Quick note: Hoe! I was just reading through the last chapter and I just realised, for some random reason, I switched from third person to first person (two lines, only, but still…) - how embarrassing! Sorry guys! Also, I'm going to find it quite difficult to update as regularly as I have been – college started this week! Wish me luck…I'm taking 5 A levels and I'm really, super nervous!
Also, I've upped the rating because I want a bit of S+S…ahem, well, you know. I want nature to take it's natural course later on and…I want some fluffiness!
And thanks to: Thanks to all the reviewers (ha, all 5 of you!), especially 'The Black Crow' for your suggestions – this chapter is dedicated to you! Huggles!
Disclaimer: CCS belongs to CLAMP…those lucky, lucky ladies…pouts…
Summary: It's been eight years since Syaoran left Tomoeda – and he promised he'd return. That promise was never fulfilled…will destiny right itself? How will the unpredictable Eriol, the spaced out Tomoyo and the nutty Meilin help? Hmm…it does seem pretty improbable! Let's see! S+S
Lost Goodbye
Chapter Four
Syaoran's P.O.V
I was at a loss at what I should do. I stared at Meilin, sitting there her face in her hands. I thought it wasn't such a good time to tell her about Sakura…I cleared my throat gruffly and she looked up, tears streaming down her face.
"Do…doyouwanttotalkaboutit?" I said really fast – but she understood and just shook her head sadly.
"You know most of the story anyway … Damn Li family tradition!" She howled, diving her face back in her hands.
"Is it really that bad…?" I asked weakly. I immediately regretted it – she jumped up and screamed:
"Not only am I being made to marry a guy who not only looks like a bear but smells like a zoo…" she stabbed her finger into my chest and scowled, "I'm also being forced to lie (by you, for that matter) to some of my oldest friends (and I'm spending all day with them tomorrow!) And you don't think that's bad enough?" I opened and closed my mouth, but she just went back down on the bed and started crying into her fingers again. I sighed.
"Are you even sure it's who you think it is…?"
"Well…" She looked at me through her fingers. I rolled my eyes.
"Let me get this straight: You're crying because you're being forced to marry a guy you don't like, but you're not sure even if he's the guy…!" I was going to really list all the problems she had and how easy they would be to solve…but I felt someone….looking…almost as soon as the aura had arrived, I felt it snap away.
"Oh, shit."
"W-what?" Meilin looked at me, "Syaoran…you've gone all white."
"Shit," I repeated mutedly…it couldn't be…I'd been so careful not use magic, I'd been so careful to limit my aura. Surely she hadn't grown that powerful to be able to find me like that…no way. Then again, I'd kind of let my guard down…
"Syaoran…?"
"It's Kinomoto," I swallowed hard. "I think she knows I'm here."
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Sakura's P.O.V
I tried to stand, but I couldn't – thoughts were tumbling around my head irregularly: He's back, he never said, but he's back and Meilin didn't say anything and maybe Tomoyo knows, Eriol must know because he's the reincarnation of greatest magician ever and I'm going to see Meilin in the morning and why didn't he tell me he was back and would I forgive him?
My heart pounded, my head hurt – I stood up, only to sink to my knees – tears blurred my vision…Syaoran was back…
I felt sick burn my throat and I ran to the bathroom on wobbly legs…I lifted the toilet seat just in time and I was sick – and then that thought, he's back…I was sick again. Sweat poured down me, into my eyes, down my back…my hair stuck uncomfortably on the back of my neck and…and before I hit the tiled floor I was unconscious.
A few hours later
"What do you mean you're fine?" He was nearly yelling, his eyes flashing dangerously, "I found you on the floor, unconscious in a pool of sick and you're telling me you're fine…!"
"B-but Touya…"
"But nothing! Dad isn't here so I have to look after you and you are not going out tomorrow – end of discussion!" It was true; dad had phoned earlier that week to say the dig was going on for a few more weeks – I had tried to sound happy and supportive…but I missed him terribly.
"But, Touya…" I struggled up from under the sheets so I could face him looking a little more…alive, "I'm fine – I mean, I think it was just fever and I feel much better now…"
"How do you expect me to believe that when I'm looking at you right this second?" This was also true; I probably did look a mess – I certainly felt like one. But I smiled winningly and Touya shook his head, looking completely exasperated. "Look, what is it that's so important tomorrow?"
"Um…a dear friend of mine has returned from Hong Kong and…" His face went funny.
"This doesn't happen to be the gaki does it?" He asked quietly, his eyes flashing again.
"N-no," wow, Onii-chan could be really scary sometimes, "It's the gaki – I mean Li-san's cousin."
"Female cousin…?" I suppressed a grin; Onii-chan was so funny!
"Li Meilin was definitely a girl last time I looked." Suddenly I remembered I would have to decide whether I should tell her I knew Syaoran was around…this wasn't something I was looking forward to.
"Oh, yeah – the loud Chinese girl," he nodded, looking away, remembering something. He looked back at me suddenly and scowled, "Hey, since when did the gaki become 'Li-san'?" I looked down at my hands, twisting my fingers.
"Since…um…I'm kind of not in contact with him anymore," I muttered.
"Oh…" I could tell he was trying hard not to sound happy, "I never liked him anyway…"
"Really? I would never have guessed." I rolled my eyes. "Look, Onii-chan, just for this once please, please let me go tomorrow!"
"Hmmm…" He looked thoughtfully at the wall and then he looked quizzically back at my pleading face, "Are you…begging?"
"Hai! I am!"
"So it's that important…?" He nodded slowly and smiled a bit, "Fine. Go." I squealed and threw myself at him, "Ew! Sakura, I'm going to catch your germs!"
"Yay! You're the best, Onii-chan!" He pushed me away and grinned.
"Hey, I already know that – no need to keep reminding me. I might get big-headed." I scowled but couldn't be bothered to argue. He began walking off and switched the light off, "Now go to sleep so you're well-rested for tomorrow – I'll bring up some soup later, okay?"
"Hai," when he left I dropped the act and fell back hard into my pillows, groaning.
"Are you sure you're okay, Sakura?" Kero sprang out of the draw and hovered over me.
"Do I look ok to you…?"
"Um…well…" He grinned, "At least we get soup!"
"We?" I frowned at him. "I'm sick and you're stealing my soup? This is a new low for you, Kero."
"Hey, did I ask for you to release the cards and disturb my thirty year nap? If you had just given me a bit more time to rest I wouldn't be so hungry!" I laughed hard and put my hand on my forehead…I felt so ill. So tired. I felt something deep in my stomach…Syaoran…
Now his aura pervaded my senses openly…he was so far away – but I could still feel him. I wonder why, because I've never noticed Eriol's aura… like this. A slice of his feelings…a bit of a sentence…just little bits about his day – I closed my eyes tightly and tried to stop thinking about how comfortable it was, having him so near, even though he was so far. It was on that thought that I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
Not again. The dream…the voice…the darkness.
But this time it was different; the voice seemed even more determined, more terrifying…and…
So he has returned…
I didn't know how to reply – the coldness seemed to go through my clothing, skin, into my very core. I shuddered and held myself, dropping to my knees…
Don't worry, little Cherry Blossom, this changes nothing…
It changes everything! He's back, he…!
But he doesn't know you know, he doesn't care either way, the voice said, laughing in its pitiless, cold way.
He…he still…
But I couldn't think, I didn't understand – this dream…this pain…it flared up, a thousand needles at every nerve-ending - my eyes burst open long enough to see two eyes staring back at me – one black, like night, the other blue, like cold morning sky. The voice made a sound of surprise and quickly I felt myself falling into oblivion – I screamed and…
"SAKURA!" I screamed and screamed, turning wildly and choking on tears – someone kept shaking me, but I didn't want to open my eyes and see those merciless eyes staring back…but I had to. I had to face…
Through my tears, my eyes focused on a familiar, comforting face - Tomoyo-chan looked distraught, and looking over her shoulder was a slender, well-built girl, with torrents of glossy, straight locks and reddish brown eyes. I was still crying so I just held Tomoyo, as she rocked me in her arms, like my mother used to…
Syaoran's P.O.V
"And she was just crying and crying…as if the world had ended." Meilin finished, looking at me with concern and determination. I let all of the things she'd told me sink in – trying to think of dark forces that matched its description – but I had never come across nothing like it.
It angered me I couldn't do anything, that I couldn't protect her and that she was crying and I hadn't been there – I slapped my forehead. Idiot.
"Where was her Onii-chan?" I said distractedly shaking my head.
"Out – Kero let us in…he was sitting in the kitchen scoffing his face as you'd expect…we just thought we'd surprise her by smashing into her room. She was just lying there, crying," I shivered a bit.
"What did she say?"
"That she had a terrible nightmare," I felt my insides contract…she must have been so scared. "And that she felt ill and wasn't sure she'd be able to go out – and she was so kind about it, and she did look really look very sick…" Meilin sighed, "Which brings me neatly to when you're planning to visit her."
"I...I…" I felt myself colour and scowled at my weakness. "I still have things that I need to do!"
"What? Like mope around here, staring outside windows all day?" She scoffed, "Pur-lease, Syaoran, you're just stalling! Just go and see the girl already!"
"You don't understand at all!" She was about to retort – but I ran out of the room and ignored her calls for me to return. I grabbed my coat and scarf and then…I was outside, in the crisp spring air.
And she really didn't understand…how could I explain the weird things that been going on in my head…I kept thinking I could feel Sakura – her aura was constantly around me, tricking my mind into thinking she could feel what I felt…feelings, thoughts…bits of what she was doing…could there be some kind of connection between us…?
I scowled and paused to catch my breath. There was no way there was any 'connection' between us – how ridiculous! She was a stupid school-girl with magic powers that were still not fully under her control and I had better things to do than save her all the time…I…I didn't need her!
It was at that moment I sensed magic – I concentrated and looked around – danger. Sakura. I went running to the source.
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Sakura's P.O.V
I felt so exhausted…I cringed a little, feeling bad about having to let Meilin down and being such a bad host. I hope she understands…
My eyes began to close, but I didn't want to sleep – what if I saw those eyes again? What if, this time, there would be no one to stop me from falling into oblivion…?
I leapt up. Magic…but I felt so tired. I steeled myself and quickly got up. I looked around and saw Kero, crumpled on my desk – I prodded him. No response. I started to panic and shook him – he snored loudly – something was going on; not even Kero would sleep this deeply. I grabbed my bag and stuffed him inside it - I reached under my pillow and found the seven remaining cards – they felt so cold. I shook my head and quickly read their names…
Fly.
Sword.
Shield.
Jump.
Return.
Mirror.
Hope.
"Mirror!" I was so tired – but I had to go on. I stared at myself in Mirror's form – I looked awful. Tired. Sick. Completely haggard. "Please, help me." the card nodded and I felt its touch against my arm – cold fingertips, "Don't worry. I'll save you. I'll save all of you." I felt tears in my eyes and I shook them away; this wasn't the time to cry. I stuffed the remaining cards in my bag. "FLY!" As I was leaving the window I called over my shoulder, "Onii-chan might bring some soup up later…" I saw her worried expression – I smiled, "Don't worry about me – I'll be just fine!" And then I was away.
There's nothing quite like being on Fly. Even though I felt like just closing my eyes and sleeping for all eternity, the wind whipping through my hair, the sight of a thousand lights below me and freedom pouring through me – it's a pretty good wake up call!
I concentrated hard on where the dark magic was coming from – my eyes fluttered close and…there! They opened in sudden realisation - Penguin Park! It was only five minutes away – I took a sharp turn and felt they breeze become sharp – I was only in my nighties and I was so cold…so tired…
No! I couldn't sleep! I needed to find the other cards! I needed to see this through and defeat whatever this was!
With determination and adrenaline pouring through my veins, I dipped down low, narrowly missing some trees – I took another turn and gracefully jumped off fly. I stared at the Park from the entrance and was struck by the eyrie silence, the only sound the rustling of trees in a thin breeze…I gulped. I knew this must be the source of the magic. I gripped tightly onto my staff and I took two steps in – the hair on the back of my neck was on end.
Finally…
That voice!
I turned around to face it – nothing.
Finally…finally we meet…
"Show yourself!" I yelled, turning this way and that – trying to show it courage…where I knew all it would see is fear.
Not yet…first I must test you…I must test both of you…
"What do you mean? Show yourself! Don't be a…don't be a coward!" I yelled, gripping even tighter on my staff, until it hurt. The earth began to rumble and then - slash.
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Syaoran's P.O.V
A scream pierced through the air. I knew it was her. My heart seemed to beating in the wrong place…this was all my fault…another scream and the terrible sounds of clashing swords. Whilst running I readied my sword, panting with the effort – exhaustion seeped though me, but I had to ignore it, to go on…to save her.
I turned the corner and the sounds of a struggle became louder – and then I was there. I stared at scene before me…
Sakura was on the floor, holding tightly onto The Sword, she seemed to be shaking hard, her hands trembling in the effort of holding the Sword up – something was pressing down against it – another sword? Whatever it was, it was invisible. She managed to get to her feet, but it attacked again, cutting into her upper arm – blood dripped to the floor –the force had driven her back and I felt the wind of something moving past me fast.
I didn't think. I acted.
I ran in front of her – and the force clashed with my sword – I ran forwards so the force was pushed back. I grunted with the effort and then span to face it – I felt the wind rush forwards toward me and again we clashed…I felt it contact with my arm – the pain steeled me. I pushed back again. This seemed to catch it off guard as it didn't immediately retaliate - I back-flipped, so I was beside Sakura.
"Are you okay?" I muttered, looking at her through the corner of my eye, gasping.
"Never been better," she said in a small, tired voice. We heard the force coming again and I was about to defend when… "SHIELD!" I looked at her, on her knees, using every last ounce of her strength to protect us. "I…I can't hold this for long…" our eyes met and a world of information passed between us. She looked terrified – which was exactly how I felt.
"We have to do something," I thought about the cards I had…and smirked, "Got it! TIME!" I yelled. Everything stopped. I glanced at Sakura, she was barely standing – she wouldn't look at me. I looked away, my heart aching, and went to where the invisible 'sword' was – I felt its sharp edge against my fingertips, deadly. I traced my hand across it, until I got to the hilt (it must have been a sword) and tried to see if a hand was connected to it – the moment I touched the hilt the earth shook and time started back. I fell to the ground.
This isn't the end…
The voice from my dream…instantly I felt the dark magic disappear. I scowled and yelled, "COWARD!"
I heard running behind me and turned to face it – ready to cut its balls off for what it had done to Sakura - Tomoyo and Meilin. They paused, their eyes looking at Sakura, on the floor, then me, with my sword still out. They ran over to us, looking beyond concerned.
"Why the hell did you run off like that?" Meilin yelled, gripping my shoulders tightly. Seeing me wince, she let go and looked at my wounds. "What happened…?"
"How did you know I was here?" I muttered.
"Um, lucky guess," her eyes met Tomoyo's who gave a rather silly smile.
"Eriol." Which explained it, of course. Tomoyo knelt by Sakura – who was panting heavily. "Sakura…?"
"H-hai…" I ran over to them and she collapsed into my arms. I looked away, guilt burning my heart. I scooped her up – she was so light – and I began walking to my house…I would never forgive myself for this.
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A/N: Wow, huh? Pretty cool…yay! They've 'met'! Please review…I'm so sad, that no one cares about something I'm working so hard on! pouts Anyways…I hope you've enjoyed! I'll try and put up another chappie ASAP.