explain. Almost as if...Eriol was too trustful to trust. He frowned a bit at the irony in this sentence.

Eriol didn't react to Fye's sentence right away. He seemed to be in deep thought. "In this world, there is no coincidence." He said absent mindedly. "In this world, we have only hitsuzen." He chuckled a bit at the stunned looks he received.

Yuko, had used the same word! Did Eriol...--?

"MOKONA SENCES A FEATHER!" Mokona chirped, growing huge and opening his eyes large and wide.

Eriol continued to smile at Mokona's drastic size change.

Syaoran jumped to his feet. "A feather?" He asked, he wanted to make sure it wasn't one of Mokona's annoying tricks. "Are you sure?"

"Mokona is sure! It is very far...but very powerful." Mokona replied, returning to regular size.

"Let's go!" Syaoran exclaimed, but he didn't have to say it twice. Kurogane and Fye were already on their feet. "Ah, Sakura..." He said quickly, remembering that Sakura was still unconscious.

"Go on." Eriol insisted, watching the three with mild interest. "I will watch over Sakura-chan until you return. Ah...but first." Eriol added. Three magic circles appeared in the air, glowing a faint golden color. The image of a sun and moon was seen. The circles grew brighter, and brighter, until they seemingly shot towards Syaoran, Fye, and Kurogane like they had been fired by a gun.

Syaoran stepped back, wondering what had happened. "...!" Before he could speak, Eriol spoke up.

"As long as you are in this world, I will lend you each a bit of my magic." Eriol said calmly. "Keroberos and Yue will accompany you...like escorts."

"But...why?" Syaoran asked, surprised at everything Eriol had done for them so far. He had saved them from 'the Fight', allowed them to stay at his home, and now he was lending them his magic and his friends? He had been to many worlds, but never, had he met someone so eager to give so much to them.

Eriol smiled a bit at Syaoran, his blue eyes set on Syaoran's. A universe all on its own existed behind his azure colored eyes. And Syaoran felt as though he was drowning with in them. Eriol, possessed wisdom far beyond his years, and was clearly not telling them everything he knew.

"Because, you are my guests." Eriol replied simply. "Now hurry before you miss this feather you're chasing." Eriol added, as another magic circle appeared beneath them. Yue and Keroberos took this as a signal to head next to Syaoran.

"This is...the same sorcery Tomoyo-hime used!" Kurogane yelled, realizing this form of magic as the magic that sent him flying to that damn space witch. "Where the hell are you sending us too?" He yelled, getting a bit paranoid.

"Ahaha. Kuro-tan, relax!" Fye said teasingly.

"Like hell!"

"Aww, Kuro-nee is mad!"

"Shut up! And we are NOT related!"

"Ahaha!"

"..." And soon the voices were gone.

And now, Eriol was alone with Sakura and Mokona. "Heheh. Well done, Mokona."

"Hmm. Good timing is another one of Mokona's 108 secret techniques!" Mokona chirped, drinking from Kurogane's untouched tea cup. Was it a good thing for Mokona to have more caffeine?

"Of course, of course." Eriol replied, nodding his head sagely. He summoned a blanket for Sakura, brushed aside bits of hair from Sakura's mouth.

"Of course you would know! After all, Clow made Mokona!"

"But we won't have to let them know yet," Eriol whispered. He kneeled down so he would be leveled with Mokona.

Mokona looked up, a look of pure, confused, innocence on his face. "Keeping secrets is another one of Mokona's 108 secret techniques, too!" Mokona chirped.

A twisted smile formed on Eriol's face, it was the best smile he could manage at the moment. Raising his index finger to his lips, in a shh-ing manner, Eriol's twisted smiled turned into one of cunning. "Yes, it will be our secret."

In this world...we have only, hitsuzen.