A/N: Hiya all! I kinda disappointed. My goal is to have al least 10 reviews for each chapter. Excluding this chapter, I would still need 8 more. Therefore, I am extending my chapters to more than 2000 words, (or around there at least) excluding the reviewers section! So, sit back and enjoy! Sorry it took so long, I was busy with my studies. I am also trying to be more descriptive.
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One more thing, the tsubasa reservoir official site has opened. Here's the website. Did you know the ANIME was to be aired in Japan on April 9? Can't wait to be released in Singapore!
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http:www3.nhk.or.jp/anime/tsubasa/index.html
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Reviewers:
FlowerLover: Thanks for the review! Just read to find out what happened to the unicorns.
Pinaygrrl: Thanks for the review!
angeldrg227: Hope you get one soon! Syaoran is acting as the hero. Lets see how this end shall we?
Erika-chan: More E+T fluff in this chapter I promise! Hope you like it! One question. Why did you review from the first chapter?
Unkown-Character: Well, something has to happen in order to put some flare into the story!
Lil Cherry Blossom Angel: Same old Li Syaoran. Lets hope he DOES do something heroic!
Sakura Blossom-Cilla-85: I agree. Kawaii!
Chapter 6: Rescue (P1)
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"But-but-but how on earth are you going to track them!"
"Its obvious they went into the forest. The part of the fence that was broken is at the edge of the forest. What's more, if the poachers used the road, we would have heard them as they need to past by Kinimoto's cottage."
"He's right. Anyways Frost could help us even if we lost them."
Sakura's eyes filled with fear. On one side, she's glad that Syaoran actually cared for her and her unicorns. But on the other hand, there may still be a slight chance that Syaoran may never come back. Ever.
"Xiao Lang, these guys are not like what you think. Once they capture you, they won't just let you rot in their cages. They will kill you and just leave your body somewhere remote and leave you as dinner for the wolves. I know because….." Sakura stopped mid-sentence. She started to tremble slightly again as she cast her eyes at a photo frame.
Syaoran never noticed the frame before. It was an old frame, with cherry blossoms trees carved delicately on the borders. What perked Syaoran's interest was the picture within the frame. There were four figures on the photo. Each of them wore a smile on their faces. He then started to examine the people inside the picture. There, inside the photo were two men, a woman and a young girl, no more than 12 years old and somehow a brownish baby unicorn lying asleep on the grass. The young male then realized it was Sakura's family and Chocolate, when he was just given birth at least.
The older man wore glasses. He had the same auburn hair as Sakura and dark brown eyes. He was obviously Sakura's father as he was carrying a 12-year old Sakura in his arms and was looking at the emerald-eyed child with a warm loving look.
The next was a woman who was dressed in a sundress. She had wavy long grayish hair and emerald eyes- exactly like Sakura. The wind was blowing and her hair floated in the wind. She had a curvy figure and pale skin. She was also laid a hand on a young male teenager, who Syaoran suspected was Sakura's brother.
The young man had dark brown hair and brown eyes. He was kneeling and patting the young baby unicorn. He seemed happy, just like his whole family. Syaoran's eyes traveled back to 12-year old Sakura. She was giggling happily and her eyes sparkled with life. Syaoran took another glance at the now 16-year old Sakura. Her eyes showed no sign of any shine that was evident in the picture. In fact, it was almost hollow and dull and void of life. What could have happened to cause such a drastic change in one person's character? Where are Sakura's family? The questions swirled in Syaoran's mind. Each more confusing than the last.
"Hey Xiao Lang! You there? Hello?" Eriol wondered in front of his cousin, waving his hand in front of his face, trying to bring him out of his thoughts. His attempt was successful as Syaoran finally snapped back to reality.
"I'm leaving. Even if I might die. I can't just stand around here hoping for Kinimoto's Unicorns to be safe." Syaoran then called Frost to him and the two left the door.
"Wait! Xiao Lang. You aren't planning to walk through the forest are you?" Tomoyo asked in wonderment.
Syaoran paused for a moment. Tomoyo was right. If he would have walked, it would take ages to reach the poachers camp. "Actually, I was planning to take Chocolate…"
"Are you dumb? You are going to let Sakura's last unicorn to go with you to look for the poachers? Who would also take Chocolate if he had the chance?"
Syaoran gritted his teeth in annoyance. "What then would you suggest? I don't see any horses around here do you?"
Tomoyo grinned, "I wasn't going to suggest horses…." She then pointed to her carriage. Syaoran turned and stared. There, attached to the reins of the carriage wasn't a wyvern anymore. It was an Apteradraco. Apteradracos are wingless dragons but huge in size. It had slivery and blackish scales. Its snake-like eyes narrowed at the young male, checking Syaoran from top to bottom before letting down its guard.
"Meet Sliver. He can't fly but quite speedy on land. I think he would be suitable for traveling in forests."
The wingless beast slithered across the ground as he stared at Syaoran, who gulped. Why do all magical creatures have this effect on him? Tomoyo unattached Sliver from the reins and pulled the creature towards the prince. "Take good care of him. He is one of my favourites."
"I will. Thanks Daidouji." "Anytime."
Syaoran hopped onto Sliver and held onto the reins. The dragon swished his long tail as it ran towards the forest. Syaoran stared at the tall tress at the forest, towering over him "I hope I can do this."
Inside the cottage……
"Syaoran's going after him. The same him who destroyed my life and my family. I would never forgive him for what he has done."
Ever since Syaoran left the farm, Sakura kept muttering words like "him", "destroy".
Eriol was thoroughly bewildered. Not only he had no idea what was happening, he was also quite uncomfortable around Sakura who was clutching the photo frame in her arms and murmuring strange words.
"Can anyone tell me what's going on here?"
"I'll tell you."
Eriol whirled around. Tomoyo entered the cottage once again. She motioned Eriol to follow her to the kitchen. Eriol had no choice but to follow the dragon breeder into the room. It seems that Tomoyo was trying to leave Sakura alone for some time to allow her to comprehend and think through what was happening.
It took Tomoyo a few minutes to muster enough courage to tell the truth of the mystery tale. Eriol patiently waited for her to begin the story
"It happened when Sakura was 13. This isn't the first time poachers came to this particular farm. They always been eyeing this farm because the unicorns are all very well-bred……."
"BANG!"
The two jumped inside the kitchen as the sudden noise shocked them out of their wits. "That was the door!... SAKURA!"
The couple rushed towards the living room only to find it empty. Tomoyo gasped in horror, fear and worry evident in her eyes. "Sakura's gone!"
"Where could she have gone?" They looked around for any clues or leads that may lead them to the missing girl. Flames was gone too. Eriol then wondered his eyes to the window. He looked into the fields and realized that Chocolate had also disappeared.
"Don't tell me…………"
The two looked at each other and said in unison, "She's gone after Xiao Lang…"
The forest was completely silent. It was strange. The only sound that could be heard was the soft thumps were the footsteps of Sliver. Syaoran did not see a single animal since he entered the mysterious forest except for flying insects.
Syaoran's spine tingled more with each passing minute. The forest seemed endless. "Maybe I should have asked Kinimoto about this forest… Frost! Fly ahead and look for the poachers!
The phoenix nodded and immediately flew upwards and above the net of trees. He flew north and continued to search for any smoke signs.
While down below, Syaoran continued his way deeper into the trees, beginning to worry that he would not be able to find his way out of the forest after nightfall. The sun was starting to set and he needed a fire source to see through the darkness.
"Guess you don't need a light source do you? After all, you can see through the night."
The dragon slithered in response as it curved its body between trees.
"CAWWW!"
The dragon stopped in its tracks and snapped towards the sound above, putting on its guard. Syaoran had barely had enough time to look up before he was smacked right on the head. It was Flame.
"Owww…. Flame? What are you doing here?" "Cawww"
Softly, horse hoofs could be heard from behind some bushes. "If Flames here.and the only horse or unicorn farm around here is Kinimoto's. Then that must be…."
A distraught Sakura appeared behind the bushes, riding Chocolate. Flames flew towards her and perched on top of her shoulder. Syaoran became worried as he saw Sakura's puffy red eyes. She must have been crying.
"Kinimoto? Mind telling me what are you doing here? WITH CHOCOLATE?"
Sakura looked at Syaoran strongly without fear, her eyes narrowing at the amber-eyed male, "They are my Unicorns. I will protect them no matter what. I don't need an outsider to help me."
"An outsider? Excuse me but aren't you the ones that FORCED me into working on your farm?"
"It wasn't me. I was just trying to respect Tomoyo's wishes!"
"What is it with you and working alone? I've seen how you look when you were young. You never smiled that way ever since I met you. What happened to your family?"
Sakura eye's flickered with sadness. Her fist clenched even more tightly on Chocolate's reins.
She clicked her tongue and Chocolate trotted through the darkness. Syaoran huffed and gruffly asked, "How are you going to see? Unicorns can't see in the darkness.." By then. The sun was gone from the sky as nightfall enveloped through the whole forest.
This time Sakura smirked, "Flame.. Would you please?" The fire creature cawed as it tail feathers glowed bright orange red. Syaoran shield his eyes by using his hand. "Would you care to turn it down?"
" If you are going to be so grouchy…"Sakura clicked her tongue as Flame reduced the light radiating from her tail, leaving it bright enough for them to see at least a few metres infront of them.
The two never spoke again as they continued their way, in desperate search of Dusk and the others. Chocolate and Flame constantly gave worried glances to their mistress while Sliver just continued walking straight ahead, not even bothered nor affected by what was happening.
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In the cottage……………
Tomoyo sniffed as another hour passed. It has been at least four hours since she had any news of the couple. Eriol, who was leaning out the window, took a glance at Tomoyo. He sighed again as she began to tear even more.
"Here."
Tomoyo looked up with tear-filled eyes. Eriol was presenting her with his handkerchief. He was looking in another direction so that Tomoyo would not see his red face. Tomoyo was surprised as she had never imagined Eriol had a soft side. She immediately jumped onto Eriol with her arms around his neck and poured out tears of sadness and worry.
Eriol eyes widened at the sudden action of the young female. "Shhhh… Its ok…..Kinimoto is fine.. with Xiao Lang around."
Tomoyo didn't stop crying. Eriol then placed his hand on top of Tomoyo's back, soothing her. Back on the Dragon farm, all he could see in Tomoyo was pure evilness. Now, she was more like a helpless kitten.
The two stayed in that position for who knows how long. All Eriol concentrated on was trying to comfort the worried-stricken Tomoyo.
After a few minutes, Tomoyo's cries lessened. Eriol then realized Tomoyo had fallen asleep while she tired herself out by crying.
Eriol lifted her seemingly weightless body into the guest room. He covered Tomoyo with the comforter as he sat on the armchair beside the bed.
His eyes traced Tomoyo's sleeping figure. She was breathing regularly again. Eriol blushed light pink as he began to wonder what should he say and how he should act after Tomoyo wakes up. Certainly she would not be happy. Tomoyo began to move as she turned her body to the other side. Her hand laid outstretched towards Eriol. Without thought, he gripped onto her hand and placed a small kiss on it. He looked out the window and at the moon, "Hurry up Syaoran.." he whispered to no one in particular.
The clock struck twelve, signaling the start of a new day while another had passed. It's one more day Syaoran and Eriol managed to stay hidden from their family. Who knows will they ever be caught. Do you?
To be continued……………
A/N: Done! What do you think? Its definitely longer than any of my chapters. I never thought 2000 words to be so less untilonly half of the rescue mission is done. Did you notice Sakura and Syaoran relationship took a step backwards while Tomoyo and Eriol relationship took one step forward? Sorry! I added itat the last minuteto spice it up. Sorry to those looking forward to S+S romance!Please read and review if you wanna find out what happens next! I'll also include pets romance. Particuallly Frost and Flame. Watch out for the next eddition! I promise Syaoran will do something heroic.Thank you!