Disclaimer: I do not own anyone from "CardCaptor Sakura". They are all owned by the ladies of CLAMP who are much more talented than I. (smile) I also do not own anyone from "Sailor Moon". They are all owned by Takeuchi Naoko whose vision will live eternally. (smile) (Much to Elflina's dismay...) All other characters are my own. Feel free to steal them.
I do not hold chapters ransom for reviews, but I sure appreciate compliments, constructive criticism, and grammatical corrections. So if you feel like it, please press that little review button, and let me know what you think.
Greetings, all, especially Taeniaea and aserene. Sorry, short chapter this time. Hopefully, the next three will make up for it. (wink) Shall I give you a hint? Hmmm... Nah! (giggle) Okay, okay... It's set it Crystal Tokyo, and our new villain has set his sights on... Diana. Luna is NOT going to be happy... Since this is a short one, I'll do a double upload today. I'll be traveling on Tuesday and Wednesday, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to update. So, Moon's Light readers will get an update tonight as well.
Enjoy! - Raya
Moonlit Sakura
Chapter 22 - A Helpful Dream
Sakura snuggled down into her bed with a sleepy sigh, and drifted off to sleep. Soon, she found herself in the crystal hallway once more. She blinked in surprise when she saw the portraits lining the walls, suddenly remembering their presence. As she looked down the hall, however, she realized that there were more of them.
She nodded to the Lady on the Moon, the Knight in the Garden, the Fire Dancer, and the Sleeper as she walked down the hallway. Somehow, it felt right to acknowledge them as if they were alive and aware. As she reached the next picture, she stopped and stared.
A young woman with shoulder length hair rested in the branches of a tall, old oak. Her long, sparkling green gown blended with the shining leaves of the tree, while the shade of her brown hair matched the shadowed trunk. She smiled up at the full moon that shone in the blue sky above her while she cradled some hidden object protectively in her arms. She seemed unconcerned about the jagged green-white lightening that was shooting out from the tree in all directions. The lightening ran out of the picture and onto the medium dark oak frame that surrounded it.
Sakura studied the picture a few moments, admiring the strength it radiated, and then nodded to the Lady in the Tree, and moved on to the next picture. She blinked in stunned amazement. A golden-haired woman of unspeakable beauty stood in the middle of an open-aired temple made of marble columns and a floor of pure gold. The bright gold frame appeared to bleed into the picture and form her long dress of glowing molten gold. The marble columns were also etched with gold and golden images. She held a spray of orange flowers tinged with yellow tips up to a full moon as if offering a gift with a small, delighted smile. The picture left her breathless at its bright beauty.
When she finally tore her eyes from the woman and looked towards the next picture in the hall, she realized that the wall had expanded up to allow two pictures to be placed together. Curious, she walked towards them.
In the lower picture framed by seashells, a beautiful woman with aqua hair floated on a sparkling ocean. Her long, deep indigo colored dress draped below her as if to pull her down. Under her, various sea creatures swam including swordfish, sea bass, and a dolphin. To the left of her head, the reflection of a shining full moon danced on the water while to the right of her sandaled feet a whale dove back into the deep. One hand held a mirror, while the other reached up yearningly towards the picture above it.
In that picture, framed by clear glass, a woman with short white hair faced her and reached yearningly back with her free hand. In her other hand, she held a shining saber. She appeared to be floating or flying through the air beneath several white puffy clouds. A little to her left and above her, the full moon shone brightly, and birds flew all around her. Her dark yellow dress had panels of fabric for a skirt which arced up into the air behind her, as if to pull her back into the sky. On her feet were dark ankle boots.
Sakura studied the two paintings silently, saddened by the gap that seem to eternally separate the two. She bit her lip, and then reached out to touch the two frames trying to figure out how to move them closer together. As she touched the frames, a bright light made her jump back in surprise and shield her eyes. When she could see again, she found that the two pictures had merged into one, and that the two women were now touching hand to hand. Sakura smiled happily and nodded at the result.
As she turned to look for more pictures, the hallway faded away. She looked around in surprise as she floated through an inky blackness and then was surrounded by pink mist. Floating in front of her, she saw the people from the portraits, dressed in different outfits, standing in a large group. Her eyes widened in surprised delight as she saw several of her Card Spirits with them looking normal, healthy, and well.
As she reached towards them, Windy looked up, saw her, and smiled. "Windy…" she said softly.
"I wish we knew how to get out of here," the Lady on the Moon sighed. "I wish Ami-chan were here."
Her friends murmured and nodded in agreement. "Well, what would she tell us to do?" the Lady in the Tree asked reflectively.
"We could try Sailor Teleport," the Golden Priestess said, holding a small white cat in her arms.
"I don't think that would be a good idea," the Fire Dancer replied, shaking her head. As the others looked at her questioningly, she shook her head again. "Just a feeling," she continued.
"Well, if Rei-chan has a feeling we shouldn't, then we shouldn't," the first woman said with disappointment.
"Maybe Michiru-mama can find the way with her Mirror?" the Sleeper asked tentatively.
"Mirror…" Sakura heard herself echo. Mirror, standing beside the Ocean Goddess, turned curiously at the sound of her voice. She smiled, and then began to glow.
The Knight in the Garden suddenly stiffened and stared straight at her. "Who's there!" he called stepping protectively closer to the woman with white pigtails.
Sakura blinked in surprise, and felt her heart speed up with excitement. She opened her mouth to respond when a loud beeping noise interrupted her. Abruptly, the dream faded away, and Sakura sat up abruptly in her bed reaching after it.