Author's notes:

'' Haven't updated in so long, sorry! But now that my exams are over, here's the latest chapter! Last time we left off, Sephiria's castle had appeared and landed in the lake. Will Syaoran find Sakura? Has Sakura entirely given up on her love for Syaoran? And what's this about that mysterious group of people who are always watching them… working with Sephiria?

Note: I do not own any of the characters! They are copyright of CLAMP and I do not take credit for any EXISTING characters, though I will create a few of my own for the purpose of this story. My story is about a new world that Syaoran and the gang go to next. Please note that it takes place after they leave the Oûto world (the world where they were actually inside a game). I created personality features for characters still mysterious in the Tsubasa series: they may not (well, most likely aren't) be what CLAMP has planned for them, but for the purpose of my story, that's how they are! Ok? That's enough for now. Enjoy!

What happened last time:

"It's coming." Fye said as Syaoran got to his feet, his armour clanging gently as he moved. The wind picked up speed, whirring the clouds in the sky around one fixated point in the sky. Then, suddenly a peak of white, like a giant stalactite, a towering ice castle descended from the heavens, lowering into the whirlpool swirling in the lake. It's icy coating glimmered in the soft light from the stars and moon. The castle rumbled as its pointy base collided with the tumbling waters, causing high waves to hit the shore as it sank a little.

The arrival ended as abruptly as it came. All was silent again, and the waters calmed once again, lapping gently against the foundations of ice at the base of the castle.

"That must be it then." Fye said thoughtfully as if it was normal for a random block of ice to descend magically from the sky.

Syaoran nodded. "Sephiria's castle." He tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, Hien.

"Sephiria's… castle?" Mokona puzzled. "But, it cant' be midnight already!"

"It seems midnight is when she actually enters the King's castle in Silan, not when she appears." Kurogane answered. A smirk spread across his face. "A century old sorceress eh? Wonder how powerful she is."

Chapter 6: The Other Romeo

Sephiria lowered her staff, the feather shuttered slightly in its cage after descending the castle into the sea. The sorceress stared down at the white treasure floating within the ice, pondering. It's been shaking every time I use magic since that girl was brought here. I wonder…

"Sephiria." The mirror echoed out, the low voice echoing through the lonely walls in the chamber.

The sorceress turned back to the round mirror beside her, suppressing the wave of hatred that had just risen within her. "The castle has been moved to the ground, and your request for the room has been completed."

The man smiled. "Good, One moment while I talk to the boy…" He rose from his throne and moved beyond the mirror's field of view. Sephiria breathed out and waited.

Fei Reed beckoned the experiment towards him. The chocolate-haired boy approached, bowing to his master.

"It is time. Follow the plan and carry out your task by all means. Do you still desire her?"

The boy nodded. "Certainly, master."

A smirk spread across the man's face. "Of course… you almost ARE that boy. Good. Now, this may be our only chance, so get what I need by all means; understand? Take down anyone who gets in your way."

"Yes."

"Obedient as always. Try not to fail me, Kourya."

"Yes, master." Kourya bowed, his brown hair obscuring the view of his eye patch for a brief moment. Turning on his heels, he strode towards the mirror.

"Sephiria will bring you to that world using the feather in her possession. Take care, see you soon." Fei gave a daunting smile as Kourya stepped in front of the mirror and soon began dissolving slowly to nothing, heading to the world on the other side of the glass.

As Kourya floated towards Sephiria's chamber, he couldn't help but feel a smile creep across his lips. Sakura… I'll be seeing you… soon. His feet suddenly touched the icy floor and he opened his eye to see the cloaked woman before him, the same one he'd always seen through the mirror.

Kourya bowed, "My Lady." The mirror now grew blank, indicating that the connection was now broken.

"You look… just like that other boy…" the sorceress said softly. "I do pray your master's intentions can be to my liking." The voice roughened suddenly as she continued. "Just make sure you do not interfere with mine."

Kourya bowed again as Sephiria walked past him, heading for the chamber doors to go meet the challengers.

"Don't worry, my lady." Kourya's voice stopped the sorceress in her tracks. "I will not interfere with yours. However, my master's plans for me to carry out… he knows you will not like." The sorceress turned her head slightly, eyeing the strange boy.

He is not like that other boy… Sephiria stepped out of the room, without a second glance. This one… has a heart of ice.

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As she felt a slight shiver run up her spine, Sakura looked up from the floor. The castle had been stable for a while now, but something had felt wrong just now. Sakura had been crouching low, holding Snow tightly in her arms when the castle began to shake.

An earthquake? No… we're in the air, right? Sakura pushed off the carpet and headed towards the window again, and this time, she saw pure blue water lapping gently against the base of the castle foundations. The…sea?

Sakura rushed to the door and was reaching for the doorknob when she remembered the sorceress' words.

Do not wonder from your rooms. Stay only in the room and the kitchen, understand?

She lowered her hand, and turned back to face the glow from the fireplace. Snow whined in her arms, tilting its head to the side.

"I won't disobey her, Snow." Sakura placed the bear on the bed, and sat down on the carpet before the fireplace. "She's given me a brand new start, I should at least listen to her in return. If this is something I need to worry about, she'll tell me. I know Sephiria isn't entirely cold-hearted… the angel in her still exists… still alive."

Snow's little figure slouched as it exhaled, as if giving a weary sigh. It shook its white head furiously, then leapt off the bed and bolted out the flap at the bottom of the door.

"Snow!" Sakura rushed after the polar bear, but stopped at the door. "Snow…" a sad expression covered her face. "You won't leave me right? You won't leave me alone… like Syaoran did?"

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The three rode towards the edge of the lake, the horse's hooves thundering against the frozen earth. Towering ahead, the castle grew in the distance with its icy walls shimmering from the tiny stars scattered across the darkening velvet sky. The shadows stretched forever under the light of the moon, reflecting off the surface of the chilling waters.

Syaoran's heart grew more anxious as they neared the lake, his perseverance as strong as ever. A gloomy path of ice began to join the shore with to the door of the castle, crackling while it built itself while the horses drew nearer.

Syaoran, Fye, and Kurogane reached the edge of the field, right in front of the ice bridge, which was finishing its own construction. The crunching seized and a deafening silence hung in the air. They leapt off their horses, both Syaoran and Kurogane unconsciously resting their palms over the hilt of their swords.

"Ne? What do we do now?" Mokona asked, peeking out from Fye's white hood.

"Hush Mokona…" He answered the white pork bun. "I think it's best that you stay hidden for now." Mokona obeyed and scurried deeper into his hood.

The castle doors, as if springing to life in the frozen landscape, began to creak open, a gaping darkness seemed to echo from within. A silver-white figure came to view, holding a long staff in one hand. The horses fidgeted nervously.

Sephiria's hood was still up, and the ice encaging the feather glimmered slightly in the radiance of the moon high above. Her majestic strides carried her across the newly formed ice bridge and soon she stood metres from the travellers, stopping near the end of the ice bridge.

"Odd-looking group," her cold voice ran out. She eyed each traveller from under her hood. "… to be the ones who will try to defeat me." Her glace wavered on Syaoran, catching the strong fires of determination in his brown eyes. Just as Fei suspected… he came for her.

"Where is Sakura?" He demanded, ignoring her devious comment. His grip on his sword tightened.

"Ah yes… Sakura." She let out a cold laugh. "My servant brought her last night, but by all means try to claim her again. "She waved her hand towards the still open doors at the end of the bridge. Syaoran looked hesitantly at the sorceress. "However, I will only allow one of you in. I do not want so many strangers wandering my castle, and you seem to be the most harmless. And are you not here to "defeat" me as well, you little rodents?" A smirk inched across her face as a joyous feeling spread through her heart. I haven't had a fight in so long… Her fingers flexed as she held onto her staff, itching to reuse her powers.

Syaoran did not move. Why was Sephiria freely letting an enemy into her castle? And to find someone she has taken captive? Why-

"Syaoran, go in." Fye's gentle hand patted his back, pulling him out of his thoughts. "Trust me on this one, it's safe to go in." Syaoran looked up at the blond, and Fye smiled warmly. "Get the princess and come out fast, ne, Syaoran-kun? Kuro-pi and I can't fight her without knowing both of you are alright. Go in, trust me." He gave an encouraging wink, and pushed him forward.

Syaoran nodded and strode towards Sephiria, who stood quietly as if bored.

"Ah, so you're the one going in? Then you must be…" she paused for effect. "Syaoran."

He did not ask any questions, nor change his expression.

"Oh, she cries and cries and it's always about you." Syaoran's expression changed, a wave of shock came tumbling on his heart. Sakura… cried about me? "Just get that nuisance to stop crying at least. Now go before I change my mind."

Syaoran bowed in thanks and sprinted down the bridge, its surface was surprisingly not slippery at all. Hien clattered gently at his side against his armour. Sakura… please let what Sephiria said not be true. Please… I hope I'm not the cause of your sadness.

He entered the darkness of the castle and could immediately feel the powerful aura surround him. The castle must've been made completely out of magic. Soon, he was completely engulfed by the black surroundings as he walked further into the castle, his armour clanging noisily as he moved, echoing in the silence.

I can't walk around with so much noise and clatter…The aura was blurring his senses of living things, and the last thing he needed after this impairment was to make himself heard by any possible attackers. Syaoran's eyesight slowly began to adjust to the dim light of the castle, and the walls seemed to begin glowing to life.

He paused by the ice wall and tried desperately tried hard to sense life forms. Through the thick magic, he could not detect anything around him. Syaoran clutched his sword between his teeth and took off his black armour, lowering each piece gently to the iced floor. The thin light fabric of his Clow clothes from his and Sakura's home world were not enough to keep out the lashing cold of the air. Just as he finished strapping his cloak back on, he felt something soft brush past his legs, and immediately unsheathed his sword. The sudden clang of metal scared the little creature and sent it tumbling clumsily over Syaoran's shoe. His eyes had finally gotten used to the glow from the reflecting walls.

Syaoran squinted down to see a baby snow-white polar bear sprawled on the ice, its tiny paws rubbing the top of its head. Its body was quivering in fright.

"I'm sorry!" Syaoran sheathed his sword and bent down to extend a gentle hand to the little bear. "What're you doing by yourself out here?"

Snow looked up at the boy and sat up, shaking its head to clear its thoughts. Ne… was this person who was sad about?

Syaoran gave the little bear a small smile, and patted its head gently. "Are you alright?"

Suddenly, Snow jumped into his lap and cuddled with him. It must be him, it must be him! Sakura, Sakura, I found him!

Syaoran smiled and hugged the little bear too. A sweet lingering scent of cherry blossoms rose from Snow's fur, reaching Syaoran's sense. It seemed like-

Sakura.

"Sakura…" Syaoran stared down at the bear, who looked up into his eyes with light grey pupils. "Do you… know where Sakura is?" He felt a little ridiculous asking a polar bear a question, let alone directions to the location of a person.

To his surprise, Snow gave a content yip, and hopped off Syaoran's lap. Skidding on the ice, it scrambled back to Syaoran and began tugging his pant leg, urging him down a hall.

"You want me to follow you?" Syaoran blinked.

Snow continued tugging, its paws slipping on the smooth surface of the ice as it tried to drag Syaoran's weight.

He laughed, admiring the little bear's brave efforts. "Ok, lead the way, little one." Syaoran followed the white furball, gripping his sword tightly in his hand.

Lead me… to Sakura.

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Kourya strode around another bend, his reflection distorting slightly in the shimmering walls of ice. The plan his master had ordered him to carry out was playing over and over again in his head like an old skipping record. Soft glows from the walls reflected off his skin, where the tints of his red markings across his arms were visibly seen in the dim light. Turning another bend, Kourya saw paths of light creeping across the cold floors, stretching out from beneath a doorway in the distance.

A smile crept across his face, eerily resembling the same smile Syaoran has… the same smile Sakura holds so dear to her heart. Sakura… I'll make you mine.

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A cold wind blew as Fye and Kurogane stood in silence with Sephiria. There had been an awkward silence as they watched Syaoran's figure disappear through the darkness and the gates closed with a heavy thud behind him.

"Why are you here?" Sephiria's voice cut coldly through the night air. Her fierce gaze, though undetected by her upturned hood, were gleaming maliciously at Fye.

"Yes yes Sephiria, long time no see." Fye replied with his usual smile. "How've you been?"

"I knew it." Kurogane grunted.

Fye turned his head cheerfully, and gave him his usual mysterious smile. "Hm, Kuro-puu?"

"Sephiria must be someone from your past, or else how the heck would you know each other. 'Long time no see' means this isn't the first time you've met."

Mokona let out a muffled "Mmhmm" from deep within Fye's hood, soft enough to be undetected by the sorceress.

"Ne." Fye grinned, and scratched the back of his head. "Nothing gets by you, huh Kuro-chan? I've known Sephiria for quiet a few years. Well, in this world, time goes by faster than in the world I came from… so here it would be more like 100 years instead of just a few. Isn't that right… Ameko?"

The wind picked up speed, knocking Sephiria's hood off her brown-haired head. The light cast from the moon caught her stunning eyes… fading into a bright green from the red of the sorceress' glance. The dragon tattoo seemed to fuse with the skin, its dark hue melting into her soft pale skin that hadn't seen sunlight in years. A sincere smile spread dimly on her lips.

"Yes… Fye D. Flowright." Sephiria replied, her green eyes glinting in the moonlight.

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Sakura sat in front of the fireplace, waiting for Snow to return. The crackling of the fireplace was comforting as the flame's warmth embraced her tenderly.

This would be a nice place to cuddly with someone. She thought with a sad smile. Her thoughts unwillingly lurched towards Syaoran.

"Syaoran-kun…" She traced her fingers gently on the carpet floor, painting his name in kanji.

小狼

A tear trickled down her cheek, dripping with a quiet tap to the carpet beneath her.

"Oh no… I don't want to be sad anymore… why does it hurt me so much?" She cried gently as more tears poured out.

Outside, just a wall away, Syaoran sprinted after the little bear, who was incredibly speedy despite his timid size. As he turned another corner to finally face a door, he thought he saw a glimpse of a shadow at the end of the hall, but Syaoran shook it off. The ice's reflections played tricks with your eyes… that must be why the shadow looked like him. The running had made the cape a little too warm for comfort, and Syaoran took it off. Snow was fidgeting with the door, trying to creep through the flap at the bottom again but could not. Syaoran bent down to inspect the hinge for the bear's own little door. It was one way, and it seemed you could only come out through it, and not back in.

Snow heaved a great sigh, its furry white shoulders sagging down in defeat. Syaoran tested the doorknob and the door slid open without a single bit of noise. Snow cocked up its head in optimism.

The sound that wafted to them however froze Syaoran's heart more than the chilling air.

The gentle cries rushed to his ears, pounding in his mind like the monstrous tumbling of a thousands boulders. A hunched figure sat before the fireplace, wearing a white dress that was a little tattered and dirty from a struggle.

Sakura's shoulders heaved gently as she sobbed into her hands, her messy auburn hair shone softly in the light of the fireplace.

Syaoran stood frozen at the doorway. Snow was beside him, unsure of what to do. Its face was contorted into a painful expression, and Snow shifted on all four paws, preparing to run yet hesitant. It seemed, the little bear felt the same as Syaoran did. A part of him wanted to run towards her and hold Sakura in his embrace, to tell her everything was alright and that she was safe. And yet…

Yet there was something holding him back, rooting his feet to the floor where he stood. He had never… ever since he met Sakura that one fateful day in Clow… never seen her cry. Was Sephiria right? Was she…crying about… me?

Syaoran began quietly. "S-"

"S-Syaoran…" Sakura sobbed, still clueless to the audience behind her. "Why aren't you c-coming?" She managed between heart-felt sobs. "Why a-are you marrying h-her? Why is it… t-that you cause my heart s-so much p-pain? W-why does it… hurt so much… Syaoran…"

He stood transfixed, his back facing the doorway and the dark hall behind. His heart felt like it was being torn apart piece by piece by Sakura's pain. Each shattered fragment fell in the deep endless abysmal of Syaoran's mind, his chest felt tight and he felt he couldn't breathe. Sephiria was right. Sakura… was crying about me. I caused her pain. He took a frightful step backwards. What… should I do?

But what… marriage? It suddenly hit him, engulfing him in further despair. Sephiria must've lied to her, to further turn her again me. But-

A hand grabbed him from behind to cover his mouth and a sudden physical pain pierced Syaoran in his upper arm. He felt liquid being injected into his arm as the attacked dragged him outside, snatching Snow's attention away from the hopeless girl by the fire. The little bear pounded outside after the struggling pair committee, baring its small white teeth. Syaoran could feel his strength diminishing, and quickly threw the cap in his hand over Snow to keep him hidden from the attacker. If I can't be there for her… at least you can.

"You will NOT have my Sakura." The heated voice echoed into Syaoran's ear. Isn't that… my voice? His grip on the attacker arm loosen continuously as he tried to fight the potion he was given. Syaoran was loosing all control of his body and soon fell limply into the stranger's clutches. Two strong hands pulled him up as his vision fogged.

Syaoran could see a blurred image of Snow, fighting to untangle itself from the cape. Sakura's sobs could still be heard faintly as Kourya dragged Syaoran down the hall.

The only words he heard faded out as he fought the needle

"Syaoran… I…" The crystal ice walls disappeared and he fell into darkness as he lost consciousness. Sakura's words didn't reach his ear.

"…love you."

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Kurogane was utterly confused. Ameko? Sephiria? Who… Fye answered his questions before he could separate his lips.

"Sephiria was known as Ameko in my home world, Kuro-tin. Ameko Hotoroshi." Kurogane twinged at the nickname Fye called him by. "She was… my King's one love. Ameko was selected to marry to King Ashura."

"Against my will." A light flicker of red flashed through Ameko's eyes as she stood calmly a few meters away. "I had no intention of marrying your King at all."

"Feh. Still don't see how you're related to this sorceress. If you knew who she was, why didn't you tell any of us? Not even the kid? Hell, now that I think about it, we don't know anything about you." Kurogane's patience was wearing thin. He hated being clued out as to what was going on. And Fye's mysterious past had dragged on long enough.

Fye gave a gentle smile at him (which annoyed Kurogane even more) then turned to Ameko. "Would you like to tell him, or should I?"

"You, Fye-san. But hurry. The sorceress's patience wears thin." Ameko replied with a tone of anxiety. The feather quivered in her grasp.

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The sedated Syaoran slowly came to, his mind groggy from the needle. The attacker was still dragging him to an unknown destination, supporting Syaoran's weight. He could feel cold sweat gathering on his skin.

He tried to move but his muscles did not obey. Vision still blurred, Syaoran began to urge his mind to work. Nothing came, except the stabbing memory of Sakura crying by the fire. He let out an unexpected groan, bringing the attacker's face towards his. Staring into his eyes, through his foggy vision, Syaoran could still make out the facial features in the dim glow of the frozen walls.

The boy looked exactly like him, except for a black eye patch strapped over the left eye. Kourya's face suddenly twisted into a look of disgust, and veered straight to his left, forcing open a heavy door set in the ice wall. He threw Syaoran into the room, and slammed the door behind.

Syaoran's impact with the hard stone floor of the room seemingly awoke his senses, sending a surge of pain through his body. He inhaled a cold breathe through his clutched teeth as he tried to ignore the pain as he usually does. Assuming he had his body back, Syaoran began to push himself off the floor, getting to his feet with great effort.

Kourya rounded on him, forcing him to crash back onto the floor with a solid kick in the stomach.

"You came for her. As expected as it was… how could you come to cause more her more pain?" He hissed through his teeth. Ignoring the spinning in his head Syaoran could barely stand to hear a boy with the same voice speaking ruthlessly to him… it was like his own consciousness attacking his already wounded heart.

Syaoran spat blood onto the cobble floor, arguing with his body to move properly. The needle was still taking effect, his head felt groggy.

Kourya grabbed Syaoran by the collar, lifting him from the floor and stared into the same brown eyes. "You broke her heart. You tore her heart in two; fiancé to one girl, while still chasing her?"

"You know… I'm not getting married." Syaoran was able to grunt in a low voice, straining his body to work. "How… do you… know… about us? Who… are you…"

"Kourya." His stare continued to fixate on Syaoran. "I AM you, so to speak. But you, are in my way." Kourya's grip tightened on Syaoran's shirt, then he flung him hard against the wall behind them.

Syaoran's skull impacted with a painful thump against the stone wall, completely blanking out his vision. His skull and back felt shattered by the impact, his senses tingling madly as the sedate continued to flow in Syaoran's veins. He heard the sound of metal chains clinking, seemingly far and distant. A trail of blood began running down his temple, tainting his cold skin as it slithered down. A sudden threatening crack echoed through the stone chamber.

"She won't accept me… at least, until you are gone." The voice seemed faint in his ears now as he fought the pain in his head. The sounds of chains continued grinding as he spoke. Syaoran felt the gravity begin pulling heavier on his body as he was dragged upward, hung by his arms. "Since you came for her, then I must get rid of you. Those were my orders… so, goodbye. And thank you…" A slicing pain cut through Syaoran's chest.

Kourya sneered. "…for the eye, Syaoran."

Author's Notes:
Let me just say, to all those Syaoran fanatics, that I'm a huge Syaoran fan too. Like, really really huge! XD Only my close friends would know just how much, but let me say that I didn't enjoy writing that last scene ''. I'm a weird person because I can think of a lot of… painful tragic scenes in my mind, and while I was writing, this is how it came out ) Don't murder me, it'll get better. And this scene will prove to be important later ok? Bear with me! Also, I'm not sure if you can relate to how Sakura felt, and yes, I know she's so optimistic in the manga. But when it comes to love, we can all get depressed. That's a REALLY simplified version of what Sakura's going through, I guess. - Hope you get what I mean!

Anyways, what did Kourya mean by "thank you for the eye"? (I have my own twist here for this XD) Will Sakura realize Syaoran's in the castle? What exactly is Fye's relation to Sephiria? Find it next chapter! )