Chapter 19.- Wake up…
The alarm went off in the Li manor, making all the guards get on high alert.
Ron had no idea what was going on; one minute he was standing in front of the woman with the dark-red clothing, the next he was in front of the open way that led to what seemed to be a castle, or a very old manor, and to make things even worse at least a dozen of people were in front of him, either in battle stances or holding some sort of weapon against it.
"Matte/Wait!" Two female voices called suddenly.
Right then Ron could see a two young women, the first stayed back but the second ran in his direction, she was dressed in a beautiful Chinese-style long-sleeved, sand-colored dress with the print of white dandelions in the wind; beige slippers that made no sound as she walked covered her feet and half of her hair was pulled up with a white clip. She looked almost like some sort of princess.
"Don't attack." The woman that was running in his direction. "He's no threat to us."
"He's a friend." Another voice, this time male, added.
Ron could see a young man dressed in Chinese-style clothes that seemed to go along with those of the woman, except that in a darker tone.
A second later the young Weasley gasped when recognizing those two, they were his two best-friends.
"Harry! Hermione!" He called, half-shocked.
"Ron!" Hermione called reaching him.
They noticed the others weren't moving from their positions, and this time the one to speak was the one woman Ron hadn't taken a good look at before.
"Haven't you heard them?" The other woman called to them, again in Japanese. "He's not a menace, but a friend."
She was dressed in what looked like a mix of eastern and western dresses in various tones of green, plain slippers on her feet and her hair pulled back with a soft-yellow bandana.
"We've been told to go through all security measures, Naoko-dono." One of the Li soldiers finally spoke. "It's our duty to protect the former Mistress, Yelan-dono, and the new masters: Xiao Lang-sama and Ying Fa-sama."
It was obvious that man was Japanese, as he used the suffixes from that country, those native from china only called them miss, mister, mistress, or those.
"Lower your weapons." An authoritative voice called suddenly in Chinese.
The soldiers followed the order in a heartbeat, having no trouble whatsoever recognizing the voice of their leader.
Ron saw them then, dressed in ceremonial clothing he had never before seen, but those in the manor had seen them wearing ever since the day their lord took up his post.
Sakura was the first to move, dashing almost full-speed to Ron, checking him over with speed and discretion to make sure he wasn't injured in any way.
"Are you alright, Ron-kun?" Sakura asked tilting her head to a side.
"Yes, I believe I'm just fine Sakura." Ron nodded.
One of the soldiers practically gasped when seeing the newcomer address their mistress with such casualty, it was considered disrespectful in their eyes.
"It's ok." Eriol said emerging from the manor as well, dressed in his own ceremonial robes. "This young man is Weasley Ronald and he's from England. He's been given permission to address all of us by our first names, and without titles as he's our friend."
Ron had no idea of what was going on but remained silent all the same.
"You're to treat him with the same respect you have to Hermione-san, Harry-san, Naoko-san and Draco-san." Eriol continued. "Understood?"
The soldiers immediately nodded.
Ron almost choked right then: Draco? What was that Malfoy doing there?
.---.
The door was closed and locked the moment the last member of the group entered the Li main office. That talk was going to be private and very important.
"Take a seat Ron-san." Naoko indicated Ron.
Ron did as he was told and observed everything around him as he did. The main place was what looked like a loveseat, in which sat Sakura and Shaoran; to their right was a slightly bigger sofa, in which sat Tomoyo, Eriol and Naoko; to their left were seated Harry, Hermione and Draco. All of them formed a semi-circle in front of Ron.
"What is that Malfoy doing here?" Ron demanded to know.
"Keep quite and calm and you'll get the answers to your questions Weasley Ronald Billius." Shaoran said with a seriousness that chilled the redheaded's spine.
"Shaoran-san, we're not in that boring Council or with the damn Elders right now." Eriol reminded the head of the Li Clan. "If you keep talking in that tone you'll make poor Ronald-san freak out."
Shaoran just sighed, he knew Eriol was right, but he was just getting used to speak in that tone ever since the whole ordeal of taking up his place had begun.
"Anyway, where should we begin?" Sakura wondered aloud.
"You may begin with the battle that took place last summer." Ron told them, trying to keep his temper in check.
"So you've remembered…" Tomoyo commented.
"We should have expected as much." Sakura added. "So…the battle of last summer…If you really remember it, then you'll remember what we told Voldemort that night."
Ron definitely remembered.
Flashback
"You're all doomed!!" Voldemort boomed as he laughed maniacally.
"Not yet." Sakura replied seriously.
"What?" Voldemort asked. "How do you pretend to fight me without a wand?"
"I don't depend on a wand to use magic Voldemort." Sakura replied calmly as she took her key from her neck. "I expected you from everyone here to know that."
"It can't be…" Voldemort began, it seemed he had gotten the idea what Sakura was talking about.
"Oh yes it can." Tomoyo said as she too took hold of her key.
"You knew it Tom." Eriol added joining them. "That was why you attacked on Christmas. You thought you could kill us."
"What a foolish thought." Shaoran added coldly as he took out his pendant.
"But you could never get to us, not even when you attacked Japan." Tomoyo said with satisfaction.
"We are more powerful than you, and you know it." Eriol said with a small smile.
"And intelligent." Shaoran added with sarcasm. "Thinking you could get us that easily."
Voldemort gave a couple of steps backwards, something wasn't going along with his plans and he knew it.
"You used innocents to get to us. Men you possessed and turned to Ninjas, and restless spirits you tricked to attack us." Sakura said annoyed. "I will never forgive you for that!!"
With her cry of anger her aura began flaring, scaring most of the Death Eaters and warming and reassuring Hogwarts students.
In just instants they summoned their respective staffs and sword and got ready to fight Lord Voldemort and his minions.
"This is your end!!" Voldemort yelled. "Avada Kedavra!!"
The spell was aimed to one of them, but just touching the Sorcerers' auras it vanished.
"No Tom." Eriol contradicted.
"It is yours." Tomoyo added.
End of Flashback
"We might not have said it openly then." Sakura continued. "But we're not mere wizards."
"You mean that those of you from Japan aren't really wizards and witches?" Ron asked not really understanding yet.
"No Ron-san." Tomoyo interfered. "She means none of us in this room is a mere wizard or witch. Not even Hermy-chan, Harry-kun and Draco-kun. We're sorcerers."
Ron turned to look at his two best friends, they just nodded; and to be completely honest Ron himself could remember some of the things those two had done that night, during that same battle against the Death Eaters.
Flashback
The sorcerers had just given Voldemort and his Death Eaters a serious attack, and he wasn't exactly happy for that.
"I will get you for that." Voldemort said, he aimed for the younger students. "Crucio!"
"No you won't." Hermione said getting before them. "Protergo!"
The shield resisted the curse like it had resisted in Christmas break.
Most of the students and professors were shocked. Had Hermione Granger just done magic without a wand?!
"Expelliarmus!!" Harry yelled raising both hands before him.
The spell was stronger than when he used his wand and the last standing Death Eaters crashed into the trees or walls of the castle falling then limply to the floor.
End of Flashback
"Ok, I remember what happened that night." Ron admitted. "But what has any of that to do with Malfoy? How can you accept him here? How can anyone trust him after everything he has done since we met him? Harry? Hermione?"
"People change Ron-san." Once again it was Naoko the first to speak in the blonde boy's defense. "And whether you may believe it or not, some change for the best."
"We know perfectly well what Draco-san has done in the past." Shaoran nodded. "But we've also taken in consideration what those around him taught him, the influences he had. It was our own decision, of all of us, to give him this chance, and he's been true to his vow of helping us fight the Dark Lord."
"How can you forgive one so easily?" Ron insisted.
"It would better to question you, how can you judge him so easily?" Tomoyo asked in return. "Who are you, or us, to judge anyone? We can't judge people we don't know, and even when we might know the person, we can't know everything that happens around them, the places, the other people, the circumstances, all the factors that may influence him or her in taking one decision or another." Tomoyo's voice softened, just like the look in her eyes as she added the last part. "No, we can't know, and because that we shouldn't judge, because it's not our place to do so."
"Then what can we do?" Ron asked.
"Believe." Sakura told him. "We can believe and have faith in people. We have to believe that people can be good, have faith that if they've done something wrong they can change and do something to help others some day. If we do that, then things will be alright."
"I know it's hard to understand Ron." Harry interfered. "But both Hermy and I have learned to deal with it. Will you?"
A long silence follow to that, until finally Ron made up his mind.
"Yes." He declared.
"Now I have one question." Shaoran declared. "How did you get here? As far as I know you didn't know where I lived, and this place is practically untraceable. So, how did you manage to get here, and right in front of the gates?"
"I was brought here." Ron answered. "By a woman who appeared to me right after I recovered the memories of what happened that night, in June."
"A woman…" Tomoyo began.
"Who appeared to you right then…" Eriol continued.
"It had to be her." Naoko nodded.
"She gave me something." Ron seemed to remember right then as he got a hand into one of his pockets. "She said that it would help you know who she was…"
Right then Ron brought out of the pocket what looked like a small capsule, he handed it to Naoko right away.
"Why?" Naoko asked.
"She told me to give it to you." Ron explained. "To Noelle…"
That made Naoko act almost in reflect, she closed her hand around the capsule and summoned her powers, there was a brief glow, and when she opened her hand again from the capsule was growing a plant, a plant that in mere seconds turned into a beautiful flower in full bloom, it was a red rose…
"It was her…" Naoko nodded. "My Mistress…"
"Who?" Ron didn't understand what she talked about.
"Rose Midori…" The women in the room whispered as one.
.---.
Hours later Ron was sitting with his best friends in one of the sitting rooms in the Li manor, the two had been explaining him everything that had been going on; and though at first Ron was really sad of having been left out of so many things, he understood why his friends hadn't wanted to get him involved, but now he was getting himself involved by his own free will. He had made up his mind, he would help his friends.
Harry-kun! Hermy-chan!
Hermione, who had been telling Ron about Sakura's and Shaoran0s wedding stopped mid-sentence the moment she heard the voice calling them.
Ron couldn't hear the voice, but he noticed the moment his two friends seemed to space-out.
What is it guys? Harry was the first to answer to the telepathic contact.
We have problems, bad problems. Eriol began telling him in a serious tone of voice that made it obvious he wasn't joking.
How bad? Hermione asked worriedly.
Bad enough… Eriol continued.
Stop being vague Eriol, we don't have the time. Shaoran spat at him through the contact.
What? My cute little descendant is angry at me again? Eriol asked, one could almost see him smirking inwardly.
Eriol! This time the scold came from practically everyone in the circle.
We're under attack. Sakura finally told everyone. The Li manor is being attacked. Get ready because I can tell you guys, this fight will be no game. You'll have to se your respective abilities to their full level.
Understood. Harry's, Hermione's, and Draco's response came right away.
Hai. Naoko too could be heard.
We'll be waiting for you outside minna-san. Tomoyo added. And Harry-kun, Ron-kun may want to come with you, if so let him, he might be of help.
Right. Harry nodded.
Ron waited in silence until he noticed how his friends blinked and they seemed to be back to their senses.
"What happened?" Ron asked.
"How do you know something happened?" Hermione asked.
"You've been space out for about three full minutes." Ron explained. "Besides, your eyes glazed over, I supposed it was some sorcery-thing."
"It was." Hermione nodded. "It's called telepathy, a mind-bond we share and which we use to talk to each other through our minds."
"Amazing…" Ron murmured.
"You'll have time to be as amazed as you want later." Harry told him getting on his feet. "Right not we have problems to solve."
"That's right." Hermione nodded.
With that they both got on their feet.
Hermione seemed to undo some clasps on her dress and immediately the front half of the skirt fell, leaving her with a dress that was short in the front and long in the back, and with some short pants underneath.
Harry had no need to change his clothing, he could fight perfectly well the way he was. What he did was take his sword and tied the sash that held it around his waist, then passed the cane to Hermione.
"Lets go." Hermione declared.
"What's going on?" Ron asked.
"Someone is attacking the Li manor…" Harry began.
"A big mistake if you ask me." Hermione interfered. "They must have no idea of who they're messing with."
"Right." Harry nodded. "The thing is, we have to go fight them. Tomoyo said you could come if you wanted. Just be careful, don't do anything risky and make sure you keep your wand with you at all times."
Ron nodded.
"You must know these guys aren't like Voldemort's minions." Hermione added. "It's likely they'll be sorcerers, or at least mages, from the level of Professor Dumbledore and higher. You need t be very careful."
"I'm not a little kid Hermione." Ron said almost annoyed.
"We never said you were Ron." Harry stepped in to prevent a fight between them. "We just don't want you to get hurt. After all, this is our battle, not yours."
Ron didn't say anything, we didn't get the chance anyway as his friends set off running as fast as they could to the front of the manor, he had a hard time keeping up with them; but still, what he didn't say aloud he could still think it:
'It's my fight as well.' He thought. 'Because you're my friends and I'm not leaving you again. Not ever again.'
.---.
Outside Shaoran and Sakura were standing in the terrace of the great wall that limited the Li estate from the rest of Hong Kong. They looked all regal, in their ceremonial outfits, Shaoran with his sword in hand, Sakura her staff; their auras flaring around them, making them glow in the growing darkness of the falling night.
An army of about three or four dozens stopped right then, just several feet away from the wall, weapons in their hands, ready to attack.
"Step back!" Shaoran called to them. "I am Li Xiao Lang, head of the Li Clan and Leader of the Eastern Council; as such I demand you to leave my property at once!"
There were murmurs in between the enemy lines, but no one moved.
"Li Ying Fa is my name, and I'm now giving you a second warning, know you won't receive a third." Sakura called with a seriousness and hardness in her voice that didn't seem like her at all, but she had to fulfill her role. "Leave now or you'll risk the consequences of angering not only the Li army, but High Leveled Sorcerers as well."
The enemies paid no heed no the warnings and attacked nonetheless.
"Shield, protect the manor! Power, Fight, Arrow, aid the Li soldiers in their fight! Jump, Dash, Float, Move, give my friends the help they need! Fly, Sword, grant me your powers! Release and Dispel!" Sakura called throwing to the air all the different cards.
It was incredible, to see her handling ten cards at the same time, and without even breaking sweat, she was really powerful.
Draco, Harry, Hermione and Ron could feel the moment the cards helped each of them; even if Ron didn't really know what magic was behind him being able to change from one spot to the other, dodging attacks and whatnot, he was grateful for it. The other three on the other side were already used to it, they had been working along with those cards for a while already, Draco would jump from one spot to the other easily, while Harry moved at great speeds and Hermione floated around; it was great.
Eventually more enemies arrived and began a fire that reached the Li manor, that served to create chaos fairly quickly.
Sakura then had to bring out Watery and Rain so between the three they could get rid of the fire; Firey even helped use the flames against the enemies to teach them a lesson, Windy and Thunder too joined, helping Sakura and Shaoran respectively; and after much thinking Sakura added Wood, Flower and Earthy as well so they could help Naoko with her powers as a Sprite and Song and Voice so they helped Tomoyo as an Enchantress.
For the members of the Council who had been at that moment at the Li Manor, and that after the incident with the fire came out of their rooms to see what was going on, it was a really great shock to see the scene: And it was that nine 'mere teens' were handling about fifty enemies as if it were just child's play. And there was also the fact that they could recognize the twenty cards Sakura was using, all of them at the same time, and she was still fighting physically some enemies with her sword while flying around. It was all just too amazing, it almost seemed surreal.
Things seemed to be going alright until something called the attention of two certain people in between the fighters.
"I hear the voice…" Harry whispered.
"What voice?" Ron asked as he could hear nothing at all.
He thought it may be another thing of their telepathy, but he was wrong; Hermione wasn't hearing anything either.
"Is it…" Hermione began, when she suddenly understood.
"A snake…" Tomoyo told Eriol from their spot in one of the sides of the front line.
"Are you sure?" Eriol asked.
It was obvious all of them could feel a presence approaching them, one with a very powerful killing-will, but still they didn't know if it belonged to a human or beast.
"I'm sure." Tomoyo replied. "I copied Harry's gift of párseltongue permanently, just like I did with Voldemort's ability to make things explode. I can hear the voice, the hisses, the killing-will we're feeling belongs to a snake sent to kill us but there's something strange…"
"I almost feel like I'm hearing several hissing voices at once." Harry continued telling his friends, they were also at the front line, but in the side opposite to the others.
"You mean there are several snakes?" Ron asked, his voice tinged with fear.
They all had done great thus far, Sakura's great power, and the experience and ability most of them had had made it an easy fight, at least until then.
"No." Harry replied. "I think it's far worse than that…"
Right then they would hear a rumble, and feel how the earth itself seemed to shake under the pressure of the beast approaching them; even their enemies moved aside quickly to avoid falling victim of the creature that had been summoned to fight the sorcerers and if possible kill them all; it was a serpent, but no normal serpent at all: with purplish scales, a body that must be more than ten feet tall (tall, not large); and maybe the most noticeable thing was the fact that it had more than one head, in fact, they were seven.
"It's an Hydra!!" Harry's and Tomoyo's cry could be heard at the same time.
"St!" A voice mumbled between clenched teeth from a nearby spot. "What's that damned beast doing here? No matter how strong they all are. This is no mere hydra, they won't be able to defeat it on their own unless…yes, it's time."
Right then the hydra used it's colossal tail against the sorcerers, Sakura summoned all her will and sent it into the shield to protect herself, her friends and everyone in the Li estate.
The shield resisted four strikes, but on the fifth…it broke down in a thousand pieces.
"Ah!" Sakura cried out, she felt the strike as if she had received it herself.
"Sakura!!" Shaoran called in distress.
He held his wife in her arms, blood falling down her face from a wound that had appeared in her head, reflecting what had happened to her shield.
"Sakura!/Sakura-chan!/" Cries could be heard from all around.
"Mistress Ying Fa!" The soldiers called in distress. "The Mistress has fallen.
Everyone panicked instantly, not knowing what to do to fight such a beast. Not even the sorcerers knew how to defeat it, they had never faced such an enemy…
Right then the hidden figure clasped the hands together, it was female, white hands barely noticeable under the dark cloak, her voice was deep and at the same time melodious, and it broke through the night, reaching only the ears of that who was meant to hear it:
"Daughter of the Earth,
Princess of the Voice,
Child of the Void Night,
Listen to the voice of this lady,
Listen to me and open your eyes,
It's time you come back to those who need your aid.
Wake up…sister of mine…
Wake up…Rose Tsubame!"
Finally! After so long finally Calíope decided to cooperate and let me write this chapter. I know it's really not fair that after I made you wait so long I give you a chapter with such a cliffhanger for an ending, but believe me, it had to be this way. In the next chapter you'll all finaly know who Rose Tsubame is, and the kind of power she posses being one of the Roses, we'll also see Ron get more involved in this whole ordeal, and maybe the beginning of a new romance between our little group.
My deepest apologies for not having updated before, I just didn't find the inspiration to write this, because it's such an important chapter, the one that leads to the resolve of one of the mysteries of this fic (and believe me, we still have many more). Originally I was going to leave this mystery at least until Easter, but then I thought it would be too close to the resolve of another mystery, one involving Naoko (spoilers!), so I decided to do it already.
Don't worry, I'm just missing about two chapters of all of them in China and then they'll return to Hogwarts for the second half of the school year; and believe me, many things will be happening once they return.
Well, that's everything for the moment being, thank you. See you in the next update (hopefully in less than a month) (It all depends in my muse, and your reviews too).
