Chapter 6: The Week before Sakura's Birthday
Lil LoveStar: Hey everyone, how have you been? Good, well this is the 6th chapter of my story. Oh and the week will only be like four days, according to the 2004 calendar just to tell you.
Sakura: My birthday is coming up!
Kalvin: So much is going to happen.
Meiling: I'm going to kill her before her before birthday.
Syaoran: Her birthday will be one to remember.
Lil LoveStar: Yes and I've decided to put Kero and Showron in my story after all
Kero Showron: YEAH
At dusk Sakura was serving her brother, her father, Eli and Kalvin dinner. As they were eating Kalvin said, "You know that your birthday is in a week Sakura."
"Oh I know that. But what's the big deal?" She asked with a negative attitude.
"You're going to be seventeen Sakura, you should be happy." Aiden smiled. Sakura thought about what her father said, maybe she should be happy but she had a weird feeling about her upcoming birthday. Maybe she was wrong and her birthday would be fun and she would be happy. But what Sakura didn't know was that her seventeenth birthday would mark the beginning of her life unfolding before her. Many things were to happen before and after her birthday, things that Sakura would never expect.
Monday
Monday morning Sakura woke up like she always did and looked out the window, the sun was rising off in the horizon she opened her window and breathed in the morning air, loving it. She got cleaned up and dressed, she went downstairs to clean up and make her brother and father breakfast, and she had her own breakfast and left so she could get to school early.
At school Sakura got her morning work done and anything else that her teacher hadn't done. Finishing up she took a trip to the roof and watched the sun and the town under it. "I'll never understand why you always want to be so punctual." Syaoran smiled as he floated in the air before landing behind her.
"The answer to that would be the same answer to why you insist on being around me." Sakura said turning to him. He looked at her in bewilderment, who knew that she could be so clever. Well then again he did know; he's seen it.
"Very well Avalon. You of course think you have the answers to everything."
"Then you should tip your hat to me then." Sakura countered. Syaoran bowed in not only a mock but in respect. He walked up to her and whispered into her ear, "I won't only tip my hat to you, remember that." He turned and left her.
Classes went as normal as ever and so did Sakura's practice at cheerleading, nothing out of the ordinary happened. At least not until Sakura was walking home; as she walked home she noticed that something was falling down in the sky. She looked and felt something cold hit her, like snow; she held her hand out and a snowflake fell in her hand but there was something different about it, it was pink. 'Pink snow?' Sakura looking in the sky again, indeed pink snow was falling from the clear sky.
"This is one of your presents Sakura." Yue's voice said in the wind. Sakura looked at the snow and smiled, Eli and Kalvin must have helped him do this, it was truly beautiful and she smiled the rest of her way home.
Tuesday
All day Tuesday seemed to be normal, except Meiling challenged Sakura to a sword fight, which she won. Darius also challenged her but she beat him with her Freeze Card easily.
"Looks like they want to get on your nerves before your birthday." Syaoran said as he was leaning against a tree after Sakura froze Darius.
"I guess so, are you going to fight me as well?" Sakura asked looking at him.
"Oh no, I wouldn't dare fight you now, not when your powers are growing with your birthday coming." Syaoran joked. "But I would like to spend sometime with you."
"I suppose you can, I'm going home soon, you can walk me." Sakura said. She let Darius out of the ice and finished up on her afternoon work before grabbing her books and starting home with Syaoran. Syaoran stayed at Sakura's house for dinner and desert, much to her brother's grumbling. Both Sakura and Syaoran went onto her front to escape her brother and to look at the stars that were out on the clear night. As they looked they saw the moon come out but it wasn't any ordinary moon this evening, the moon was blue, and it was very large. Sakura gasped as she and Syaoran heard Kalvin say happy birthday to her.
"Wow they're really giving you something to remember." Syaoran said looking at the moon. Sakura looked at him; she examined his features from a side and she couldn't help but kiss him on the cheek. She didn't understand why she did it but she just felt that it was right. As she kissed his cheek Syaoran's eyes widened and he looked at her in a sort of disbelief. Sakura looked at him with a slight daze and her cheeks were light with a blush. Syaoran's eyes softened and he lowered his head to catch Sakura's lips with his. Sakura's eyes widened and her cheeks turned to a darker hue of pink. She closed her eyes and put her arms around his neck and got into the kiss. Syaoran put his arms around her waist and moved her closer to him. They deepened the kiss in front of the blue moon.
Wednesday
Wednesday morning was a cool and cloudy and part of Sakura's day was normal until her music teacher and principal called her an hour before her music class.
"You wanted me Ms. Errol…and principal Awayuki?" Sakura asked walking into the principal's office.
"Sakura, I have a huge favor to ask you." The music teacher Ms. Errol said. "I would like you to teach your music class today, I have an important errand I need done." "Ms. Awayuki already said yes and she'll make sure that your class will go smoothly." Sakura couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was going to teach her peers.
"I know what you're thinking Ms. Avalon." Ms. Awayuki said. "But I know you can teach your peers, Ms. Errol has the work you're supposed to give and your extra task. And for your help Ms. Avalon, Ms. Errol will give you an A for the period." Sakura still couldn't believe what she was hearing but she agreed to it and took Ms. Errol's lesson plan and she bowed to them and left to go to lunch. She read the lesson plan. Sing Amazing and have them sing individually and choose which student is to sing for the spring festival. Sakura had to play the piano and sing first then have the rest of the class sing individually then together. It didn't seem so hard so that made her a little less nervous. When she got her lunch and went out to eat she realized she didn't have lunch with Madison, Eli or Kalvin today so she ate by herself.
Sakura was late for her music when she realized that she dozed off. She ran toward the music room and stepped in. Everyone looked at her thinking she was the teacher.
"You're very lucky Ms. Errol isn't here Avalon or you would have been in a lot of trouble." Meiling smirked. Sakura looked at her and the rest of the class and sighed. "Well that's just the thing, I'll be teaching today."
"SAY WHAT!" The whole class yelled out. Sakura winced slightly and looked at them. She also saw Ms. Awayuki in the back near the corner with a smile on, that just made Sakura even more nervous. Sakura put the lesson plan on Ms. Errol's desk and wrote her name down on the board. The students couldn't believe that Sakura was teaching.
"Alright we're going to sing Amazing Grace, I'll start us off and then I'll call each of you to come up and sing individually after I'm finished we'll sing it together." Sakura walked over to the piano and sat down. She opened the music book to the page that was marked for her. She started to play the opening and as she played she started to sing along with the music. Her voice was the voice of an angel, most of the students started to sigh at her voice; they fell in love with it. Madison was amazed at Sakura's new talent, she never really sang out loud before and she was shocked. Eli and Kalvin were thinking back to when they used to hear Ying Fa sing this and many other songs with either Yue or Clow Reed playing the piano. Meiling remembered how Ying Fa used to sing and wanted to rip her vocal cords out. Darius and Syaoran were both in another world, thinking about Ying Fa or Sakura singing to them as well as their own dirty thoughts. As Sakura finished singing she looked at the class and was shocked, they were either asleep or dazed out. She looked at Ms. Awayuki and noticed that she had starry eyes and was looking straight at her.
"Sakura that was amazing, you should put yourself on the list and put captain beside your name as well." Ms. Awayuki smiled. Sakura blushed as the class woke up and looked at her with amaze.
"Sakura that was phenomenal." Madison said. Many of the students agreed. Sakura just blushed and started to call them by alphabetical order. When Kalvin came up he sang deeply and in a lovely way, which made many of the girls look at him in new way. Sakura smiled as she finished and wrote his name down and put him as a back up singer since he had a deep voice when he sang.
After a little while Darius came up and sang, he wasn't as good as Kalvin so Sakura couldn't put him on the list. Sakura intently skipped Syaoran and moved on to Eli whom she put on the list after he sang. Madison fell in love with his voice, which she's never heard before, she's heard him play the piano and even the flute but she's never heard him sing.
After a couple of other students Meiling went. Syaoran, Darius, Kalvin and Eli knew what they were about to hear. Meiling's voice, 50 years ago rivaled Ying Fa's. Meiling sang the song and the students thought she was lovely just like Sakura but Sakura had more of a heavenly sound compared to Meiling's. Sakura still liked Meiling's voice and put her on the list. Madison went after Meiling and she was considered to have the best voice in the whole school since Sakura never sand out loud before. Eli loved Madison's voice just as much as Sakura and the rest of the class. Sakura put Madison down as a leader. When Ms. Errol hearing the students she chose, she would ask her if she and Madison could help her. When Sakura was about to have the class sing together Ms. Awayuki signaled toward Syaoran. Sakura looked at him and blushed but she called him up. Syaoran's voice in short was something no one would ever expect with the attitude he had. Sakura was amazed and loved Syaoran's voice. She wrote him down and they continued the music class until they were dismissed.
Sakura on her way home noticed that it was bright out even though it was still cloudy out. She ignored it and continued home. When she got home she hurried upstairs to her room. A bright light shone in her room, she moved toward her window and saw blazing wings. Sakura gasped as a phoenix was flying near her window. It had feathers of blazing colors and green eyes.
"Hop on my back young one." The phoenix said. Sakura got on and the phoenix flew her all over the world and above the globe. Sakura was amazed at everything she saw as the phoenix took her back to her room. The light shown once again and the bird was gone and two creatures fell on the floor. Sakura looked at the creatures; one was a little lion with golden fur, round ears, black eyes and angel-like wings. Also right next to him was a gray wolf, which was the same size as the lion, it had pointed ears with angel wings but his eyes were an amber color, much like Syaoran's eyes. They started to move and Sakura did an anime scared face.
"Oww, man I should kill Yue." The lion moaned rubbing his head.
"Well it was for Sakura." The wolf said looking at the lion. Sakura crawled toward them and poked the lion.
"Hey!" The lion yelled before seeing who poked him. "Hello Sakura."
"Who are you two?" Sakura asked.
"My name is Showron and his name is Kero." The wolf smiled. "At least those are our names in these forms and it will be easier for you to call us so." Sakura tilted her head at that.
"Don't worry Sakura; he loves to talk in riddles." Kero said. Sakura just nodded before asking.
"Why are you both here?"
"Oh, the core of that phoenix was us. But we're here now to watch over you. Like extra guardians." Showron said.
"Doubt I need extra guardians. But you're welcome to stay with me." Sakura smiled
Thursday
Thursday morning it was raining. But Sakura was still of to school nice and early with her cheery blossom umbrella. As she entered her homeroom she saw Madison finishing what she was supposed to do this morning.
"Madison why are you here so early?" Sakura asked.
"You see how it is outside so I decided to come earlier so I wouldn't have to be out there too long." Madison smiled. Sakura nodded and sat at her desk to look through her work. Madison sat next to her as she finished looking at it.
"Sakura you know that you're turning 17 don't you?" Madison asked. Sakura looked at Madison realizing that her birthday was tomorrow but in some ways it didn't feel like it but she knew it and remembered all the little presents she's received so far, even the unexpected one from Syaoran. She blushed remembering that night. Madison did notice but she wouldn't say anything, for now.
"I really don't know Madison, I guess I'm not jumping for joy because I feel that something is going to happen that will change everything and I'm a little afraid of what it might be." Sakura said looking out of the window.
"Sakura you can't think that way or you won't be happy, your predecessor always lived life to the fullest and she made life worth living even for those that didn't believe they had anything left to live for." Eli said coming into the room.
"He's right you know you can't be unhappy, you have a task that God gave you and you also have a life to live; live it to the best of your ability Sakura or you won't be able to protect those who also have lives to live." Kalvin smiled walking in and sitting in front of her. Sakura looked at them both and their smiled. She smiled back at them and nodded.
On Sakura's way home it was still raining it seemed as if it wouldn't let up for tomorrow. 'Well my birthday won't be a beautiful one.' Sakura thought to herself and sighed. Suddenly Sakura three figures fly in the sky. It was Showron, Kero and Spinner, she wondered what they were doing flying around when they could be seen but before she could even call out to them she saw that they were using their magic to make the sun come out and the clouds start to disappear. The sun was casting a beautiful light everywhere and the remaining buts of rain started to make a rainbow. The three beasts started to move the sun's light in a certain way until it formed a cherry blossom. Sakura's eyes widened at the sight, they actually made a rainbow cherry blossom in the sky. She smiled brightly and saw them wave at her as they changed into their earth forms. Kero and Showron flew toward her and Spinner flew off toward Eli's house.
"Thank you, that is beautiful." Sakura said as they landed on her shoulders.
"You're welcome Sakura." Both Kero and Showron said.
Friday
It was Sakura's birthday, she was 17 today. Many things were to happen, some good, some bad. A mystery was going to begin today. Of course Sakura had no idea what was going to happen but she was happy that it was her birthday. The sun was shinning brightly; the cheery blossoms were in bloom and the world seemed at peace. Sakura skated to school today and made it just in time to do her classroom work and watch the sun on the roof again.
"Happy birthday my cherry blossom." Darius said floating in the air behind her. Sakura turned to look at him. He had a present in his hand as he landed on the floor and walked toward her to hand it to her.
"If Meiling were with you I wouldn't take this." Sakura joked as she opened the white and blue wrapping to find something she's never seen before. "A white cherry blossom…these are so rare that they can only been seen my magical creatures." Sakura gasped. "You grew it?"
"Well not really, I got it from another dimension where they grow freely and this large as well." Darius took the cherry blossom out of the box and put it in her hair. Sakura couldn't help but blush as he gave her a mirror to look. It was truly beautiful and very distinctive. She loved it.
"Thank you so much." Sakura hugged him. He was taken a back but he hugged her back, thinking that it could have been like this 50 years ago. Sakura let go and took his hand and went downstairs to their class. Eli, Kalvin, Madison and the rest of the class had been wondering where she'd been. When she walked in everyone shouted, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAKURA!" Sakura couldn't believe it everyone in her class had a present for her and she was a little embarrassed. Everyone in the class gave her their present and Sakura opened each one, she received hair pieces, shirts, some books she always wanted and many other things. Sakura couldn't help but smile at her whole class for being so nice to her on her birthday. But the funny thing was that the only people that didn't give her a present were Eli, Kalvin, Madison, Meiling (AN: She will believe me) and Syaoran. In fact now that she was looking around she noticed that neither Meiling nor Syaoran were anywhere to be found.
Their teacher soon came in and wished Sakura a happy birthday as well and gave her a little gift from himself, and one from the principal. Sakura blushed from embarrassment. Her teach asked her, Eli and Kalvin to take her stuff and put it somewhere so she wouldn't have to carry it all.
"So you like your presents?" Kalvin asked. Sakura smiled and nodded.
"You haven't given me anything." She said while walking over to her locker.
"You know very well that our gifts are magical and that you can't get them in school wait till later." Eli laughed at her. At her locker they made sure no one was around and sent her gifts to her room.
For the ret of the day Sakura had her classes but she felt a little lonesome with Syaoran behind her and a little bored without Meiling trying to cast a spell on her during class. But she was able to pay closer attention and even get all her homework done instead of just half of it. As they day ended Sakura was hoping to be walked home by Kalvin, Eli and Madison but they left early for only God knows why. So on her birthday Sakura Avalon had to skate home alone. On her way she decided to get a little exercise and skate around town a little before sunset. She ran into a couple of kids that skated like she did and they raced and did tricks together until Sakura had to go.
As she got home she noticed that the lights were completely off. She used her keys and opened the door and looked around, it was totally dark and she couldn't see a thing. She looked for the light and turned it on and heard a giant yell, "SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAKURA!" Sakura opened her eyes and saw her dad, her brother, Eli, Kalvin and Madison with a large cake and she saw Julian, Chelsea, Nikki, Rita, and Zachary and all her other friends.
"Oh my word, so this is why you guys left early." Sakura said with total shock in her face.
"Yeah, we had to get all this done before you got home." Madison said, "And it took quite a while to bring my presents over." She said with now starry eyes. Sakura smiled and laughed nervously. She looked around hoping to see Syaoran but she had no such luck. But there was no point in being upset so she smiled and they had supper and then Sakura opened all of Madison's presents, which were mostly clothes that she made herself and some cherry blossom lotion and body wash. The last box was quite long. She unwrapped the pink and white wrapping to reveal a gorgeous sugar pink gown with a dark pink flowered designed sash and neck piece and some white gloves that Madison made herself.
"Madison, this is beautiful, how did you do this?" Sakura asked amazed. The girls loved the dress as well and Madison was very proud of it.
"Well it took me half a year but it was worth it to see the look you have Sakura." Madison smiled. Sakura looked at her and hugged her. They all partied a little more until ten since Mr. Avalon and Tori had work in the morning. Rita, Nikki, Chelsea and Zachary left but not before each hugging Sakura and wishing her happy birthday again. When they were gone Julian changed into Yue and Kero and Showron flew downstairs and Spinner appeared.
"You ready?" Yue asked the three guardians. They nodded and used their magic to make a cherry blossom fall in the house. Sakura looked around and smiled and laughed. She twirled around with Eli, then Kalvin and then Yue. She was truly happy but she did wish that Syaoran was here to be with her. She didn't know why but she'd grown quite fond of him.
"I'll take it that you liked your birthday squirt." Tori smiled. Sakura hugged him then stepped on his foot softly but enough for him to feel it.
"Yes brother dear I did." Sakura said as she danced in the falling cherry blossoms.
"Sakura that reminds me, we both have a gift for you." Kalvin said which made Sakura stop and look at him and Eli. Kalvin held out a small gift that was in a velvet box. Sakura took it and opened it to reveal a gold star brooch. Inside it was a small piece of paper that Sakura took out.
"What's this?" She asked.
"Read the incantation and you'll know." Kalvin smiled gently. Sakura read the words and the room went slightly dark until Sakura could see her mother standing before her. The Avalon family gasped at seeing their mother and wife.
"Mama?" Sakura asked with a broken voice. Natasha Avalon smiled and nodded Sakura ran to her and hugged her. Natasha hugged Sakura back and Sakura could feel warmth from her. "I can't believe it, you're alive again!" Sakura cried and still hugged her. Natasha's smile faded slightly and pulled Sakura away from her.
"I'm not alive my dear, I'm only here to see you on your seventeenth birthday and to see how much you've grown and the woman you've become." Natasha said, her emerald eyes looking into her daughter's identical ones. "I will have to leave." Sakura's eyes started to tear but she nodded understanding. Natasha smiled and hugged her. They let go and Natasha looked at her big boy.
"Hello Tori, I see you've been watching over your sister."
"Yes mother." Tori said with tears in his eyes. He walked toward her and hugged her. He cried on her shoulder and Natasha smiled and patted him softly. "It's alright my son, mama's here." (AN: This is so sweet and heartbreaking) Natasha pulled him away from her and lifted his chin up. "You're alright dear, I know it's been hard without your mother here but you have to be strong so you can protect your sister like you promised me you would."
"Yes ma'am, I will." Tori straightened and wiped his tears away. Natasha smiled at her little grown man. She then looked at her husband with seldom eyes. Aiden moved toward her and embraced her and picked her up and twirled her around before kissing her with tears spilling out of his eyes.
"I've missed you so my love." He said with his tears streaming. She smiled and kissed his tears away.
"I know dear, but I am always here and I always will be here. I know it's been hard raising our children on your own but look at what they've become. Tori is all grown up and is working and our little Sakura had become a young woman and God has made her the protector of this world, she has great power and courage and it's thanks to you and our son. I couldn't be more proud of my family." Madison looked at her aunt, whom she hasn't seen since she was three. Natasha smiled and hugged her as well.
"My mother misses you auntie." Madison said softly. She couldn't cry since she really didn't know her that well.
"I know darling, I miss my sister as well but I'm watching you and her as well and you've become quite a friend and companion to Sakura. And I thank you for that." "Oh and that reminds me, Sakura, I've seen that you've become fond of that dark angel." Sakura blushed at what her mother said and looked down. Natasha walked over to her and whispered to her "You're in love with him; I hope you'll be happy with him." She stepped away to look at her daughter blushing. She smiled and began to fade away. "I love you all and I will always be here with you." The Avalon family had tears in their eyes as their beloved mother and wife left even Madison was crying now, since she now knew her aunt and the kind of person she was. As soon as Natasha was gone Sakura smiled knowing that her mother was still standing next to her.
A knock came to the door and Madison ran to open it. "Oh hello, yeah she's here, I'll get her, do come in though." She said merrily at the person at the door. "Sakura, someone is here to see you." Madison practically sang. Sakura looked at her and rolled her eyes. But she stopped cold in her tracks when she saw chestnut colored hair and amber eyes. Syaoran stepped in and smiled at Sakura. Tori had a frown on and so did Yue. "Hello Sakura, happy birthday." He smiled. Sakura blushed and muttered a thank you. Syaoran acknowledged everyone else in the house and smiled and bowed. "Mr. Avalon may I have a word with your daughter?" Syaoran asked politely. Aiden looked at him and nodded, against Tori's protest.
Once outside Syaoran turned to Sakura and said to her, "You noticed that I wasn't at school today right?"
"Of course I noticed why weren't you and Meiling in school?"
"Meiling wasn't in school? Oh well, but I have a present for you my dear." He smiled and summoned his wings. He took her hand and flew her into the air. Sakura summoned her wings and flew with him, hand-in hand. They flew all the way to the highest point in Tomoeda.
"Syaoran, why did you bring me here?" She asked over looking the town.
"I want to give you one of my gifts." He said as he used his magic to summon a large parcel. Sakura removed the wrapping to find an all white gown in it along with a white and pink cherry blossom clip. Sakura stared at his gift with a blush on her cheeks.
"Oh my word, Syaoran thank you, it's gorgeous." Sakura looked up and him before hugging him.
"I'm not done yet my cherry blossom." He said letting her go. He looked up at the clear night sky and used his magic to make stars shoot in the sky. Sakura looked up and couldn't believe her eyes. The sky lit up with starlight. She couldn't take her eyes off the sky, it was beautiful and Sakura couldn't believe that Syaoran could do it really.
"You're amazing." Sakura said with awe. Syaoran looked at her and turned her toward him. She looked at him and they kissed as the stars flew by. Sakura's birthday was truly beautiful and she would never forget it and she wouldn't forget what was to come afterward.
Lil LoveStar: I'm finally done, enjoy everyone.