Mystery of the Haunted Cabin
A/N: From now on, it's going to be a little fast paced. You'll have to keep up and just jog along now. The end is almost near...oh wow, that sounded almost poetic! ^^ Okay...anyways...back to the story!
Disclaimer - Um....Kero-chan...
Kero: Kristy Selean does not own CCS.
KS: Arigato!
Mystery of the Haunted Cabin
Chapter 7
She stood gaping at the spot. He clenched his teeth and balled his fists in anger. Tears streaked from her eyes. Blood threatened to burst from his now pale hands.
"Meilin-chan!" Sakura wailed.
It wasn't fair. What was going on? How did she just disappear between that interval of Tomoyo's capture? Sakura collapsed on the floor and released her tears. She rested her head against the wall. He punched a huge dent in it. Sakura gasped as she saw a crimson shade despite the tears clouding her eyes.
"Li-kun..."
Syaoran froze. She was scared. Sakura was scared...for him. Sakura grabbed the nearest towel and started to wrap his left hand. The warrior watched on as she struggled to get it on him without hurting him and avoiding contact at the same time. Finally, the Clow card mistress prevailed at wrapping up his injuries. Syaoran smiled at her handiwork. It wasn't the best, but it was her sign of showing that she cared.
'She actually cares...for me.'
"I...It's not the best, but it will hold for now." Sakura stuttered.
Syaoran gaped at his now scarlet angel. He could tell she was pretty embarrassed. Maybe he shouldn't have stared so much...
"A-arigato."
Sakura gasped. He thanked her? Mr. High-and-mighty-Li-Syaoran thanked her? Kodak moment!
Syaoran smiled at her adorably confused face. Oh, hold up a sec, there. Syaoran SMILED? Wow! Another Kodak moment. Sakura blushed and smiled back shyly before turning back to the spot.
"Meilin-chan..."
Syaoran immediately turned back. It was amazing how Sakura could just make him forget everything about himself all of a sudden. A droplet on the floor yanked him out of his thoughts - Sakura was crying again.
"We will get you back, Meilin-chan!"
Syaoran watched the hopeful look on Sakura's face as he stared down at the spot that Meilin stood before she disappeared while Sakura remembered the words that Clow had said to her in her dream.
+Have hope, Sakura.+
*~*
White puffy islands floated around in a hot brown ocean of hot chocolate as Sakura stired her drink that Syaoran bought for her. It had been a long night after two of their closest friends were taken away by whatever beast that was out there. Sakura blushed when she remembered that Syaoran fell asleep with his head on her feet while he was still sitting on the stairs of her bunkbed watching over her. The only thing that broke her out of her daydreaming was a small-pitched voice that squeeked from her purse.
"Sakura-chan! I'm hungry!" Kero whined in a half-whisper.
Sakura's eyes widened as she stuffed him back in her purse.
"Be quiet Kero-chan! We haven't even got the food yet!"
Just as she finished her discussion with Kero, Sakura felt a shadow come up from behind her. Syaoran's coughing also assured her that someone was around. Sakura's eyes widened as she slowly turned her head toward the direction of the shadow's owner. Luckily, the waitor had missed the discussion with the stuffed animal. (Kero: I heard that! Kristy: ^^;;)
"Here are your orders. Still, sometimes I wonder why you wanted pizza and french fries up at a ski lodge like this."
The waitor placed their food items on their table before heading off to serve another customer. Sakura took a few french fries off of her plate and shoved it down her purse before starting her meal. The warm food felt wonderful as her energy flooded back to her. Syaoran also felt revitalized by his meal as Kero voiced his muffled opinions in Sakura's purse. Sakura's hands shot to her purse in hopes of muffling the sounds.
"Kero-chan, shut up!" Sakura muttered through gritted teeth.
Unfortunately, that caught everyone's attention. Sakura sweatdropped as she tried to figure out what to do.
"K-kero-chan, there's no such thing as an abominable snowman!" Sakura shouted at Syaoran.
Syaoran blinked a few times before catching on to Sakura's train of thought.
"Oh, I know. I was just testing you."
Slowly but surely, the audience turned back around and continued their previous conversations and dining as Sakura and Syaoran hesitantly returned to their meal. Kero remained strangely quiet after that. (The truth was, Sakura knocked him out by throwing him against the bottom of the table. Don't tell...) It was only a few minutes until anther distraction occurred - another haunting melody.
---
Graceful
Peaceful
Gentle like a fan
I want the swan.
(Ick! Yeah, I'm getting tired of these "melodies.")
---
Something snapped in the back of Sakura and Syaoran's minds. The swan? Now who was it? Someone kind, graceful, and pure...It didn't take long for the two of them to realize who it was. Sakura's eyes widened, and her pupils became dialated. Syaoran jumped to his feet.
"Sakura-san!"
"Li-kun...help me..." Sakura whispered before she completely lost contact.
Sakura slowly took her purse, got up, and headed for the door. Syaoran ran toward the entrance and tried to block her from leaving. Even after barricading the door by standing in front of it, Sakura still approached him. Syaoran stared into her eyes; it wouldn't be long until she reached him.
"Let me through," slurred Sakura in a dazed voice.
Syaoran struggled to hold her back. Just pushing her shoulders only caused her to squirm.
"Sakura-san!"
It was to no avail. Sakura continued her squirming, trying to break through and get out the door. Syaoran moved his head back to keep from being slapped by the movements of Sakura's arms while other customers in the restaraunt stared at the couple.
"Sakura!"
Syaoran had no choice. He would have to knock her out. Ruefully, he let her fall into his embrace. Even though he knew that one spot at the back of the neck would cause her to fall limp, he didn't like having to resort to using his training on her. As soon as Syaoran embraced her, he heard a small gasp coming from the side of his neck.
"L-li-kun?"
Syaoran froze. Slowly, he pulled Sakura out of his embrace but kept a firm grip on her in case this was some sort of a trick. Syaoran noticed that her pupils weren't dialated anymore and she was blushing. No one ever blushed in a trance, at least, he has never heard of it.
"Arigat-"
Sakura left of her thanks as her hand shot up to her head. Syaoran panicked.
"Sakura-san, what's wrong?"
"Ohhh. I have a horrible headache."
Sakura moaned in pain.
'So this is what happens after they come out of the trance.'
Syaoran took note of what had just happened before tossing a few bills onto the counter.
"Here. This is the money for our meal. Keep the change. I don't have time for it."
Syaoran cradled Sakura gently in his arms and carried her out of the restaraunt, unaware of the dozen stares that kept their focus on him until he went out the door. Moments after they left, the residents of the restaraunt went back to their meals and conversations. Most of them were discussing what just happened.
"I wonder what was in that pizza..."
*~*
Syaoran gently set her down on her bed. Sakura reached out and received the aspirin and water that Syaoran offered her. After ingesting the medication, Sakura tried to rest while Syaoran gazed at her.
"Arigato, Li-kun," Sakura murmured before drifting off.
Syaoran continued to gaze on at her. He gently took her hand in his.
"Syaoran, Sakura. It's Syaoran," he whispered.
Time slowly drifted by, but at the same time, it flew by as the warrior continued watching over the Card Mistress. The sun set over the horizon, and as the stars began to light their path across the sky, Sakura stirred in her bed.
Her eyes fluttered open. Sakura yawned and stretched when she noticed that someone was holding her hand. The Card Mistress turned to see Syaoran, fast asleep and still holding onto her hand.
"Hoe!"
Sakura jumped in surprise, waking Syaoran. Syaoran lazily cracked open one of his eyes. His eyes opened wide when he realized his previous position. Syaoran did the only thing he could do - he jumped and fell off his chair.
"Li-kun!" Sakura scrambled to his side. "Li-kun, are you all right?"
Syaoran rubbed his head and smiled back sheepishly at Sakura. Sakura blushed and smiled back. Her smile broke into a giggle and then laughter. Syaoran gave her one of his playful glares before joining in her laughter. After all, it was better to laugh along than be laughed at, right? Sakura's laughing stopped. Syaoran was laughing? Just then, a sudden thought yanked her out of her thoughts.
"A Clow Card," Sakura gasped as her pupils dialated, and her trance began again.
Syaoran immediately ceased his laughing and jumped to his feet. Something was terribly wrong with Sakura. There were no more Clow Cards. Sakura had all 53, didn't she? Syaoran quickly grabbed his sword from the dresser drawer and unsheathed it to guard Sakura. Just then, a yawn sounded from Sakura's purse.
"Hey, what's going on here?" Kero slurred sleepily.
Sakura suddenly took a slow step toward the door when Syaoran heard some distant voice.
-Syaoran, help me!-
"Sakura!"
Syaoran whirled around when he realized what was happening. Sakura was being pulled into a trance again. Sakura froze and turned around to face him. Syaoran stared into her eyes - she was still under her trance.
"Don't follow her. She's mine now," came a voice.
Syaoran flinched. It was Sakura who was speaking, and yet it was someone else who was speaking. Kero immediately transformed and jumped to their aide.
"She's being possessed!"
"What!" Syaoran yelled.
Suddenly, everything made sense. Strange magic, the cards acting strange, the strange disappearances, the threat against Sakura, demons and everything all pieced itself to this one mystery.
Sakura turned around and headed back toward the door. Syaoran knew he had to help her. Just as Sakura took a step closer to the door, Syaoran leaped across the floor.
"Sakura!"
Her name became his battle cry as he tackled her to the ground. Syaoran and Sakura tumbled to the floor. Kero snarled at Syaoran as Sakura wriggled and writhed under Syaoran's grip.
"Sakura, Sakura, can you hear me? Sakura!"
Sakura continued to wriggle out of his grasp as Kero stepped forward.
"All right! That's it! Saving her is one thing, but wrestling her to the ground is another. Get off her!"
Kero growled as he fumed with anger. Syaoran rolled his eyes, still keeping his grip on Sakura's wrists.
"What do you think I'm doing? I'm no pervert you overprotective cat!"
Kero glared, his eyes filled with animosity for "the gaki." Before Syaoran could calculate what was going on, he was knocked off of Sakura by one very angry Kero.
Before the two could actually get in a real fight, the door swung open, and Sakura stepped toward the vortex that stood behind it. Kero immediately butted Sakura out of the way, sending her crashing into Syaoran. The vortex cotinued to pull them in. Syaoran wrapped his legs around one of the bed legs and pulled Sakura into a tight embrace to keep her from flying in. Kero used his claws to cling to the wooden floor, but the vortex continued sucking everything in and spitting out the objects it didn't want.
"Keroberos! Hang on!"
Despite Syaoran's encouragement, Kero kept on getting sucked closer and closer to the vortex. Powerful gusts swarmed around the room, throwing things everywhere. Syaoran cringed as a book came sailing toward his head. Kero clutched tighter, but the vortex pulled him closer. Kero claws cut through the boards of the wooden floor as he came closer and closer to the door and the vortex...
"Li! If I don't make it, take care of Sakura!"
Syaoran ignored the comment. He wouldn't hear of it. Taking care of Sakura would be no problem, but sacrificing the life of the guardian beast of the seal? There was nowhere on Earth Syaoran would let that happen.
Kero edged even closer to the vortex. Syaoran had no choice, he would have to use this tactic now! Syaoran stretched out his hand.
"Lightning! Strike from where you are!"
A dresser drawer barely opened, an incantation paper and his sword floated out of the drawer. The spell, activated, sent the sword and the incantation piece floating in front of the vortex. Syaoran used all his strength to strike the vortex with lightning.
"Lightning!"
White, hot streams of light struck the inner parts of the vortex, making the vortex pause for a brief moment before starting back up again. Syaoran quickly called back his sword and incantation just as the vortex started up. It was useless. Even if they closed the door, the vortex would just suck it up and spit it back out at them. Kero clenched his teeth as he tried to sink his claws even deeper into the floor...
+Keroberos...+
Kero's eyes widened. Had he been hearing correctly?
"Clow?"
The few seconds of thought were enough to make Kero lose his concentration. Syaoran at once realized what had gone wrong.
"Keroberos! It's not Clow! That thing could use its voice to imitate others! Fight back!"
Kero's glazed eyes immediately transformed back into their original appearance. Kero dug his claws in the floor again, but it was too late. Before Syaoran could even blink, Keroberos, the guardian beast of the seal, was out the door. Syaoran stared in horror. What just happened? Before long, Sakura began to stir in his arms.
"Li-kun, what's going on?"
Syaoran stared at the closed door. How was he supposed to tell her? Suddenly, a cackling voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"I may have only got the kitty cat, but I'm warning you - I'm coming back!"
The raspy voice cackled once more as it faded away. Syaoran watched Sakura with worry as she realized what had happened.
"Kero? Kero!"
Sakura digged through her purse, opened all the drawers, and searched around the room crying out the name of the guardian beast of the seal, but no matter how hard she tried, no matter where she looked, no matter how loudly she called out his name, he wouldn't appear. Syaoran watched her ruefully as she fell to the ground in dismay. Sakura wept as Syaoran tried to comfort her.
"I'm sorry."
"Leave me alone!" Sakura screamed.
Syaoran winced. He wasn't used to that tone of voice from her, nor was he used to seeing her eyes overflowing with tears. Syaoran embraced her, but Sakura struggled to push him away.
"Let me go! Let me go. Let me go..."
Sakura's cries became weaker and weaker each time until she sank into his arms and let her tears fall. Sakura didn't want him to see her like this. She didn't want anyone to be around her when she cried. Would Syaoran think of her as a weakling? Sakura bit her lip until she felt a wet drop fall onto her face. Sakura looked up and realized that the tear wasn't her own - it was Syaoran's.
"Li-kun?"
Syaoran stared at her. It pained him to see her weep so hard. Maybe it did hurt to watch his cousin disappear. Maybe it did hurt to watch Keroberos disappear. Maybe it did hurt to watch one of his closest friends being torn away from them, but what hurt him the most was Sakura's tears. Syaoran held her close as Sakura hugged him back. Syaoran murmured how Keroberos was taken away as Sakura pictured it in her mind. Silence except for a few occasional sniffles reigned the room. This was certainly not going to be a good day...
A/N: Yep...sad ending...gomen, I had no choice. The good news is, this series is almost done so hang tight!
A/N: From now on, it's going to be a little fast paced. You'll have to keep up and just jog along now. The end is almost near...oh wow, that sounded almost poetic! ^^ Okay...anyways...back to the story!
Disclaimer - Um....Kero-chan...
Kero: Kristy Selean does not own CCS.
KS: Arigato!
Mystery of the Haunted Cabin
Chapter 7
She stood gaping at the spot. He clenched his teeth and balled his fists in anger. Tears streaked from her eyes. Blood threatened to burst from his now pale hands.
"Meilin-chan!" Sakura wailed.
It wasn't fair. What was going on? How did she just disappear between that interval of Tomoyo's capture? Sakura collapsed on the floor and released her tears. She rested her head against the wall. He punched a huge dent in it. Sakura gasped as she saw a crimson shade despite the tears clouding her eyes.
"Li-kun..."
Syaoran froze. She was scared. Sakura was scared...for him. Sakura grabbed the nearest towel and started to wrap his left hand. The warrior watched on as she struggled to get it on him without hurting him and avoiding contact at the same time. Finally, the Clow card mistress prevailed at wrapping up his injuries. Syaoran smiled at her handiwork. It wasn't the best, but it was her sign of showing that she cared.
'She actually cares...for me.'
"I...It's not the best, but it will hold for now." Sakura stuttered.
Syaoran gaped at his now scarlet angel. He could tell she was pretty embarrassed. Maybe he shouldn't have stared so much...
"A-arigato."
Sakura gasped. He thanked her? Mr. High-and-mighty-Li-Syaoran thanked her? Kodak moment!
Syaoran smiled at her adorably confused face. Oh, hold up a sec, there. Syaoran SMILED? Wow! Another Kodak moment. Sakura blushed and smiled back shyly before turning back to the spot.
"Meilin-chan..."
Syaoran immediately turned back. It was amazing how Sakura could just make him forget everything about himself all of a sudden. A droplet on the floor yanked him out of his thoughts - Sakura was crying again.
"We will get you back, Meilin-chan!"
Syaoran watched the hopeful look on Sakura's face as he stared down at the spot that Meilin stood before she disappeared while Sakura remembered the words that Clow had said to her in her dream.
+Have hope, Sakura.+
*~*
White puffy islands floated around in a hot brown ocean of hot chocolate as Sakura stired her drink that Syaoran bought for her. It had been a long night after two of their closest friends were taken away by whatever beast that was out there. Sakura blushed when she remembered that Syaoran fell asleep with his head on her feet while he was still sitting on the stairs of her bunkbed watching over her. The only thing that broke her out of her daydreaming was a small-pitched voice that squeeked from her purse.
"Sakura-chan! I'm hungry!" Kero whined in a half-whisper.
Sakura's eyes widened as she stuffed him back in her purse.
"Be quiet Kero-chan! We haven't even got the food yet!"
Just as she finished her discussion with Kero, Sakura felt a shadow come up from behind her. Syaoran's coughing also assured her that someone was around. Sakura's eyes widened as she slowly turned her head toward the direction of the shadow's owner. Luckily, the waitor had missed the discussion with the stuffed animal. (Kero: I heard that! Kristy: ^^;;)
"Here are your orders. Still, sometimes I wonder why you wanted pizza and french fries up at a ski lodge like this."
The waitor placed their food items on their table before heading off to serve another customer. Sakura took a few french fries off of her plate and shoved it down her purse before starting her meal. The warm food felt wonderful as her energy flooded back to her. Syaoran also felt revitalized by his meal as Kero voiced his muffled opinions in Sakura's purse. Sakura's hands shot to her purse in hopes of muffling the sounds.
"Kero-chan, shut up!" Sakura muttered through gritted teeth.
Unfortunately, that caught everyone's attention. Sakura sweatdropped as she tried to figure out what to do.
"K-kero-chan, there's no such thing as an abominable snowman!" Sakura shouted at Syaoran.
Syaoran blinked a few times before catching on to Sakura's train of thought.
"Oh, I know. I was just testing you."
Slowly but surely, the audience turned back around and continued their previous conversations and dining as Sakura and Syaoran hesitantly returned to their meal. Kero remained strangely quiet after that. (The truth was, Sakura knocked him out by throwing him against the bottom of the table. Don't tell...) It was only a few minutes until anther distraction occurred - another haunting melody.
---
Graceful
Peaceful
Gentle like a fan
I want the swan.
(Ick! Yeah, I'm getting tired of these "melodies.")
---
Something snapped in the back of Sakura and Syaoran's minds. The swan? Now who was it? Someone kind, graceful, and pure...It didn't take long for the two of them to realize who it was. Sakura's eyes widened, and her pupils became dialated. Syaoran jumped to his feet.
"Sakura-san!"
"Li-kun...help me..." Sakura whispered before she completely lost contact.
Sakura slowly took her purse, got up, and headed for the door. Syaoran ran toward the entrance and tried to block her from leaving. Even after barricading the door by standing in front of it, Sakura still approached him. Syaoran stared into her eyes; it wouldn't be long until she reached him.
"Let me through," slurred Sakura in a dazed voice.
Syaoran struggled to hold her back. Just pushing her shoulders only caused her to squirm.
"Sakura-san!"
It was to no avail. Sakura continued her squirming, trying to break through and get out the door. Syaoran moved his head back to keep from being slapped by the movements of Sakura's arms while other customers in the restaraunt stared at the couple.
"Sakura!"
Syaoran had no choice. He would have to knock her out. Ruefully, he let her fall into his embrace. Even though he knew that one spot at the back of the neck would cause her to fall limp, he didn't like having to resort to using his training on her. As soon as Syaoran embraced her, he heard a small gasp coming from the side of his neck.
"L-li-kun?"
Syaoran froze. Slowly, he pulled Sakura out of his embrace but kept a firm grip on her in case this was some sort of a trick. Syaoran noticed that her pupils weren't dialated anymore and she was blushing. No one ever blushed in a trance, at least, he has never heard of it.
"Arigat-"
Sakura left of her thanks as her hand shot up to her head. Syaoran panicked.
"Sakura-san, what's wrong?"
"Ohhh. I have a horrible headache."
Sakura moaned in pain.
'So this is what happens after they come out of the trance.'
Syaoran took note of what had just happened before tossing a few bills onto the counter.
"Here. This is the money for our meal. Keep the change. I don't have time for it."
Syaoran cradled Sakura gently in his arms and carried her out of the restaraunt, unaware of the dozen stares that kept their focus on him until he went out the door. Moments after they left, the residents of the restaraunt went back to their meals and conversations. Most of them were discussing what just happened.
"I wonder what was in that pizza..."
*~*
Syaoran gently set her down on her bed. Sakura reached out and received the aspirin and water that Syaoran offered her. After ingesting the medication, Sakura tried to rest while Syaoran gazed at her.
"Arigato, Li-kun," Sakura murmured before drifting off.
Syaoran continued to gaze on at her. He gently took her hand in his.
"Syaoran, Sakura. It's Syaoran," he whispered.
Time slowly drifted by, but at the same time, it flew by as the warrior continued watching over the Card Mistress. The sun set over the horizon, and as the stars began to light their path across the sky, Sakura stirred in her bed.
Her eyes fluttered open. Sakura yawned and stretched when she noticed that someone was holding her hand. The Card Mistress turned to see Syaoran, fast asleep and still holding onto her hand.
"Hoe!"
Sakura jumped in surprise, waking Syaoran. Syaoran lazily cracked open one of his eyes. His eyes opened wide when he realized his previous position. Syaoran did the only thing he could do - he jumped and fell off his chair.
"Li-kun!" Sakura scrambled to his side. "Li-kun, are you all right?"
Syaoran rubbed his head and smiled back sheepishly at Sakura. Sakura blushed and smiled back. Her smile broke into a giggle and then laughter. Syaoran gave her one of his playful glares before joining in her laughter. After all, it was better to laugh along than be laughed at, right? Sakura's laughing stopped. Syaoran was laughing? Just then, a sudden thought yanked her out of her thoughts.
"A Clow Card," Sakura gasped as her pupils dialated, and her trance began again.
Syaoran immediately ceased his laughing and jumped to his feet. Something was terribly wrong with Sakura. There were no more Clow Cards. Sakura had all 53, didn't she? Syaoran quickly grabbed his sword from the dresser drawer and unsheathed it to guard Sakura. Just then, a yawn sounded from Sakura's purse.
"Hey, what's going on here?" Kero slurred sleepily.
Sakura suddenly took a slow step toward the door when Syaoran heard some distant voice.
-Syaoran, help me!-
"Sakura!"
Syaoran whirled around when he realized what was happening. Sakura was being pulled into a trance again. Sakura froze and turned around to face him. Syaoran stared into her eyes - she was still under her trance.
"Don't follow her. She's mine now," came a voice.
Syaoran flinched. It was Sakura who was speaking, and yet it was someone else who was speaking. Kero immediately transformed and jumped to their aide.
"She's being possessed!"
"What!" Syaoran yelled.
Suddenly, everything made sense. Strange magic, the cards acting strange, the strange disappearances, the threat against Sakura, demons and everything all pieced itself to this one mystery.
Sakura turned around and headed back toward the door. Syaoran knew he had to help her. Just as Sakura took a step closer to the door, Syaoran leaped across the floor.
"Sakura!"
Her name became his battle cry as he tackled her to the ground. Syaoran and Sakura tumbled to the floor. Kero snarled at Syaoran as Sakura wriggled and writhed under Syaoran's grip.
"Sakura, Sakura, can you hear me? Sakura!"
Sakura continued to wriggle out of his grasp as Kero stepped forward.
"All right! That's it! Saving her is one thing, but wrestling her to the ground is another. Get off her!"
Kero growled as he fumed with anger. Syaoran rolled his eyes, still keeping his grip on Sakura's wrists.
"What do you think I'm doing? I'm no pervert you overprotective cat!"
Kero glared, his eyes filled with animosity for "the gaki." Before Syaoran could calculate what was going on, he was knocked off of Sakura by one very angry Kero.
Before the two could actually get in a real fight, the door swung open, and Sakura stepped toward the vortex that stood behind it. Kero immediately butted Sakura out of the way, sending her crashing into Syaoran. The vortex cotinued to pull them in. Syaoran wrapped his legs around one of the bed legs and pulled Sakura into a tight embrace to keep her from flying in. Kero used his claws to cling to the wooden floor, but the vortex continued sucking everything in and spitting out the objects it didn't want.
"Keroberos! Hang on!"
Despite Syaoran's encouragement, Kero kept on getting sucked closer and closer to the vortex. Powerful gusts swarmed around the room, throwing things everywhere. Syaoran cringed as a book came sailing toward his head. Kero clutched tighter, but the vortex pulled him closer. Kero claws cut through the boards of the wooden floor as he came closer and closer to the door and the vortex...
"Li! If I don't make it, take care of Sakura!"
Syaoran ignored the comment. He wouldn't hear of it. Taking care of Sakura would be no problem, but sacrificing the life of the guardian beast of the seal? There was nowhere on Earth Syaoran would let that happen.
Kero edged even closer to the vortex. Syaoran had no choice, he would have to use this tactic now! Syaoran stretched out his hand.
"Lightning! Strike from where you are!"
A dresser drawer barely opened, an incantation paper and his sword floated out of the drawer. The spell, activated, sent the sword and the incantation piece floating in front of the vortex. Syaoran used all his strength to strike the vortex with lightning.
"Lightning!"
White, hot streams of light struck the inner parts of the vortex, making the vortex pause for a brief moment before starting back up again. Syaoran quickly called back his sword and incantation just as the vortex started up. It was useless. Even if they closed the door, the vortex would just suck it up and spit it back out at them. Kero clenched his teeth as he tried to sink his claws even deeper into the floor...
+Keroberos...+
Kero's eyes widened. Had he been hearing correctly?
"Clow?"
The few seconds of thought were enough to make Kero lose his concentration. Syaoran at once realized what had gone wrong.
"Keroberos! It's not Clow! That thing could use its voice to imitate others! Fight back!"
Kero's glazed eyes immediately transformed back into their original appearance. Kero dug his claws in the floor again, but it was too late. Before Syaoran could even blink, Keroberos, the guardian beast of the seal, was out the door. Syaoran stared in horror. What just happened? Before long, Sakura began to stir in his arms.
"Li-kun, what's going on?"
Syaoran stared at the closed door. How was he supposed to tell her? Suddenly, a cackling voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"I may have only got the kitty cat, but I'm warning you - I'm coming back!"
The raspy voice cackled once more as it faded away. Syaoran watched Sakura with worry as she realized what had happened.
"Kero? Kero!"
Sakura digged through her purse, opened all the drawers, and searched around the room crying out the name of the guardian beast of the seal, but no matter how hard she tried, no matter where she looked, no matter how loudly she called out his name, he wouldn't appear. Syaoran watched her ruefully as she fell to the ground in dismay. Sakura wept as Syaoran tried to comfort her.
"I'm sorry."
"Leave me alone!" Sakura screamed.
Syaoran winced. He wasn't used to that tone of voice from her, nor was he used to seeing her eyes overflowing with tears. Syaoran embraced her, but Sakura struggled to push him away.
"Let me go! Let me go. Let me go..."
Sakura's cries became weaker and weaker each time until she sank into his arms and let her tears fall. Sakura didn't want him to see her like this. She didn't want anyone to be around her when she cried. Would Syaoran think of her as a weakling? Sakura bit her lip until she felt a wet drop fall onto her face. Sakura looked up and realized that the tear wasn't her own - it was Syaoran's.
"Li-kun?"
Syaoran stared at her. It pained him to see her weep so hard. Maybe it did hurt to watch his cousin disappear. Maybe it did hurt to watch Keroberos disappear. Maybe it did hurt to watch one of his closest friends being torn away from them, but what hurt him the most was Sakura's tears. Syaoran held her close as Sakura hugged him back. Syaoran murmured how Keroberos was taken away as Sakura pictured it in her mind. Silence except for a few occasional sniffles reigned the room. This was certainly not going to be a good day...
A/N: Yep...sad ending...gomen, I had no choice. The good news is, this series is almost done so hang tight!