I do not own Cardcaptor Sakura or any of the ninja weapons, names or techniques used here.
Chapter 8: The Earth Dragon Shrine Part 1
Sunrays hit the face of a sleeping Sakura. It shone her face that revealed everything about her; her beauty, kindness, and more. Shifting to the other side Sakura groaned and slowly opened her eyelids. Blinking out the blurriness from her eyes she saw that she was on a bed. Sitting up erectly she looked around, she was on the bed instead of the floor. She looked around where Syaoran was and saw him taking her place on the floor sleeping in his sleeping bag. She looked at him with unhappiness in her eyes, "I made Syaoran-kun sleep on the floor. He probably didn't have a good sleep. Oh!" Sakura saw Syaoran waking up from his sleep and he rubbed his eyes from the blurriness. Syaoran sat up and turned to where Sakura was sleeping. He then noticed she was staring at him.
He shifted uncomfortably in his sleeping bag and stuttered, "Wh-what's wr-wrong Sakura?"
"I made you sleep on the floor when it was me who was supposed too." She looked at him sadly and she was clutching her blanket tightly.
Syaoran blushed a bit and turned away, "Its okay, I didn't mind. You were already asleep last night when we were at the bar. So I just carried you to the bed."
"You didn't have to do that! It would have been easier if you just laid me on the floor!"
Syaoran looked at her kindly and replied, "I wanted you to have a restful night after that story you told me. It was my way of thanks."
Sakura smiled brightly and got out of bed and walked to where Syaoran was sleeping. She knelt beside him and hugged him tightly which made his blush as red as a tomato, "Thank you so much Syaoran-kun, for everything." She murmured.
Syaoran heard her; he smiled and returned the hug, "You're welcome Sakura."
They remained together when the door opened widely, "SAKURA-CHAN OHAYO GOZIUMASU!" boomed Tomoyo. She looked down and saw a redden Sakura and Syaoran who were hugging each other. They quickly let go of themselves and turned red even more. Tomoyo tittered a bit and behind her Eriol arrived.
His eyes widened as he saw how red they were, "Well Syaoran what did you do to seduce Kinomoto?" Both of them looked up and started to glare at Eriol. He laughed a bit and stuck up his hands with defense, "Haha, I'm sorry! I'm just kidding! Ah…….Syaoran?"
He saw Syaoran cracking his knuckles and then he held up a fist, "I'll count to ten before I cream you Eriol. You better run now….1….2….."
Eriol backed away from Syaoran and darted to the stairway, "Syaoran! I said I was sorry! What more do you want?"
"3…4…..10! Do you know what I want Eriol? I want you dead!" He then started to run after Eriol in his….pajamas. Tomoyo and Sakura watched the scene of Syaoran beating up Eriol.
They both smiled but one smiled evilly, "Well Tomoyo, now that you and I are alone…." She grabbed her fan and held it in front of Tomoyo.
Eyes widening she started to protest, "Sakura-chan, wait! I only laughed when I saw you two together! I didn't say any nasty comment like Eriol-kun! KYAAAAA!" She started running while Sakura opened her fan and was chasing her at the same time.
As each pair was busy by one another a small shadow was watching them from its room. "How noisy they are. I better hurry and prepare. Master doesn't like to be kept waiting. I need to hurry as soon as possible." It spoke. It then took another glance at the four and closed the door.
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Sakura panted with exhaustion and finally cornered Tomoyo to a tree. Sakura chased Tomoyo everywhere in the inn and finally chased her to the outside. Syaoran already creamed Eriol and he was sitting on top of him so he wouldn't get away. Tomoyo was scared by the evil smile that Sakura gave, "Sakura-chan, please don't hurt me. You're best friend is asking this."
Sakura thought of this for a minute and then spoke, "Fine, since you're my best friend I won't hurt you…" Tomoyo sighed with relief, "But! I am allowed to hit you with the second stage of my fan, okay?" Tomoyo gaped at her as she saw Sakura fold the fan but stopped at the remaining two purple dots.
Tomoyo grumbled, "Fine…All this just because I laughed at her…" She walked past Sakura and went a few meters apart from her. "I don't want to hurt my back from hitting a tree." She said.
Sakura smiled, "Ready?" Tomoyo adjusted herself to her defense position and nodded. Sakura raised her fan and swung it. A giant force of wind was coming straight to Tomoyo and it hit her. She was then thrown up to the sky and she twirled around the air. But then landed gracefully on the ground and shook her arms. Syaoran and Eriol watched this and were quite surprised at seeing Tomoyo unharmed.
Eriol spoke while Syaoran was on top of him, "Tomoyo, how come you aren't hurt after that technique Kinomoto did?"
Tomoyo looked at him surprisingly but then laughed, "Oh, me and Sakura-chan always fought against each other. We always had little matches to practice our techniques." Eriol smiled and slowly got up and knocked off Syaoran off his back.
He brushed the dust off his pajamas and looked at everyone else; they were also in their pajamas still, "You know, we should get changed now. We're still in our pajamas…" Everyone looked at each other and darted off into their rooms. Sakura grabbed some clothes and went into the bathroom. She changed into a forest green tank top and baggy black shorts. She tied her hair into small pig-tails onto the sides of her head and wore black fighting gloves on her hands. Syaoran was already changed when Sakura came out; he was wearing black trainer pants and a dark blue shirt with cut off sleeves. Sakura walked towards her fan and key necklace that was near her drawers. She put the necklace over her head and tied the fan onto her back. Syaoran grabbed his sword and tied it to his waist. He also tied a pouch full of talismans onto his waist as well.
He looked up and saw Sakura adjusting her fan that was tied onto her back "Are you ready Sakura?"
Sakura looked up and nodded, "Mhmm! Tomoyo-chan and Hiiragizawa-kun should be ready by now." She opened the door and left the room. Ahead of her she saw Tomoyo and Eriol. They were both talking to each other. Tomoyo wore grey shorts and a blue shirt. Her hair was tied up with a pink ribbon on her ponytail and it left two straps of pink dangling in her hair. Eriol wore magician clothes. It was blue with dark black overlapping it. On the side and the sleeves of his robes was a golden sun. They faced Sakura and both smiled brightly and Sakura smiled back. She face Eriol and asked curiously, "So what are we doing today Hiiragizawa-kun?"
Eriol looked at her and smiled wider, "Call me Eriol Kinomoto-san."
Sakura blinked and nodded, "As long as you can call me Sakura."
He nodded back and saw Syaoran just coming out of the room and closing it behind him, "Well Sakura-san we have to find this man first. We'll do the same as last time; gather some information. We'll ask around the inn."
"Are we doing this separately Eriol-kun?" spoke Tomoyo.
Eriol shook his head, "No, we're doing this in partners instead. I'll go with Syaoran alright?"
Tomoyo nodded and grabbed Sakura's hand, "Let's go Sakura-chan. Eriol-kun we'll take the outside and we'll take the inside of the inn." She ran off dragging Sakura with her.
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As they were asking people around if they saw any man with a black cloak and a bag, all answers turned out negative. Tomoyo and Sakura were resting on a rock after two hours of searching for information. Sakura put her head into her hands and stared at the sky, "Wonder how Syaoran-kun and Eriol-kun is doing…" Tomoyo looked at her with surprise. Sakura looked at her, "Hoe? What's wrong?"
Tomoyo blinked twice, "When have you been calling Li-kun Syaoran?" Sakura flushed and told her the story of what happened in the forest before the fight. Tomoyo nodded and listened intently. After Sakura finished she smiled broadly, "That's so cute! I wish I was there!" but Tomoyo thought quickly, "Even if I was there I didn't hear what they were saying…"
Sakura smiled, "Syaoran is really nice at times. He is really caring and thoughtful. For some reason I feel like I'm safe and protected when I am in his arms."
Tomoyo smirked and her eyes were starry eyed, "Sakura-chan, I think this is love…"
Sakura turned rapidly to Tomoyo and her cheeks had a small tint of red on them, "Th-that's not true Tomoyo-chan! I only like him as a friend! There's nothing between us!"
"Are you sure about that Sakura-chan?" asked Tomoyo.
"Of course! I am quite sure about it!" she remarked.
Tomoyo sighed tiredly, "Sakura-chan you may not see it but deep inside your heart you love Li-kun. But you have to look deeply in yourself. It may not come to you yet but never deny your feelings. They are always right when it comes to love." But Sakura wasn't listening she was lost in her own little world. Tomoyo sighed again and thought to herself, "Sakura-chan I know you were listening to me. Why are you denying your heart and yourself?"
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"So Syaoran do you have a thing with Sakura-san?" asked Eriol out of the blue.
"WHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAT?" Syaoran was all red in the face and he blew up. Eriol chuckled at the reaction of his cousin and best friend. "Why are you saying this all of a sudden Eriol?" asked Syaoran hesitantly.
Eriol laughed, "Oh so you do love her then Syaoran?"
"No I DON'T! Sakura and I don't have anything between us!"
Eriol's eyes widened, "Oh, now you call her by her first name? Why you sly devil you…"
Syaoran was still flushed on the face and jammed his hands into his pockets and didn't say anything else. He then had an idea to get back at his cousin; "Sooo, how about you and Daidouji-san Eriol?" he nudged Eriol on the side and his face showed a light tint of red. Syaoran laughed hard, "So you love her Eriol! Awww, invite me to your guy's wedding!"
"You're so immature Syaoran…" Eriol said heavily.
"HAH! Look whose talking Eriol!" shot back Syaoran.
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All four met in Eriol and Tomoyo's room. Sakura sat on the bed, Tomoyo sat on the floor with a pillow in her hand, Eriol was sitting on a chair and Syaoran was leaning on the wall with his hands behind his head. It was silent and all of them were tired after four hours of trying to find information, "Find anything you two?" asked Eriol breaking the silence. "Iie...(no). No one saw a man with a black cloak or anyone carrying a bag with rounded objects, how about you two?" asked Sakura.
Syaoran eyed Eriol and he nodded, "Yes, we got some info on him from the innkeeper." Both girls looked up and gazed at Eriol. "Well, the innkeeper said that the man signed in about a day before we did and he was carrying a bag with rounded objects. He never checked the bag. Also the man gave his name…." They continued gazing at him and he continued, "His name was Hibiki Iruka."
There was a still silence and this time Sakura broke it, "So does any of you know the name of this guy?" Two shook their heads except Eriol, "Anything else Eriol-kun?"
"The innkeeper said that the man was going up to the shrine tomorrow morning." Again everyone was silent, "Okay, so now we know when this man is going so I think we should be one step ahead of him. We will leave this afternoon."
"What? This afternoon! That's way too early! Why?" protested Sakura.
Eriol was about to explain but Syaoran interrupted him, "We have to Sakura. If we leave by this afternoon we can take the weapon away from him."
"What? Steal it! So now we're the thieves?" shouted Tomoyo.
"You don't understand Tomoyo. We have to steal it to protect it. We have to steal each one to protect it from their master's servants." Reasoned Eriol.
Sakura nodded with agreement and got up from the bed and opened the door, "Right, we should get preparing now. So I'm going ahead and pack, okay?" She left the room.
Syaoran stood up straight and followed Sakura saying, "Hey wait for me Sakura." He also left the room.
Only Eriol and Tomoyo were left and then Eriol stood up and walked to his bag, "C'mon Tomoyo we should get ready now." Tomoyo nodded and stood up. She grabbed her bag and opened the drawers that contained her clothes and neatly folded them into her bag.
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When Syaoran entered to their room he saw that Sakura was taking out clothes from her drawer and was dropping them on the floor, "Ta-ku, can't you be a little neater Sakura? At least pack while not messing up the room."
Sakura glowered at him and resumed her "packing." She then heard Syaoran taking out clothes from his drawer and placing them into his bag. Sakura then packed at least two outfits and other clothes that were important. She then packed her sleeping bag, pillow, and a spare blanket. Remembering Kero still sleeping in the second drawer with her other clothes. She sighed, "I'm sorry Kero-chan, but I can't take you with me. I want to do this on my own without your help…I'm sorry." She then zipped up her bag closing it. She walked to her fan that was leaning on the wall; she grabbed it and tied it onto her back. She walked back to her bag and swung it behind her. Sakura then walked to the balcony and peered at the mountain which laid the special weapon of a dragon.
"You okay Sakura?" spoke a voice behind her. She jumped a bit and saw Syaoran. Who was gazing at her worriedly.
She turned around and smiled at him, "Yes I'm fine, nothings wrong." But her eyes fell onto the ground. "It's just that I'm worried who this guy is. He might be there ahead of us. He could have left now and already miles away. This is happening because of some stupid prophecy…."
Syaoran placed a hand on her shoulder and she looked up, "Don't worry Sakura. Whoever this guy is, we will beat him before he does. Even if he does get there before us we can kill him and steal it back…"
Sakura then smiled, "Thanks Syaoran…" He nodded. Sakura walked past him and headed out the door, "Coming?" Syaoran nodded and smiled and followed Sakura out the door. Both went out to the hallway and glanced around; Tomoyo and Eriol weren't there to meet them. Curious, Sakura went to their room and knocked softly on the surface and opened the door. There was Tomoyo and Eriol scrambling around the room preparing there things for the mountain climb.
Tomoyo looked at the door and saw Sakura standing there with Syaoran behind her, "Sakura-chan! We're almost ready. I just need to find a few more things….Ah! Here it is!" Tomoyo was opening a drawer and took out a couple of hair ties and three cooking utensils. She placed them into her bag and zipped it closed. Tomoyo swung the bag to her back and stepped out of the room but glanced back, "Eriol-kun are you ready? You said yourself that we have to leave early and you're the one keeping us up." With saying that she waited for him at the hall. Eriol took one last spell book from his drawer; he tucked it into his bag and closed the bag firmly.
Swinging it onto his back he glanced at everyone, "Ready. C'mon, we have to be there before this Iruka person does." Everyone nodded and left their rooms.
They left the inn and stopped at three trails each of them didn't know which trail led where. Eriol took out the map and looked at it. He glanced up, "This may take less than four days…" He smiled.
Sakura looked at him, "What? I thought Syaoran-kun said that it would take a week to reach the top."
She glanced at Syaoran who shrugged at her, "It was just a calculation Sakura, I didn't know for sure."
Tomoyo crept up behind Eriol and also glanced at the map, "Hmmm, it seems the one on the left leads to the shrine of the Earth Dragon. I wonder what weapon it used before it became a stone."
Eriol closed the map and pointed to the left, "Well if it's located there we shall go there. Come on group, we should be at least a quarter done when night falls." Everyone nodded and turned to the trail on the left.
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At first when they started they were in a beautiful forest with beautiful flowers and cute furry animals. But then all of a sudden the climate and landscape changed. The gorgeous green forest turned into dull trees with no life springing forth. All was covered by a blanket of snow. Sakura looked around at the dieing trees and plants around her, "What happened? How come it turned into a forest of death all of a sudden?"
Eriol who was continuing to walk replied, "There all becoming dead because we're starting to climb up the mountain. There is hardly any sunshine to make them grow. It is like a forever winter." Sakura eyes dropped at the sound of a forever winter. Eriol was right, they were already stepping into snow and the temperature was slowly dropping. But Sakura wasn't that cold because of the long walk. As the crisp cold wind blew into her face she chattered a bit; okay, maybe she was wrong. She paused and grabbed her spare blanket that was tucked nicely in her bag. She wrapped it around her body to keep away the cold air. Sakura stared at the snowy top of the Mountain of Konoha.
Then a soft flake of snow passed her eyes, she blinked and looked around herself, "It's snowing…" she softly said. Another than another flake of gentle snow passed her. The rest of the group also saw the snow and stopped at their tracks to look at it.
Eriol frowned unhappily and turned to the three, "We must keep walking. I feel a storm might hit later on. So we must hurry and walk as much as we can." He sternly spoke. With haste he turned back and continued to walk. Tomoyo and Syaoran started following him but Sakura remained where she was standing.
Tomoyo turned to her and said, "Sakura-chan, hurry or you'll be left behind!" Sakura blinked and started jogging back to the group.
She walked up to Tomoyo and scratched her head, "Hehehe, sorry about that." Tomoyo nodded and the four of them started walking again while the snow was slowly descending from the dark grey sky.
About three hours later the four were caught in a blizzard. It was blinding and no one saw where they were. Trudging in the ankle length snow Sakura was frozen. She couldn't feel her feet or anything else on her body. Sakura chattered and looked at Tomoyo; who was wrapped in her blanket also. Her eyes were squinting to see where she was going. Then she glanced at Eriol who stopped abruptly, "Guys we have to stop. We can't continue on in this blizzard."
Sakura nodded with agreement, "I agree, I can't feel my hand in front of my face!"
Syaoran groaned, "You don't have to use your hands, just use your feet."
Sakura glared at him, "Why don't I just use my fist?" She looked around the surroundings and saw nothing but heavy white snow covering everything around them. "How are we going to find shelter in a stupid blizzard like this?" All of them looked at each other; they couldn't think of anything. Sakura closed her eyes shut and was starting to think. After a moment she snapped her eyes opened and clapped, "THAT'S IT!" She took out her key necklace and turned it to a wand. She searched through her pocket and took out two cards, "The Snow and The Fiery."
Tomoyo looked at Sakura dumbfounded, "Why those two?"
Sakura just grinned at her and spoke, "Just you wait. It will do us very good indeed." She threw "The Snow" card in front of her and struck it with her wand, "Snow!" A white person with robes as white as snow came before Sakura, "Snow, take this blizzard away!" The person nodded and lifted it up its hand. It then opened its palm and a great wind was coming out of her hand. The wind blew all the blizzard clouds away and the started to become clear. The person returned to the card and Sakura nodded. She looked and saw a wall of rock covered in snow. She walked up to it and threw "The Fiery" card in front of her and struck it. A woman with fire as hair and ears as long as an elf was surrounded in fire. She then engulfed one part of the wall and then the fire disintegrated. When the smoke cleared a cave was made. Sakura smiled as "The Fiery" card returned to her. She turned around and looked at her friends who were impressed, "C'mon! We can stay here for the night." Indeed, it was dark. After "The Snow" card cleared away the clouds the sky was dark and had stars glimmering and shining all there might. Sakura walked into the cave and the remaining three followed. The cave was big enough to fit every single one of them. It wasn't cozy but they thought it was good enough for the night. Sakura sighed, "Eriol we need some light…I can't see anything." Eriol nodded and snapped his fingers. At once the cave was engulfed with a bright light.
Tomoyo collapsed onto the ground and groaned, "We walked for so long. Eriol when do you think we will arrive at the shrine?"
Eriol leaned on the wall and crossed his arms; he thought for a minute and smiled warmly at Tomoyo, "We should arrive at the shrine the day after tomorrow. If we keep this up, maybe even earlier." Tomoyo smiled and laid her back on the stony ground.
After a moment she shivered, "Li-kun, do you know any fire magic to heat this cave up? If Sakura used "Fiery" we would be all a crisp." Syaoran nodded and took out five fire talismans from his pouch. He chanted a few words and laid them on the ground. At that instant the talismans shot out a fire that warmed up the whole cave. Everyone sighed with relief and remained silent. Sakura stared at the fire and wrapped her arms around her legs for more warmth. She remained quiet and thought of a something that happened earlier.
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Then a soft flake of snow passed her eyes, she blinked and looked around herself, "It's snowing…" she softly said. Another than another flake of gentle snow passed her. The rest of the group also saw the snow and stopped at their tracks to look at it. Sakura smiled as she looked at each snowflake, but then her smile disappeared quickly when she saw someone in a black cloak pass through a couple of bushes. Sakura blinked twice wondering if she imagined it all. Rubbing her eyes she was continuing to stare at the place where she saw a person with a black cloak.
Then she heard a familiar female voice speak, "Sakura-chan, hurry or you'll be left behind!" Sakura blinked back to reality and turned to see Tomoyo staring at her. She started jogging towards her and sneaked another look but made up her mind that it was her imagination.
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"Ah, Tomoyo-chan?" Tomoyo turned to Sakura while she was cooking a hot stew for them to eat.
While she stirred the hot broth she smiled, "What is it Sakura-chan? Is something wrong?"
Sakura stretched out her legs that were curled up and laid them in front of her, "Did you see anything strange while we were walking up the mountain?"
Tomoyo stopped stirring and lifted the ladle up to her lips and tasted the broth, "Mmmm, I think that's pretty good…Oh? Something strange? I don't think so, why do you ask Sakura-chan?"
Sakura shifted uneasily and looked up at Tomoyo and faked a smile, "Oh nothing. I thought I saw something but I think my eyes were playing tricks on me that time." Tomoyo shrugged and was now putting meats, potatoes and some vegetables in the broth. After, she started stirring for a couple of minutes. When all the vegetables, potatoes and meat were softened she took another taste.
Lifting the ladle to her lips she smiled brightly, "Ahhh! I think it's done. Come and get it you guys!" She put the ladle in the soup and grabbed her bag. She took out four
bowels and spoons. She each gave them there's. Sakura smiled when she retrieved hers; taking the ladle she poured her soup into the bowel about half way. She walked back to a spot in the corner and tasted it.
Sakura smiled broadly when she tasted the luscious broth with the extra ingredients, "Tomoyo-chan, this is so good! How did you learn how to do this when we're not even allowed to cook since we're princesses?"
Tomoyo smiled at the comment, "I have my ways. I secretly took cooking lessons with my cook. She is really nice and she swore that she wouldn't tell a soul about our secret lessons."
Sakura stared at her with awe, "Su-goi… (amazing)" Tomoyo tittered at Sakura's reaction and turned her head where the other boys were eating her stew.
She smiled and spoke to Eriol, "Well, what do you think Eriol-kun? Is it good?"
Eriol who was eating it with well manners put down his bowel and stared at Tomoyo's amethyst eyes and smiled kindly, "It's very good Princess Tomoyo." He winked at her and she blushed a tint of red.
She then turned to Syaoran who was eating his food like a wolf, "Well Li-kun I see that you really like my cooking. Just telling by your face tells me everything." She laughed and Syaoran just glowered at her and continued eating. They all were eating quietly and it felt awkward to them. It was so quiet that Tomoyo couldn't take it anymore, "Okay, that's it! I hate this stupid quietness! Someone speak or start up a conversation! This silence is driving me crazy!" She gathered all her charka to one hand and punched the floor of the cave. The whole floor was cracking and starting to fall apart but then Eriol flicked his hand and the rocks were back to normal. Tomoyo was breathing heavily and her face was red that she looked like she was going to explode.
Eriol walked up to her and put his hands on her shoulders, "Now, now calm down my sweet. It doesn't look good when you have an angry look on that beautiful face of yours…" Tomoyo blushed furiously and calmed down. Eriol smiled and dropped his hands from her shoulders.
Sakura sighed, "Get used to it. When ever there's nothing to talk about she grows impatient and starts to explode. Tomoyo-chan loves talking, isn't that right Tomoyo-chan?" she gave her a sly smile and Tomoyo turned her head with her nose sticking up.
Eriol smiled, "Well that strength of hers is useful Sakura-san. We may need it someday on our journey." Sakura nodded with agreement, but then she heard a light snoring in the corner. She turned and saw Syaoran already curled in his sleeping bag.
Sakura blinked at him, "Already asleep? Wow, all we did was walk. I wonder what tired him out."
"Well he's got the right idea," Eriol said while taking out his sleeping bag, "We should be sleeping too. We have to have an early start tomorrow." Tomoyo was already climbing into her sleeping bag; Sakura was the only one not ready for bed. Sighing, she took out her sleeping bag and laid it in front of her.
She climbed in and shut her eyes saying, "Eriol-kun, lights." Eriol groggily took out his hand and snapped; the lights went off.
A/N: Well, that's Chapter 8 for you! What did you think, are they really denying their love for each other? Ahahahaa. Oh well, please Read and Review! Stay tuned for Chapter 9 folks!
