It was not long after Rika and Naoko's departure that the Princess was curled up with her guardian. A closer look at her face would reveal, however, that her sleep was far from peaceful. Behind closed, scrunched eyes, a nightmare was taking place.
It had started pleasantly; herself, Tomoyo, and Kero were having a picnic by a stream in the woods surrounding her home. Dappled sunlight washed over them while the water babbled nearby, birds chirping unseen. Sakura laid down on their blanket, laughing as Kero explained his idea for a new outfit to Tomoyo. The Princess felt the sunlight gently warm her skin, and could even see the blotted pinks from the afternoon sun as she closed her eyes. Her heart felt at peace. In the next instant; the sun was no longer dancing on her skin, and she could not hear the banter of her guardian and cousin. She opened her eyes and sat up, head whipping.
The clearing at which they sat was empty and dark as if there were no moon in the sky. Sakura stood and began to call for them both. "Tomoyo! Kero-chan!" Her voice echoed, and it was the only thing she heard. No babbling water, no forest creature noises, no bushes rustling; nothing. It was a suffocating silence. Sakura turned desperately, looking for any sign of life, any sign of her loved ones. Suddenly, she saw a bright pink cherry blossom tree several yards off. It seemed to emulate light amidst the dark tone of the woods. Through the trees, she came upon it, and at the foot of the tree was a lone wolf curled up and sleeping. Despite the fear that was still coursing through her, the cardcaptor found this sight to be rather beautiful. It was then, though, that she realized how cold it had become. Sakura held onto herself as she saw her breath in front of her, it had begun to snow. She looked up at the cherry blossom tree, it was still glowing, the snow melting before reaching the petals. Without warning came a roar of thunder that made both the wolf and Sakura alike jump with alertness. The wolf started to growl, not at Sakura, but at something behind her. The princess turned around to see utter darkness weeping over the woods she had walked through, a giant black mass engulfing everything it touched. She sprinted up the hill, next to the wolf, who continued to stay in a protective stance in front of the cherry blossom. It was not long before the darkness reached the foot of the tree, but much like the snow, it could not quite reach. A soft pink bubble surrounded the spot, but the dark mass was not stopping. It appeared almost like tentacles, whipping, and pounding on the magical defense. One blow shook the whole area, causing some petals to fall off the tree. Sakura reached for her staff necklace but it was not there, she reached for her cards but they too were not on her hip. She attempted to channel her raw magic to the barricade but she felt weak; she could not sense the stars. One dark tentacle smacked the shield repeatedly and hard enough that a crack started to form. The wolf rushed over and held its body against it. The tentacle hit again, and Sakura could see the crack deepening, the area shook with the force. The princess made to run over, to help hold the defense steady, but her knees gave out from under her after the first step. She felt weak as though her body was no longer under her own control. Another hit; the crack split further, Sakura could see the wolf gritting his fangs.
"No…" the Kinomoto Princess whispered to herself.
The black mass delivered one final, devastating blow. Sakura heard the wolf whimper in pain, the whole pink shield shattered like glass; her plea turned into a scream. Darkness was surrounding her, she could not tell the difference between her eyes being closed and open. Could not move her head or her body; all the Princess could do was scream. Until she heard her name. Kinomoto! Come on!
She recognized it immediately. It was from Prince Li. But she could not see him, could not begin to see where his voice was coming from.
Sakura!
Sakura sat up panting in her bed, gasping for air. Syaoran was there sitting on the edge, his hands gripped around her shoulders.
"Hey, hey, it was just a nightmare. You're safe. You're okay." The Prince told her in a hushed tone; Sakura didn't even realize she was crying until she lifted a hand to feel her wet cheek.
Her emerald eyes were wide with fear, and she did not think about what she did next. Syaoran felt her slight arms wrap themselves around his neck as if the Princess was lost at sea and he was a piece of driftwood to offer her rest. His arms stayed frozen at first, his breath hitched in his throat. After a moment he returned her embrace, one hand on her back, one gently rubbing her head with his thumb. He could feel her tears wet on his shoulder, smell the springlike scent of her hair. It was the softest thing the Prince had ever touched, and while he calmed the Princess, he inadvertently calmed himself. He could feel her breath falling into pace with his.
"You're okay, I'm here. You're safe." He continued to whisper.
Kero watched on with concern written over his plushie face. Sakura had been thrashing around and whimpering, she had even let out a breath he could see but it was far from cold in the room. The guardian tried to wake his master up on his own but could not, so he woke the Prince across the hall. There the three were now.
Sakura let go of Syaoran, her tears slowing and her breath becoming more stable. They pulled away, amber meeting wet emerald as the pair locked eyes. Sakura could see the concern on Li's face.
"I am so sorry Prince Li. It all felt so real, I- I didn't know how to get out… I couldn't move..." Sakura's eyes searched the Prince's face, for answers or what else she could not say.
"You're alright… do you want to talk about what happened?"
Sakura looked down at her lap and took a deep, shaky breath. She then tepidly launched into the events of her nightmare, explaining in detail what she saw, felt, and heard.
The whole time Syaoran looked at her with a serious gaze, occasionally nodding to encourage her along.
"And then, I heard you calling my name… and we're here." As Sakura's story caught up to the present moment, she looked up at the Prince's serious eyes. Syaoran turned to the window, where the sun was beginning to come through at the very early signs of dusk.
"My mother is a skilled dream interpreter, we should talk to her today. It sounds as though this might have something to do with whoever is attacking your kingdom… I just don't know how…"
Sakura's gaze followed Syaoran's to the open window, where the ocean breeze caused her linen curtains to flow like the waves, dancing in the early morning light. "Hai…" she responded softly.
"You should rest. I will spar with Wei." Syaoran made a motion to get up and away from Sakura, the Prince felt hot, he could hear his own heartbeat, which was racing at a pace far above his resting. It was a claustrophobic feeling, and he desperately wanted it to stop.
"Wait, Prince Li I-" Sakura made to get out of bed and took a few steps towards him, he was already at the door. "I don't-" A small voice rang in Syaoran's head: she doesn't want to be alone. She's scared.
"No." Was all Syaoran said as he swiftly whipped the door open and shut it behind him.
Sakura was left standing in the middle of the room in her nightgown, her hair falling in pieces around the princess's tear stained face. A heartbreaking silent sight. Kero floated wordlessly over.
"Neh, Sakura-chan?" He asked, but her eyes were glazed over in what could only have been fear; the nightmare had truly rocked his master.
"Sakura?" Kero asked in a whisper, landing on his master's chest, giving her as much of a hug as he could.
Only when Kero snuzzled his head into Sakura's chest did she come to.
"Thank you, Kero-chan…" Sakura breathed, her mouth curling into a soft smile.
A knock came from the door, "Come in!" Sakura shouted, her voice still a little meak.
Naoko opened the door, fresh linens in her hands "Good morning Sakura-san! How did you- oh, oh gosh." Naoko started happily before seeing Sakura in front of her. She put the linens down on a chair, hastily moving towards her new friend. Kero flew out of the way as Naoko gripped Sakura's arms.
"Neh, Sakura-san, what happened? Did Prince Li say something to you? Did he… did he do something to you?"
"Hoe! No, no Naoko-chan I just… I had this truly horrid nightmare, it all felt so real. Kero got Prince Li to come wake me. He was… so supportive and kind at first… but then, he acted as if I was the very last person he ever wanted to see. His glare sent ice down my spine and I was frozen. I fear I've done or said something terribly wrong to upset him…"
As Sakura spoke Naoko grabbed a handkerchief to clean the old and new tears on the princess's face.
"Neh, neh Sakura-san, I think it is rather impossible for you to make anyone feel any less than over the moon… the Prince is, as you know, difficult… at times… please don't blame yourself."
Sakura finally met Naoko's concerned gaze.
"Thank you, Naoko-chan. I'm sorry I'm in such a state!" Sakura smiled, then made to physically shake her hands and body, as if to shake off the events of her dream and morning.
"You know what always makes me feel better? A nice warm bath, how does that sound?" Naoko inquired.
The princess nodded, "I'd like that Naoko, thank you so much."
hi! sorry! a little something 3
