Disclaimer: We don't own Tsubasa, meaning we don't own any of those familiar names and people and all that. We do, however, own everyone else. And, uh, the plot.


To Protect You
By: Hane no Miko (link no miko + Koorino Megumi)

Chapter 4: Near and Far

Even though Fei clearly could not see, his steps were sure as he hurried forward into the town. His feet visibly pounded on the cobbled path as he moved, but they made no sound. Sakura, on the other hand, tried to be as quiet as she could without slowing down. Fei was much faster than she was, but he would lessen his pace a bit any time she began to lag. He must have known where she was by the sound of her footsteps because he would pause, lifting his head to listen, and when she was close again, he would continue without a word.

Sakura could tell that his blindness had nothing to do with what had happened to him recently--not unless he had been a phantom for a very long time, which, considering what she had seen from Mei, probably wasn't the case. But even as she reassured herself with those thoughts, she told herself again that whatever had happened to leave Fei in such a state was not something that would happen to Syaoran. Every step they took made her more sure of that.

He won't be a sacrifice. Never!

Fei stopped abruptly, holding out a hand so Sakura would as well. She almost asked what was wrong, but before she could, his blank eyes widened. "We have to get off the path. Hurry!"

She almost hesitated to let him move first before she remembered that anything coming would not see Fei. So, trusting his judgment, she began to sprint sideways, going directly between two houses and through a row of bushes. When she finally stopped, she was completely behind the brush, Fei following after her just as easily as if he had watched her go before him.

They had both just left the road when the footsteps became audible to Sakura. She could not see who was coming down the path without making herself visible through the bushes, but as the people drew close, she heard a boy's voice, followed by raucous laughter and then shushing from his friends.

"It's church," Fei murmured softly, as if he didn't realize he had no need to whisper. "Everyone else is there, but...but they must have snuck out. I'm sorry..."

Sakura's eyes widened, the princess drawing in a soft breath. Daeron and Mei had stressed so much that she couldn't be seen, but all along they had been sending her out when the town would be empty anyway?

They were worried for me and wanted me to be careful...

Fei made a noise, and Sakura turned to the phantom with a questioning gaze, wanting to ask what was wrong but fearful of doing so with the boys still so close.

"There...there are more people," he informed her urgently, "It must be ending... We...we can't stay! Please, hurry! Get away from the buildings! They'll find you. I...I can't help you..."

Sakura nodded, fighting down the fear she felt bubbling through her at his words. She'd made a promise to Daeron and Mei--to herself--that she would find Syaoran. And Fei was trying so hard to help her. She couldn't be caught. She couldn't.

So she turned and crept through the brush, towards the other side of the houses. She could either lie low and wait or take this chance now and make her move. Creeping close to the edge of the bushes, the young princess peeked out, looking both ways quickly before darting out and between two other buildings, Fei close behind.

"Fei-san," she whispered, peering around the edge of the building and preparing herself to dash. "Which way?"

The spirit pointed down the street behind her. "Back that way...and then turn right. It's near the center of town, but..."

Sakura smiled at him. "Thank you." She didn't want to worry him, but it was now or never, wasn't it? And so with a burst of speed, Mokona tucked safely in her shirt, she sprinted out from cover and down the street, hoping she'd make it in time.

She was halfway there when a hand grabbed her from behind, and all she managed was a squeak before another was clamped over her mouth. Sakura struggled against her captor, but the person was far stronger than she was and easily pulled her right off the road. Even though the hand over her mouth kept her from making a sound, inside, the princess was screaming. She had been so close...

"Sakura? Sakura, what happened?"

But she could only watch as Fei tried to determine which direction she'd just disappeared to. Her captor continued to drag her back, bringing her right into a clump of brush off to the side of the road.

What?

"Why, hello there, Sakura-chan," declared a very familiar voice, "It's good to see you again."

"Fye!" cheered Mokona immediately, "Fye is here!"

The person holding her let go then, and Sakura turned in surprise to find that it was indeed their companion the magician who had pulled her off the road. She broke out in a smile, and he smiled back, though he put a finger to his lips. "Shh. We wouldn't want anyone to interrupt us."

"Fye-san, why are you here?" Her voice was low and barely audible, and Fye grinned. He was not, however, the one who answered.

"We've been searching for you since yesterday," Kurogane said gruffly. "And then we found these cowards."

"I am not a coward!"

Sakura's eyes widened at the female voice. "Mei-san...? Daeron-san, too!"

"Shh," Fye said again, smiling. "Meichama and Daeron-kun were waiting outside of town. When we found out they knew you, we asked for their help."

"You called us cowards and threatened us!"

Fye turned to look at the woman, ever-present smile flashing. "No, that was Kurotan. I just said hello."

Mei opened her mouth to reply, but words seemed to fail her, so she simply scowled.

Daeron put a hand on her shoulder, looking amused, and the young woman turned her scowl on him. He grinned at her innocently, then turned to Sakura. "Looks like you ran into a little trouble, huh, princess? Maybe we can help you out a little more after all."

Sakura smiled brightly. "Thank you! All of you."

"Yeah, yeah, let's just hurry up and find that kid so we can get out of here," Kurogane muttered sourly.

"Aww, Kurorin isn't having fun in the new world?"

"Having fun? We're hiding in a bush!"

"Waah, Kurosama is yelling at meee!"

"Would you both be quiet? Someone's going to find us!"

"Mei..."

Sakura's eyes widened at the voice, only then remembering that she hadn't been alone in her journey. "Fei-san..."

Mei let out a noise of surprise, immediately whirling on the princess at her words. "What did you just say?"

Daeron was quick to place a hand on the woman's arm, holding her back. "Mei..."

"Let go, Daeron! Sakura, what did you say?"

The princess blinked and then smiled sadly. Fei stood behind her, still out in the street, sightless eyes staring straight at the silver-haired woman. But before Sakura could say anything, Kurogane stepped past her, sword drawn and expression tight.

"We have to get out of here, now. It took forever to get here; I'm not staying any longer."

"But Kurogane-san," Sakura started, turning to the samurai quickly, "I have to get to the building where Syaoran-kun is!"

Kurogane looked back at her, one eyebrow arched, and Fye stood slowly, his smile gone. "What do you mean, Sakura-chan?"

She looked to the two natives, and Daeron shrugged in apology. "We didn't get the chance to tell them, sorry."

Sakura nodded. "That's okay." And she took a deep breath, turning to her friends.

But before she could speak, her attention was pulled away as Mokona reached up from his spot nestled in her arms, patting her cheek. "It's okay, Sakura. Fye and Kurorin will help us get to him!"

"Kurogane!"

"Sakura-chan?" Fye pressed, "Where is Syaoran-kun?"

Sakura looked at the magician for a moment. His gaze was gentle but concerned, and she realized it gave her strength to see his face again--and Kurogane's, as well.

Our journey really isn't the same without them. I'm glad they found me. But now, we have to save Syaoran-kun!

Breathing deeply again, she replied softly, "Syaoran-kun was captured." Then, her voice growing more shrill than she meant it to, "We have to save him, quickly!"

There was silence for a moment before Kurogane finally broke it with a grunt of assent. "Which way are we going?"

"Sakura?" came the phantom's voice softly, as if he didn't want the others to hear--or perhaps as if he wanted to pretend they could hear if he didn't whisper. "With all the running, I've...I've lost track of where we are. I'm...I'm sorry. But Mei knows. She'll...she'll get you to your friend."

Sakura nodded. "Thank you."

"Just please...could you and your friends keep her safe?"

She nodded again, smiling reassuringly, even though she knew he couldn't see it. "Of course."

"Sakura," Daeron asked, letting go of Mei's arm to hold hers instead, "who are you talking to?"

She turned to face him and Mei at that, unsure of what to do. Mei had reacted so strongly before... But I can't keep secrets, especially if they're helping me find Syaoran-kun. Kurogane and Fye watched her closely, and Mokona snuggled close against her.

"It's okay, Sakura," he said softly, and she nodded.

"Fei-san. He helped me get here. I..." She faltered, looking to Mei. "He called to me, and I found him standing in front of a house... He gave up waiting to help me, so please..." Please keep helping me.

Daeron turned to Mei, confusion and sadness warring for dominance in his expression, but if the woman felt any of what he was, she didn't show it. Instead she stood and walked past the girl, up to join Kurogane at the head of the party.

"We're going to want to go left," she said quietly. "We have to keep following this road, and then join the main one. Once we're there, we turn left again. The building is the center of town--we can't miss it."

"Mei-san..."

"Mei..."

She turned to face Sakura, hands on her hips. "If you just stand there, we won't get anything done. Now hurry up!"

Fye made a cooing sound and clapped softly. "Spoken just like Kuromyuu! Meichin takes charge!"

"Shut up and walk!"

"As you wish, Meichama."

The woman scowled.

As she continued forward, Sakura hurried to catch up with her, but Mei would not look at her, instead keeping her eyes on the road in front of them. "Mei-san..."

"So you talk to ghosts," Mei mumbled tightly, still not making eye contact, "Guess I shouldn't be surprised to hear it, from a girl like you."

Sakura frowned, but Mokona snuggled against her again, and she held him tightly. Thank you.

"So where is he?"

"What?"

"The ghost!"

"Oh. He's..." And Sakura smiled sadly as she saw the phantom move up to walk beside Mei. His blind gaze was locked on her, and his hands were raised slightly, as if he were going to touch her.

"Mei...I'm right here. I'm right with you..."

"Right beside you."

Mei's steps faltered, the woman turning to glance beside her, but she frowned when she saw nothing there, looking ahead again. "Hurry up. The faster we get there, the better."

"Oi," Kurogane said, and Sakura turned to look at him. He wasn't pleased. "The woman's right--we gotta hurry."

Daeron grinned good-naturedly. "So less talking, more running?"

"Was I talking to you?"

"Kurowan, be nice," Fye said cheerily, hurrying to join Sakura and Mei. He winked at both of them, earning a smile from Sakura and a glare from Mei. "He is right, though." Sakura didn't understand the look he gave Mei, but in response, the other woman scowled and increased her pace.

However, Mokona suddenly perked up against her chest, his eyes opening and a loud "Mekyou!" echoing along the street. Kurogane groaned and Daeron "Shh'd", but the damage was done.

Footsteps echoed on the ground behind them, joined by voices, and Sakura felt her heart drop into her stomach. They couldn't be found out, they couldn't.

"This way!" Mei said quickly, echoed almost instantly by Daeron as they both plunged between two houses on the left. Kurogane followed behind, and Sakura and Fye joined them. Fei was still right beside Mei, so close he could touch her.

"Sakura," Mokona whispered as they continued forward, "The feather! The feather is right near here."

The princess smiled, glancing down at the fluffy creature and patting his head. "I know," she said, "But..." And her expression shifted to one of determination. "We have to save Syaoran-kun first."

"You and the furball keep quiet!" Mei hissed from in front of them, "We're getting close."

Sakura nodded, stroking Mokona's ears as the creature smiled contentedly, and continued following their two--or, for her, three--guides deeper into the town.

Syaoran-kun, we'll be there soon!

But they had barely continued on their way before Daeron stopped abruptly, ears twitching, and changed course, veering left between another set of buildings. "This way!" he cried in a whisper. Mei followed without hesitation, so the others did as well.

The shouting behind them never dimmed, but it didn't grow stronger, either, for which Sakura was grateful. And while Daeron led them back and forth between buildings in a haphazard fashion, he soon paused long enough to whisper, "There," and point at a large building.

Sakura's eyes narrowed as she looked at it. It was time.

"C'mon, hurry," the long-eared boy said, dashing up to the building and lunging at the doors. But they remained closed--locked.

"Move!"

Kurogane sliced through the wood easily, and then Daeron kicked the broken doors in before they all filed in quickly. When everyone was inside, Kurogane turned to Sakura and nodded his head. "You go on, we'll hold them off here."

"Wait, 'we'?"

Kurogane ignored Daeron and barked a quick, "Hurry and go!" before turning back to face the entranceway.

For a second Sakura wanted to protest, but then she reminded herself of why she was here. Kurogane was doing this willingly, and she could not let her resolve waver now. Nodding at the samurai's back, she turned without a word and ran deeper into the building.

"Hey, you're going the wrong way!" a voice hissed from behind her, and Sakura turned in surprise to find the silver-haired woman there, waving her toward a hallway on the left. The phantom was still hovering beside her.

"We're close..." he murmured, "We're almost there, Sakura!"

Giving a small, grateful smile, the girl changed course, following the woman and phantom down the other hall.

"Halt-"

All three turned behind them, not so much at the guard's voice as because it had cut off so abruptly. They found Daeron there, hurrying after them as he rubbed the fist that had just connected so solidly with the guard's nose. "You know I don't listen well," he commented with a grin, shrugging even as Mei gave him a dirty look.

"Hmph. Just don't slow us down."

Daeron gave her a look back before darting to the front and starting to lead the way. Mei grumbled softly but said nothing, and Sakura tried hard not to smile.

"Well then," Fye said softly, and Sakura turned behind her to look at him, eyebrow raised. "Kurowanwan is going to need some help. We'll be waiting for you to bring Syaoran-kun back, Sakura-chan."

"Fye-san..."

He waved and then was gone, running back towards the entrance, a grin spread across his face. Sakura watched him go for a moment before turning back around, expression resolute. There was no time to hesitate.

The corridors were longer than she had thought they would be, from the looks of the outside of the building. They passed through many doors, so many she quickly became lost, but Mokona's eyes never closed, and from Mei's determined expression, she knew they must be getting closer to wherever Syaoran was being held.

And then they reached a large ornate door, locked and bolted tightly, and Sakura's hope fell.

"How do we get through...?"

"Let...let me help," Fei said immediately and stepped through the door as if it weren't even there.

"Fei-san!" the princess cried in alarm.

"It's okay," came Fei's voice from the other side of the door, "Tell Mei to...to use her vines. We'll help her direct them."

Sakura blinked in confusion, but then she remembered the vines that the older woman had used to hold her in place once. Does he think they can open the door?

"What is it, little missy?" Daeron broke into her thoughts. The girl turned to find both of her companions staring at her with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Do you have an idea?"

The princess hesitated for a second, but then she nodded, looking at the older woman with determination. "Fei-san...is on the other side," she stated, refusing to stop at the pain that passed through Mei's face at the name. "He says you should use vines. He and I will make sure they open the door."

Mei blinked in surprise, and a mix of emotions crossed her face so quickly that Sakura could not distinguish them. But then her eyes narrowed. "Fine. Daeron, keep watch." And with that, she knelt in front of the door, putting her hands against the floor at its threshold and closing her eyes.

Sakura watched as Mei called her vines, twining them under the doorframe. On the other side, Fei told her directions--right, left, close, far--and she in turn relayed them. Mei's eyes narrowed in concentration, and beside her Daeron worried his bottom lip with his front teeth. They could hear the sounds of fighting coming from far away.

"Ah, wait! W-wait, there's someone here!"

"What?" Sakura couldn't keep her voice from growing shrill with her worry, but she quickly turned to Mei. "Fei-san says to wait, there's someone there!"

"There?" Daeron asked, taking a step forward. "Like a guard?"

"Tell Mei to stop!"

Sakura was about to relay the message when the vines suddenly retracted, pulling tight against the door. Mei's face looked strained, and Daeron yelled at her to stop before something other than the door broke. But she wouldn't listen, and the vines pulled tighter as Fei's yells became almost frantic.

In an instant, the vines were gone, and Mei sagged against the door, breathing hard. "Couldn't...hold them..." she choked out as she tried to catch her breath.

"That's...it's okay, Mei!" came Fei's voice from the other side, "The guard...he wouldn't let you do it!"

But the girl was oblivious to his words. She pulled herself up straight, putting her hands back against the bottom of the door. "All right, I'm trying again."

"No, don't-"

Sakura had no chance to relay that message, however, as, to everyone's surprise, the door abruptly burst open with a flash of light, moving as if it had never been locked in the first place. It revealed Fei on the other side, standing next to a robed man with a sword who looked just as startled as their group.

"Well," Daeron said after a very awkward moment of silence, "that was convenient."

Mokona made a happy noise and hummed, his forehead jewel slowly dimming.

The moment was short-lived, however, when the guard came charging at them, sword held aloft. Sakura sucked in a breath as he ran towards her, not sure what to do, but then Daeron was there, ramming into the man from the side and knocking them both over.

"Run! Get inside!"

Sakura didn't get the chance to reply. Mei grabbed her wrist and pulled her through the broken door and past Fei, who paused only a moment before following closely. Back outside the door, Daeron struggled with the guard, hissing in pain when the man's blade sliced into his upper arm enough to draw blood. The guard sneered and was about to say something when the dark-haired boy reared back and smashed his head into the other man's nose, knocking him out. Dazed but conscious, Daeron stood, wobbled, and then followed after them through the door.

The minute they made it into the room, every member of the group stopped short.

"Syaoran-kun!"

"Fei..."

Daeron just stared.

The sight that they were faced with was not what any of them had expected. In the middle of the room was a very large dome of bright energy, the shadows of a pile of unconscious people just barely visible within it. And on a couch at the head of the dome lay a prone figure--identical to the phantom who still stood beside Mei.

But most surprising was the last figure in the room. He was on a table beside the phantom's body, hands and feet bound to the surface and face contorted with struggle. His body was badly beaten, but even in that condition, the princess could never fail to recognize him.

"Syaoran-kun!"

Daeron moved quickly, looping an arm around the girl's waist to keep her from running. "No, don't! You don't know if it's a trap!"

Mei, on the other hand, didn't even flinch.

"Syaoran-kun!" Sakura struggled, ignoring the boy's protests. She pushed at his arms, trying to make him release her. "Please let go, I have to help him!"

"You can't help him if you're trapped, too!" Daeron gritted his teeth and pulled harder, looking to Mei. "Mei, snap out of it and help me! Mei!"

The woman shook her head quickly, blinking. She turned to look at the other two people, expression distant. "Fei..."

"Mei, snap out of it! Help me!"

She jerked as though struck at that, and then her expression hardened as she nodded. "Right. Leave it to me." Without waiting for a reply, she ran forward, towards the dome and the two figures lying side by side.

"That's not what I meant!" Daeron called after her retreating figure. He sighed in exasperation, although his expression revealed his real worry. "It's probably a trap!"

But Sakura took advantage of his distraction, giving a sudden shove against his arm. Caught off-guard, he wasn't able to stop her as she broke free and ran toward the two prone figures herself.

I have to help Syaoran-kun. I won't let them hurt him any more!

Mei was already standing next to Fei when Sakura reached her, the woman staring down at his ashen face with wide eyes. Close up, they could see that there was a stream of light connecting his body to the shield. And as the princess passed to get to the object of her own worry, she saw the young woman reaching toward it out of the corner of her eye.

"NO, Mei!"

Fei's cry stopped Sakura in place. Mei-san! She gave one more glance at Syaoran, but then turned to the older woman, quickly reaching out to grab her arm. "Not like that," she stated with as much calm as she could muster, even as Mei fought her--even as Syaoran was still lying strapped down! "He says not to."

"I have to free him!" Mei protested, "Fei..."

Sakura shook her head, adamant. "Not like that." After a few grueling moments, Mei finally relented, her arm relaxing in the other girl's hold, and Sakura let out a breath she hadn't been aware she was holding.

Now if she only knew how to free them.

She turned to look at Syaoran. He had no light coming from him, but there was something...off. As though he weren't fully there, or everything about him was dulled. His eyes were squeezed shut tightly, his face stuck in a grimace, and everything in Sakura screamed at her to help him--grab him and pull him away and leave this world, but, like with Fei, she didn't think it wise to touch the boy. Something powerful was happening, and until they found out what it was-

"Oi!"

Both Sakura and Mei turned at the sound of Kurogane's voice. The samurai and magician were running down the hall, no pursuers in sight, but the looks on their faces said that there soon would be.

"What're you doing? Did you find the kid?"

"He's here, but..." Sakura said as the two men entered the room and slowed to a stop beside Daeron. The long-eared boy was staring at the shield, eyes narrowed. Sakura didn't have time to decipher his expression before Kurogane strode over to her, sword drawn.

"Out of the way."

Daeron blinked at those words, turning to Kurogane in surprise. "Hey! Are you crazy? You'll just get yourself trapped!"

The samurai looked at him with narrow eyes, sword still at the ready. "What else are we supposed to do?"

"Not that!"

"Please be careful, Kurogane-san," Sakura added softly, putting a hand on his sword arm, "Too many people are trapped already."

He glanced at her then. "Tch." But he lowered his sword. "So what are we doing?"

No one had a chance to give him a response, however, because the sound of footsteps filled the room then. People were coming their way--a whole group of them.

Kurogane turned quickly, Fye taking a stance in the center of the room. Sakura wasn't sure how the magician planned to fight, but she really had no time to wonder as a group of guards could be seen barreling down the hallway. Mei swore under her breath and Daeron hurried up to join the girls, leaving Kurogane and Fye alone in the center of the room.

"Okay, we have to figure this out fast," he said quickly, looking between Fei and Syaoran and the shield. "But without knowing what's happening to them, that's way too hard to do in the amount of time we have..."

"So we should just smash it!" Mei said angrily.

"Yes, because that's logical. C'mon Mei, we can't just run into this without thinking-"

"Since when did you ever think things through?"

Daeron bristled but ignored the comment. Behind them, Kurogane growled dangerously, telling them to hurry the hell up. Sakura looked down at Syaoran and tried not to listen to the sounds of battle starting behind them.

Syaoran-kun...

And then she gasped, and everything turned hectic as something smashed into her back.