Chapter Twenty-Two: Sakura's Flight
Sakura watched the moon, thoughts streamed through her mind with no apparent start or end. She sighed and gently let a piece of paper fall from her hand, she watched as it slowly drifted down to rest on a neatly made futon. The dark lettering of the note contrasted the snowy white cloth. She looked around herself and checked to make sure that everything was neatly put away that nothing was out of order or place.
Good, it looks as if no one has inhabited this place. She thought as she silently sneaked out of her room. Ever since the letter, she had felt as if she was playing an insignificant role in the palace, at least there would be something to do if she searched for the king's son and his friends. Sakura looked at the glossy grey palace, memories of when she had first arrived slipped into her mind unbidden. Sleek tears rolled down her cheeks, like dark seals sliding into the ocean without the slightest hint of effort. She forced herself to look away, chiding herself for letting her emotions overcome her.
Milky light enshrouded her blurry form, altering it and rapidly spinning to engulf her within its light. Suddenly, the light shattered sending thousands of tiny shards of light spinning into the darkness. From within its cocoon rose a silvery serpent with a cherry-pink mane. Sakura watched the world around her with elegance and poise.
Her sparkling opal pendent softly rest against the glittering scales on her neck. She looked at the moon and leapt into the sky and soared ever higher towards the glowing moon. Level with the horizon, if not above it, she set off in the direction of Swamp's Bottom and Zeniba's abandoned cabin.
Sakura was bathed in the moon's serene light, her opal set ablaze with thousands of different swirling colors. Her golden eyes glinted as she calmly watched the landscape below her. Hundreds of streams twisting and winding, dozens of trees waving their long arms into the sky, and millions of colors all intricately woven into one another. A dazzling filigree of Nature, and of the spirits that resided within Her varying forms, woven to create the beautiful world that lay below her. All linked to one another, all dependent upon each other for survival.
Though she her travels did not require for her to wander into the Human World, and she had seen very little of it; she supposed that it was the same in the other realm, an inference justified by both her experiences there and what she saw below her now. A delicate web spun by nature, all to be destroyed by one spirit with evil intent, one spirit who wished to rule both realms for his own good and not the good of others.
An assortment of clouds of differing densities and shapes obstructed her from her destination. Occasionally, she would fly through them or hide behind one for her own amusement. It would be a while before she would reach Swamp's Bottom. From below she was only a lone figure sailing through the sky, a curving line aimlessly wandering across the surface of the circular moon. To other only a dream that vanishes through the mysterious ways of the mind.
Sakura was content, all fears and thoughts that had accompanied her in the palace were nothing but obsolete wisps of thoughts that were slowly eroding. A strange sense of urgency accompanied her as she flew through the desolate night sky a feeling that someone was intently watching her, someone with an evil intent.
Concealed in a small clump of bushes below her, was a dark dragon its ruby eyes shimmered with excitement. Soundlessly, it slid out of the bushes and soared into the chilly wind. Sakura eyed the dragon cautiously; the distance between them was far too great for her to see if it was friend or foe.
Stealthy, the dark dragon spiraled towards the moon, its bristling mane snapping viciously. His eyes focused on its goal, her reflection cast within his dark maroon eyes. Sakura watched him, her tail instinctively twitching and slowly snaking towards him. Her opal pendent began to flash with a thousand alternating colors, faintly at first then more and more ominously as the dragon crept closer and closer.
The dark dragon blinked, and snarled his challenge, dodging Sakura's tail with unprecedented ease. With the speed of a silvery wolf assaulting its prey, he lunged towards her his jaws opened to reveal a dozen sharp and deadly teeth. Sakura leapt higher into the sky, narrowly avoiding her enemy's vicious teeth. Her eyes flashed angrily as she immediately dived towards the earth with the speed and ease of a hunting falcon. With the speed and grace of a fox the dark dragon shot upward.
Sakura stopped into midair; seconds after the dark dragon soared into the indigo sky, and summoned a translucent ball of icy energy. Effortlessly, she aimed the ball at her foe and smirked when he howled with anguish as it tore into the coal-black serpent. The ball of icy energy immediately shattered amid the darkened scales of the dark dragon, a few fragments remained lodged between the scales giving the appearance of a shimmering sea of darkness. The dragon bit and tore at his scales in a feeble attempt to dislodge the icy shards as they sent icy tendrils snaking through his body the discomfort and pain caused by these glittering crystals was unbearable.
Distracted from Sakura, she swiftly flew away solemn eyes frequently gazing at the scene behind her, a fear that he would follow or others of his kind were secretly watching her embedded itself within her mind. She could think of nothing else for the fear was too great, and too prominent, to be ignored. I can't go to Swamp's Bottom. The thought absently flooded her mind. They'll just follow me there, there must be someplace else where I can stay and recuperate before heading there.
Instinctively she veered southward, toward the once famous bathhouse of Aburaya, now a desolate and frightening place where many of the Evil One's warriors dwelled. Few dared approach it for fear of the enigmatic evil charms and spells that surrounded the building as well as the dark and mysterious spirits that would on occasion emerge from within its shadowy depths.
A dark orb set far off in the distance was one of the things that alerted her to its location. Strange forms and shapes lingered amid the haunting sphere, Sakura unexpectedly shivered, small tremors snaking throughout her silvery body. Her opal's glow was faint, no more than a tiny flame flickering rapidly among endless shadows. Its pale and undetectable light caused the scales on her neck to glow with an ominous dimming rainbow.
The proximity of the deserted building frightened her as she slowly crept closer and closer to the bathhouse. She knew that Kamajii, the friendly spider spirit that had helped both Haku and Chihiro, was still present in the building. Yet she did not know of his current situation, or where he was kept within the building.
A smoky vaporous orb suddenly appeared before her; upon its glittering surface were several strange markings, many of which had meanings she could not unravel. A disembodied and weary voice slowly emerged from the luminous ball. "Who is it that dares enter the dwelling place of the loyal servants of the Lord of Darkness? Speak your name and purpose into this sphere and prepare to be greeted by the guardian spirits."
Sakura blinked as a reply slowly formed within her mind. I must be in the wrong place, my apologies. I do not wish to trouble the army of darkness as it was not my intent when I came here. I have not been myself these past few days, my river was destroyed a few days ago and I was searching for a new home. I thought that there might be a nice creek or something for me to rule around these areas. Again my apologies, I shall leave now sorry again for disturbing you. She flew away from the building, towards Swamp's Bottom. Behind her the clouded surface of the orb rippled as it released a veil of smoky vapors. The vapors gradually drifted away to reveal an empty void.
Thoughts snaked throughout her mind, plans as to what to do and where to stay. She did not wish to return to the palace if there was somewhere else for her to stay. Sakura's eyes glittered as she thought; endless possibilities laid behind each plan, different selections meant different fates. Only a handful of the choices she faced would lead to events that she wanted to occur.
Her form illuminated by the circular moon, she aimlessly flew in large circles, occasionally practicing acrobatic aerial maneuvers. Thousands of thoughts and plans streamed through her mind, endless choices all clamoring for attention like a nest of hungry chicks. What am I to do? If I go to Swamp's Bottom, they'll only follow me there, unless I take a more enigmatic and mystifying route. The thought lingered in Sakura's mind. Steadily, a reasonable plan was formed, every detail precise and agonizingly clear. A plan in which its very foundations depended on the accuracy of the situation to function correctly, an adjustment no matter how slight would mean certain impending doom for her.
It's a chance I'll have to take. She thought to herself as she swiftly sailed across the sky towards Aburaya. As she expected the same luminous ball appeared out of a thin mist that had trailed from the darkened shield around the bathhouse. Just as the same ghastly voice was about to speak, Sakura smashed her tail against the ball. It shattered into hundreds of black crystals, falling onto the land below and emitting a thin plume of blackish smoke as they fell.
The wind howled with greater intensity, dark shadows and shapes emerged from the dark orb. Why did you do it? What have you wrought upon our race? You shall pay for what you have done. Thousands of voices all were whispering the same thing. Instinctively, a low growl emitted from her throat, and the opal started to flash. Its multi-colored light stunned most of the spirits spiraling towards her.
She grinned. Everything was going exactly as she planned. Rapidly, she soared into the air dodging the attack the dark spirits had amassed. Dark flames exploded around area she had once occupied sending waves of superheated air tinted with black charging towards her. Twisting and looping to avoid the most vicious areas of the oncoming waves, Sakura managed to escape them unharmed.
Her intelligent golden eyes shone with the brilliant aura of the moon. Its light magnified by her intense eyes so great was her anger and power. Her milky aura intensified, creating a supernatural sphere of light swirling around her. Enraged and spurred by the attack she roared her carefully worded challenge. Abate from this realm and the other demons of nature, curse of the Earth, hated creatures. Take your misery and darkness elsewhere, away from the lands of light and peace else you will suffer for what you have wrought upon our lands and its inhabitants.
A low hiss emerged from the lips of her opponents, infuriated by her words they charged towards her in an awesome display of force and power. Sakura watched intently, motionless as if petrified from the great power entombed within the dark force's assault. Thoughts streamed through her mind, calculations of speed and momentum, she waited ever patiently for the exact moment in time she could escape without fear of a redirection of attack or of an actual hit whether it was physical or magical.
Just a few more seconds… a few more second… NOW! She bolted from her motionless stance eastward as if flying towards the palace. As she expected, the army of dark spirits halted and reorganized themselves before chasing her. Balls and streams of dark magic sailed towards her, with matchless elegance and agility she avoided all magical attacks aimed at her. Every loop and swirl delicately planned; even if charging streams of black flames missed her by only a millimeter as she expertly executed every aspect of her plan.
The opposing force snarled with distaste and frustration as they watched Sakura dodge their attacks as if she was dancing in the air. A sense of confusion and fear rippled through the vast number of evil spirits like an unavoidable wildfire, how could she dodge every one of their attacks without tiring? If her power was as great as it seemed, how efficient would she be in destroying the numerous quantity of spirits opposing her?
Unbidden a small grin emerged on Sakura's face as the number and intensity of her opponent's attacks decreased sharply. The first phase of her strategy was complete; soon it would be necessary to start the second phase. Her opal's glittering light peaked with greater intensity and force, its glow causing an unbearable sensation of an overpowering storm of fire and ice that seared her form spreading with the speed of a rampaging horse. She shook involuntarily, and growled afterwards choosing to ignore the discomfort and pain caused by her opal. She could and would bear it.
Murmurs and whispers passed through the opposing force in great waves. Was it possible that their enemy wasn't as invulnerable as she seemed and they supposed? Cautiously a single brave dark dragon aimed a ball of dark fire at Sakura, his eyes glowing with the unproven perception of what was to come.
As she was very attentive and sensitive to her surroundings, Sakura turned around and summoned a stream of howling wind with the power of her opal. The gust blew the ball back towards its owner, fortunately weakening it before it hurtled with surprising force and speed into the chest of the dark dragon. He staggered backwards into a spirit who was watching behind him with a dull thud. The dark forces looked at the young dragon in great shock, their enemy was indeed as powerful as they had originally suspected.
Sakura looked at the dark dragon, though the ball of dark fire had been significantly weakened before it hit him, it still had enough force left in it to leave him unconscious when it hit. There was a steady hiss of worried murmurings streaming towards her attentive ears; a small grin brightened her solemn countenance.
She watched as the large mass of dark spirits started to shift uncomfortably. A few of the more courageous ones moved towards the front as the weaker and more anxious one traveled towards the back of the large pack of spirits. The silent whisper of the wind was heard above the silence that overshadowed Sakura and her foes.
Thoughts and calculations streamed through her mind at an astonishing rate. Several dark spirits hissed as they watched her shift and weave through invisible obstacles towards them. With an incredible burst of supernatural speed she flew upwards into the indigo sky and the pale silver moon.
The dark force looked around themselves with great confusion, for their hated enemy had disappeared from their sight. Where was she? What could she be doing? A sudden explosion from the northwestern side stunned the spirits. Howls and screams of pain and suffering emerged seconds later from that region, withering and weakened spirits swiftly fled from the battle towards Aburaya and the safety it offered.
Sakura watched with unwavering eyes as again the pack of spirits readjusted themselves. Now was their most vulnerable time, now was the perfect time to attack. Concentrating intently on her opal and its endless powers as it started to glow a spiteful hue of darkened ruby, she summoned a plume of golden flames racing towards the dark mass stirring below her. Another dreadful howl arose from the hated spirits as they tried to defend themselves with a dark shield that managed to dissipate most of the flames.
Another blast should do it combined with ice and wind. She thought as she once again concentrated on the unlimited powers of her opal. Below her the dark spirits were busy creating another shield, a dark orb that surrounded them from all possible attacking areas. Small spheres of dark flames ominously dotted the outer edges of the orb, occasionally they would move to another area like tiny sentries.
Tiny sparks surrounded the silvery dragon as she summoned a strong blast of wind, ice, and fire. The wind swirled around the orb, absently destroying the spheres of dark flames. The ice and fire spiraled towards the orb breaking through its rapidly weakening barrier and hurtled itself towards the undefended dark forces.
Each spirit bitterly fought the blast using their own powers, yet none succeed in their quest. Sakura watched joyfully as a large explosion blasted many of the spirits from their position and as its powerful shockwaves destroyed the remnants of the dark shield and army. She grinned and flew away before anyone would notice her. Threading through endless clouds and streams of steam that was left over from her attack, she flew towards her true destination.
Below her lone train tracks wove through a landscape of endless green. Meadows filled with luscious grass and delicate wildflowers. She flew past abandoned buildings and houses with thatched roofs. A sense of pride and accomplishment flowed through her like the waters of a mountain stream. She had done what few would or could ever do in their lifetimes. A sense of peace and serenity quickly overcame at the thought of resting within Zeniba's cabin; it was mentioned in the note that she had left that she would be residing there for the period that she was gone.
She darted quickly out of the sky as would a shooting star when she spotted the familiar shady trees and lone gravel path of Swamp's Bottom and Zeniba's cabin. Sakura landed with a soft thud on the courtyard of the cabin. The door swung open to reveal a curious No-face staring at her. "Ah ahh." He told her when he saw her.
She snorted once before transforming into her other form and walked towards him. She thanked the courteous No-face and informed him of her situation. His answer was the same as before and so she entered the brightly lit cabin, gentle thoughts streaming through her mind. No-face glanced behind her to make sure that there was no one there before closing the door to Zeniba's cabin.