I am Back! My writer's Block has departed and I'm ready to write. All I can tell you is this update is so friggn' late (3.5 months) because of a combination of the flu, writer's block, and AP tutorials. (shudders) So now I'm back and furiously working on the next chapter!-BlueNovaBunny
BNB: Nothing better than celebrating disappearance of writer's block with your New Year!
Ken: New Year? Wasn't that four months ago?
BNB: giggle Ah non-cultural Ken, I was talking about Laos New Year. Go year of the Rooster! drinks liquor
Ken: 0.0 you're not old enough to drink!
BNB: Party time! Wahoo!
Ken: Ah man, she could get more violent…
Phoenix: Here BNB, I brought you the matches you wanted XD
Ken: Noooooo! She's a Pyro!
Disclaimer: BNB will conqueror Japan and capture Clamp, but right now she's too drunk to do a total takeover
Chapter 18: Hi Of the In'you
I have stood frozen for centuries, forgotten by time and beings. He said he was tired of living an empty life and thus I am how I am now. Surely he is not truly dead, but merely regenerating. That retched book did poison his soul knowing what he did to his only love. I feel his power growing, but it feels more youthful then before. I await my master's rising, to free me from this dark prison. Oh how I yearn for the sunshine and my freedom…
Eriol wrapped his palm around the odd parchment, put there centuries before. His other hand gently shook the still form of Tomoyo. The poor girl had fainted when she saw his other half trapped in a transparent stone. He couldn't help but have a half smile at Tomoyo's angelic face. She did look rather cute, but sometimes he preferred to have her eyes crackling with violet fire.
"Lady Daidouji, please wake up or I fear only a kiss will raise you." Before the last words could be uttered, Tomoyo's eyes flew open.
"You will not Lord Hiragizawa! I rather kiss a demon." It was just a gentle pressing of lips, but it left a dramatic blush over her cheeks. A devious grin lit Eriol's face.
"Still think so?" She opened her mouth to say something, but no sound came out. She closed it shut and refrained herself from screaming. Eriol helped her up. She looked curiously at the scroll in his hand.
"What is that?"
"A map." Tomoyo frowned and raised an eyebrow.
"Just a map?" Eriol turned so she couldn't see his smile.
"Just a regular old map that leads to nowhere in particular." Tomoyo sighed and hugged herself. She wished he wasn't so mysterious, but, she couldn't help but give a wry grin, that was what drew her to him sometimes. She was half curious and half-afraid to figure out what was going in his mind right now. ''Probably that kiss. What a jerk…but he is cute.'
"Eriol." He gently put his palm over the hand she had on his shoulder.
"What is it Tomoyo?" He turned and was shocked to see such worry in those violet orbs.
"What game are you playing with Sakura, sorcerer. Could you really forgive yourself if your entertainments hurt her?" For once in his life he was speechless. 'Well, I don't really want to lie to the miss. I guess the truth needs to be told at least once.'
"The map reveals the four locations to the Guardians of the Clow. Because of a promise long ago, I must fulfill my duty and make sure Sakura is the right person be the new Master, or in this case, Mistress of the Clow. She must face and win the battles against these four in order to be accepted. I've met the girl and believe she'll succeed."
"What of the man trapped in that stone? Is he who I think he is?"
"Yes. He was trapped there because he could not handle pain that went beyond any kind of mortal wound. Though he was mortally wounded, his bruises are all healed up now. Now only if his heart could stop grieving, then I believe he would be free to walk into the sunshine." He stepped in front of the still sleeping form. He gently touched the surface of the cool transparent stone.
"If you could only move on, Lord Fujitaka Kinomoto, then you'd be free."
/BREAK/
"Look Syaoran, that cliff over there almost looks like a star…or is it a sun." She cocked her head to the side and pondered as she continued looking at the cliff. Syaoran rolled his eyes and kept walking. He was starting to wonder what her age was. She acted like she'd been sheltered all her life. Sakura ran after Syaoran and tugged on his sleeve.
"Syaoran, please look. I feel something weird radiating form it." He glanced back. There was an irregular shaped cave in the base of the cliff. 'Yes, now that I'm concentrating I do feel something odd about it too.'
"Let's check it out." She pulled back.
"Maybe we shouldn't. Remember the curiosity killed the cat?" He glared at her.
"Are you going to be the new Clow Mistress or not?" Sakura started scathingly right back at him.
"I am! It's just…there might be some ghost in there!" Syaoran scoffed.
"Whatever's in there is definitely more dangerous than a ghost. So let's move it and go in." Sakura sighed.
"Great that just made me feel braver." She muttered to herself and followed him into the cave. Her pupils dilated as they adjusted to the pitch black cave.
"Syaoran. Syaoran where are you? I'm not kidding! Syaoran—Gah!" She squinted her eyes at the bright light.
"Where did you get that torch?"
"I found it in a chamber farther in. When I saw that you weren't behind me, I assumed you were still near the entrance. C'mon, I sense the beast is near the back of the cave." Sakura sighed and followed his lead. Her feet struggled on the uneven ground.
"Whoa!"
Syaoran grunted as he felt Sakura's weight fall on him. His arm instantly wrapped around her waist.
"You okay?" She leaned no his arm and gave him a radiant smile.
"Not really. I think I sprained my ankle. If only this darkness would go away, then I probably wouldn't have this problem."
"But we're in a cave, so it can't be helped." She glanced at him from the side.
"I think we can. When we entered the cave, I thought it was unusually dark. Even with the torch, we can only see a hand's width out. I think it's a Clow gem."
"A Clow gem, but how?"
"Just my instinct Syaoran, trust me." He decided to take her advice and concentrated harder. He felt nothing.
"There's nothing here," he scoffed, "lets keep moving." Sakura gave a disappointed sigh and kept walking. Well, limping actually. After a few minutes of agonizing silence, she couldn't keep quiet anymore.
"Did Clow create anything besides the gems?" Syaoran glanced back at the girl, and decided for once to answer her question. The answer would come out later anyways.
"I came here to find the map that reveals the trapped locations of the Four Guardians. They were created by Clow to make sure his powers weren't misused. They say that the Four Guardians have the most powerful Clow gems working under them."
"Did they say how Clow trapped these powerful Guardians?" He shook his head.
"No. The history behind his power is a little fuzzy because it was so long ago."
"I think he used a Clow Gem to trap the Guardians."
"What makes you say that—"
"Syaoran!" Sakura gasped as she saw a shadow take form. It had grabbed Syaoran by the foot and had him dangling over a sharpened jut.
"Sakura throw me my sword!" She searched along the darkened floor and cut herself on an object. Her hand grasped the handle and she flung it towards him, hoping he would catch it.
Syaoran clasped the handle and reached into his pocket, wrapping and ofuda scroll along the blade's edge.
"Lightening!" The dark Clow gave a silent shriek and flung him across the cavern. Sakura gasped as the lightening bolts illuminated the cave. Her hand tore the necklace resting on her chest. A nonexistence breeze surrounded Sakura as the Clow glyph shimmered under her feet. She gave the shadowed figure a fierce scowl. Her face cleared as she realized the identity of the Clow power.
"From the power of Clow Reed you stem
I command you to return to your form of gem…
Shadow!"
The Clow power a submissive bow to Sakura before returning a swirling ebony gem in Sakura's palm. She hurried to Syaoran's side. He groaned as she felt along his ribs to make sure he didn't break anything. She noticed that the only minor injury was him reopening his arm wound.
Another groan tore form his throat as he leaned against the wall and used his sword to balance himself. Sakura was quite surprised when she saw a faint smile form on his lips.
"That wasn't so bad for my first time helping you capture a Clow Gem." A faint chuckle escaped him. Sakura couldn't help but join him in his mirth.
"Well now that it's over, I suggest we get out of here."
"Yeah." Sakura helped Syaoran up. Their steps froze as they heard a strange rumbling coming form the back of the cave.
"So I am finally free! Who dares to deify Clow's power and free me? Is it you Clow Reed?" Sakura backed away until she ran into Syaoran. Amber eyes glowed from an angle at a top-left slope and danced until it was staring right at her. She gulped the facial features were shaped like a giant cat. It was a giant cat! A scream erupted form her throat.
The giant cat backed off and shook it its head in agony.
"Will you be silent!" The thing roared in Sakura's face. She shut her mouth as she realized an enormous cat was talking to her…and sniffing her!
"You smell like something familiar…but what?" The thing continued to sniff her. "I sense Clow Reed presence from you, but it can't be. Unless…no. It can't be possible…No!" he roared into Sakura's ear. The thing gave her a fierce growl. "If it most be so, then I'll have to fight you as commanded by Clow Reed."
"W-what?" Syaoran pushed her protectively behind him.
"If you want her, you have to go through me first." The big cat snorted at Syaoran.
"So must it be." Fire swirled towards them. They barely managed to dodge the flame as Syaoran flung them aside. He cushioned Sakura and landed on his back. They rolled behind a rock as more spirals of heat licked at their heels. Sakura cried out as a rock slammed into her sprained ankle.
"I'll distract him, and you capture him." Sakura shook her head
"Syaoran, this isn't a Clow Gem. It's something else. I think it's one of things we spoke of earlier before entering the cave."
"A Guardian?" She gave a light nod.
"Damn." He shook his bangs from his eyes. "The thing mentioned something about being commanded by Clow Reed. I think you're supposed to fight him, Sakura."
"Fight him!" She pointed in horror at the fire breathing bastard. "That's impossible and I'm hurt!" Syaoran rolled his eyes.
"Quit whining, I know you can do this. I've seen that you can handle this." He lifted up her chin. "You can do this."
"Syaoran…" For a moment, nothing mattered to her but just the man kneeling in front of her. She could feel her heart speed up, hoping that the young lord couldn't hear the tell tale thump. Heat seeped up to her cheeks. Possibly it was the blush now creeping up her cheek or the flame charging between them.
Both of them fell the other way to avoid the inferno. Sakura sprinted as the cat was coming after her.
"Sakura," he shouted, "I think the Shadow gem is what imprisoned him! Use it!"
"I think it's going to take more than one gem to beat him," she yelled back.
"Then use what you have!" Sakura clasped her side and gasped for air. Syaoran was right; she had to use what she had.
"In the form of gem made
by Clow's binding spell
come to my needed aid
before great trouble tells…
Windy! Shadow! Watery! Jump!"
Wings appeared on the soles of her feet and Sakura air somersaulted above the cat's head. From her ledge she could see Watery and Windy combining attacks against the feline. The cat let out a furious hiss before collapsing on the rocky ground. Shadow moved in and created a shadowy prison. Sakura jumped from the ledge and landed with a wince in front of the cat.
The Guardian gave an exhausted sigh, and lay docilely in front of her.
"It seems you have defeated me and I'm yours to keep."
"Who are you?"
"Keroberos, the Guardian of Light. I was created by Clow Reed, and put here centuries ago. When Clow Reed put me in here, he commanded that I must submit to a new Master when they defeated me. So now I must follow you."
"Follow us," Syaoran argued, "You're even bigger than my horse and will attract attention." Syaoran wasn't sure, but he suspected the Guardian was giving him an annoyed look.
"I can become travel sized." And as to prove his point, the great Keroberos shrank into a puny stuffed toy animal.
"Aww, you're so cute." Sakura cuddled the animal. "Here, have a jerky." The little animal gave the jerky a cautious sniff, before chomping down on the offered meat. He barely missed Sakura's finger, although the girl was oblivious.
"What? That's our food! Don't feed it!" The two beings continued to ignore the enraged Chinese man and Sakura fed another Jerky to Kerberous."
"You know Kerberous, since you've shrunk; I think your name should be Kero so it shrinks too."
"Kero, hmm?" The little guardian pondered. "Sounds great!" Sakura gave him a brilliant smile. Syaoran stared in disbelief as the two got along so well when moments before they were trying to kill each other.
"I'm not going to let a stuff toy follow us around," Syaoran roared as he continually pointed Kero in the stomach. Too bad he was too slow to avoid Kero chomping down on his finger.
"Stupid Chinese brat! I'm supposed to follow my mistress which is Sakura!" Sakura gave a nervous giggle as she had to play referee between the two. When they finally made it outside of the cave, an idea popped into her head.
"Hey Kero, how many gems did I gain when I defeated you?"
"I'm not sure, but those that deal with light are under my control."
"Do you know where the other Guardians exist?"
"No, but I know some of the gems can pinpoint you the direction. For existence, did you just capture Darkness?" Sakura nodded. "Well Darkness is a twin gem linked to Light. I'm pretty sure Light has imprisoned the Guardian of the Moon."
"Guardian of the Moon?"
"Yes, as I am the Guardian of the Sun. The Guardians are something like an in'you."
"Well at least I have a plan now. If I defeat all the guardians, then my Clow Gem collecting will be almost over." Sakura winced as she placed too much weight on her sprained ankle.
"Here, let me help you." She gasped as a glow from Kero surrounded her ankle The ankle was fully healed.
"Hey if you can heal my ankle, then you can heal Syaoran's wounds…"
"No."
"But…"
"No. Suffering is a form of humiliation, and boy does the Chinese brat need it. Never seen so much pride as Yue."
" Yue?"
"Never mind." Sakura gave an exasperated sigh as Kero flew ahead to annoy Syaoran even more. This is going to be a long trip…
He opened one pale lid and gazed at the darkness surrounding him. If he looked from the corners of his eyes, he could the stark whiteness of his prison. The freedom was coming near. Then the pain would begin.
He had always blamed the girl for his demise but as centuries passed; he had come to blame both of them. He had always adored his Master through silent glances and silent messages, but then she came along. She made you glow and I wanted it; I wanted her
I accepted my fate because the guilt of forbidden love but I have atoned for my sins and I am ready to seek my revenge for the unnecessary pain caused. Yes, out of the light and into darkness…
in'you (n) cosmic dual forcesyin and yang; sun and moon
hi (n-adv,n
-t) sunsunshineBNB: Finished chappie, but fight scene disappointed me. Maybe I should rent the 3rd movie of Lord of the Rings and watch the fighting scenes…Yes; I haven't watched the 3rd movie yet.
Ken: Heh, would have been better if Kero killed Touya then it would be me and Yue: P
BNB: Man never gives up… Anyways, now for reviews.
Atheal – I really appreciate it that you like my story and that you find my off-beat humor amusing, though I wonder now if it is off beat?
sakura koi – I'm really glad you brought that up. They're going to show up in chapter 19 because I really enjoy writing about them. Though the stuff between Eriol and Tomoyo is getting quite fun to write too.
FYI – Yes, that is my favorite song form the movie and after seeing the movie 10 times, I decided that song would be perfect for ch. 7 Sorry about the names, but I know in Japnese/Chinese culture, the word can have same meaning or is written the same, but the pronunciation is different.
Auroratwin – I'm so sorry I confused you. It was based in the future of the real manga. Notice the couples? They are the same as in the manga. I just felt like writing a short ficcie around the holiday, but wanted to keep the ages of the characters in my story. Confused? Good, because I'm kinda confused too. ;) I don't mind about you badgering me because that usually makes me work harder to get the next chapter out…though I'm not saying I want flames or anything like that…
Vi3t Babii – Yeah, I'm thinking I should've posted as a different story, but I wanted to try another type of writing for my readers. I was actually really happy when I finished because it had more emotion and character depth that I usually don't put into Of War and Magic. Cheers me up to have a review from my Loyal Reader!