Well I promised another chapter today and I keep my promises so here is the next chapter and it is longer than yesterdays.

I do not now nor have I ever owned Card Captor Sakura.

Of War & Prophesy

Rain

Syaoran had fallen into a pattern, every other day he sparred with Senka. The boy was definitely a prodigy, his voice hadn't even changed yet and he was all ready as skilled as the eighteen year old Syaoran. Senka was the best sparring partner he had ever had, but he was obnoxious. The boy continued to cuss like crazy as if trying to prove something, and in every matter, other than fighting, he was completely reckless and more than a little dense. He hardly talked about anything else.

Sakura on the other hand was the complete opposite. She was as delicate as the blossom she was named after, and the kindest girl he had ever met. He once saw her in the kitchen helping the maids with clean up, even doing something as mundane as dishes she was still proud and graceful, every bit the princess. The days he wasn't training he spent with her for he found it relaxing.

She took him horseback riding, showed him the plants and animals native to the forest and taught him about her people. She was one of the most interesting and beautiful girls he had ever met. The only problem was that her perfectly composed nature gave him the creeps. She was nice but he couldn't stand to be around her for more than a few hours at a time. Plus her brother never seemed to be far away and he was always glaring.

"I can't take this much longer!" He was pacing his room as Eriol watched Tomoyo and Sakura through the window. "Being here is driving me nuts!"

"Tomoyo is so beautiful."

Syaoran threw a book at him. "Are you even listening to me?"

"Ow! Of course, I caught every bit of your whining!"

Another book was launched across the room.

"Ouch!"

"I'm not whining! You're just upset because I interrupted your admirations of Tomoyo. Why don't you just nail her and get it over with?"

Eriol stood up rage burning in his blue eyes and glasses flashing angrily. "Don't you ever belittle my relationship with Tomoyo like that again!" He left the room without another word leaving Syaoran alone to brood.

He stalked over to the window and looked and looked up at the cloudy grey sky which reflected his mood. "Is it too much to ask that everything just fit together like it's supposed to?"

---

That night it began to rain making Syaoran feel even worse. He had fought many battles in the rain and they had all been miserable. Storms always brought back bad memories. Little did he know that the people of light saw it very differently.

The next morning he was jolted awake by the loud crash of thunder, but as he sat there listening to the sound of falling rain he heard voices. He looked out the window and was surprised to see the people of light laughing as they danced in the rain.

He threw on his clothes and went outside being careful to remain under the cover of the buildings so that he wouldn't get wet. It was the strangest thing he had ever seen; women, children and husbands all dancing in the rain running, laughing, shouting, singing and leaping in the water. A group of people pulled out drums and began to beat them in a wild rhythm, more and more drums appeared and took up the beat water jumping off the tight skins as people hit them with mallets and hands.

Syaoran was surprised to see Fujitaka dancing with everyone and Touya joining the drummers with wild enthusiasm. The biggest shock of all was when he saw Eriol dancing with Tomoyo, in fact many of his people had joined the frenzy.

Sakura ran up to him green eyes sparkling with excitement. She was soaked and her blue dress clung to her skin. "Join us Syaoran!"

"Join you in what? I don't understand what's going on."

"We're celebrating the rain!" She grabbed his hands and pulled him out into the open.

"Why?"

"Because the rain brings life and change!" With that she began to dance. For a while he just stood and stared at her. She was no longer wearing the mask of a perfect princess, for the first time she was free. Then he was dragged into the dance when her small hands grabbed his. She was surprisingly strong and wouldn't let him go so he grudgingly picked up the beat and began to dance.

In that moment something wonderful happened. As he looked into her smiling eyes he didn't feel so self conscious anymore. He connected with her on a level that most strove for years to achieve. It was suddenly easy to follow her movements and the dance became wilder. He listened to her musical laughter and smiled then for the first time in years he laughed. For that one glorious moment he was no longer Prince Syaoran, greatest fighter in the dark army, destined to bring peace to the troubled world. He was just Syaoran, an eighteen year old boy dancing in the rain with a beautiful sixteen year old girl.

The dance grew wilder and people started to howl to the skies after each thunder crash. Then they all started to call Sakura's name and she stepped away from him. He could sense the powerful magic flowing around her as she began to dance. At her movements the water on the ground rose into the air and began to flow in beautiful patterns. The drums pounded faster and faster and she followed the tempo flawlessly manipulating the water with ease. Finally when it seemed the drums could get no faster she formed a ball of light then threw the water into the air and made it burst into hundreds of droplets. The light danced through them so that they sparkled like diamonds. The drums stopped as the sparkling water fell toward the cheering crowd. It strongly reminded Syaoran of Senka's sword dance.

---

The rain continued through most of the day and with it the celebration. People hardly ate or rested as the storm went on, the wild energy sustaining them. Things didn't calm down until the storm turned into a calm steady rain. Many people sat on the ground to eat and rest, the few dancers that remained had switched to a slow graceful dance.

Syaoran collapsed next to Eriol and Tomoyo and took some of the food that was being passed around. Like everyone else he was sopping wet and spattered with mud so it didn't bother him in the least to sit on the wet ground. He watched Sakura as she continued to dance. Eriol stared at him, a look of shock plastered on his face.

"What's wrong with you Eriol?"

"You're smiling."

"So?"

"You never smile."

"Yes I do."

"Fine, but it is never a happy one. Usual when you smile people immediately start to run."

Syaoran's face became more serious. "There has been very little in my life to smile about."

Eriol nodded in understanding. "I'm surprised you even joined the dance. It doesn't seem like you."

"I was dragged in by Sakura, but once you start it's difficult not to get carried away by their energy. Although I don't understand why they dance in the first place."

"I was wondering the same thing. Tomoyo can you please explain this to us?"

"In our culture nature is sacred; plants, animals, and people are all living things that deserve high praise. Water not only represents the endless cycle of life but also sustains it. We worship the rain because it is a symbol of life and change."

Syaoran turned to look at Sakura. Her arms were stretched to the sky and she was spinning. Her head was tilted upwards and a smile graced her lips as her green orbs toward the heavens, water falling softly around her.

He smiled as Tomoyo's words came to mind. She had changed, the rain had given her the passion and liveliness he had been unable to see before. Sakura was no longer a doll like figure, she had become a real person.

He was so busy noticing the changes in Sakura that he failed to notice the changes in himself. Sakura on the other hand did notice. The smiling, the laughter even the casual way he carried himself. All were signs that the wounds in his heart, from years at war, were finally beginning to heal.

The rain had given them both a wonderful gift. The chance to see behind the masks that the other had so carefully constructed in order to protect their fragile hearts. Yes the rain was truly a wonderful thing.

And that's all folks. I rather like this chapter because the relationship between Sakura and Syaoran begins to grow and change. As I was typing this up I realized that I did not spell check yesterday and I apologize for exposing you all to my horrible spelling abilities.

So far only one person has made a guess at my plot twist and I am sorry to say that Meako XIII was incorrect. Senka is part of the Dark Prophesy and there for must survive. Good guess though and I'm glad that you like my story enough to question what is going to happen. In my opinion that is the highest complement a writer can receive. The knowledge that your story has sparked the imagination of someone else. Keep the guesses coming, I can't wait to find out if I hid it as well as I think I did.

Next chapter coming at you soon and this one is where the story really gets started. It's called War Plans, so all you action fans can get ready for a little more fighting. Until next time ja ne!