Part Three

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That night, Sakura returned to her less than humble apartment, her mind unable to free the burden of thoughts known as the nutcracker. These thoughts took supreme command and everything else was shoved into the recesses of her mind. Sakura moved with the speed of a zombie through her dark apartment. In her daze, she had forgotten to turn on the lights. Instead she made a bee line straight for the answering machine. She had been out late tonight after all. It was already ten thirty. Wearily, she pushed the little red "play" button. Her eyes immediately widened at its contents, her heart beginning to race at an alarming rate.

beep Hey Sakura, it's Steve. Was just wondering how the whole thing with Drosselmier went. I still think you got screwed with having to do that whole delivery on Christmas Eve what with the boss having to an get answer from Drosselmier right away…

Sakura didn't even bother to listen to the rest of the message as she bolted at break neck velocity out of her apartment. She barely even grabbed her coat and scarf in her mad dash. The door to the apartment shook with echoing force as it slammed wreaking havoc on the ancient hinges.

Crap! Crap! Crap! Freaking mega crap! How in the freaking heck did I manage to freaking not give him the form. Crap, I am the biggest freaking idiotic moron in the whole freaking world! Crap! This incoherent ranting was repeated over and over with no vocabulary change for the next twenty minutes. Sakura was mentally kicking herself. She had gotten so caught up with that stupid nutcracker that she had forgotten the main reason why she was even in the store in the first place. Sakura sprinted through the town, her lungs burning from the frigid cold air. Still, she pushed herself harder. It was her own fault that she was stuck in this mess and she was the only one could bail herself out. It was amazing the clarity in which she remembered the way to Drosselmier's shop. It was also easier because at such a late hour no one was out on the streets. Ok, maybe just the people that I don't want to meet are still here. This thought was cause for another round of mental chastisement. Because of her stupid daydreaming, she was putting herself in unnecessary danger. That was not something she tolerated.

With a speed that she never knew she had, Sakura raced through the dark empty streets of Whisper Bend. Finally, she reached her destination. But to her absolute horror and confirmation a small sign taunted her mercilessly. "Closed" the little sign conveniently made out of wood mocked. Somehow, I just knew this was bound to happen. Now what am I going to do? The shop was closed and she had to get that form to him, no matter what it took. Her butt would be put on an archaic roasting skewer if it wasn't compliments of her boss. Sakura's mind raced, trying to block out the screaming voice of panic. No! She had to stay calm. Crying like a toddler would get her absolutely no where. Think Sakura, think! She chanted the mantra over and over. Ok, so the shop was closed. Yes, that was very bad, but it was not automatic game over. She just had to be a little innovative is all. Ok, I don't have any kind of ways to get in contact with him…wait!

In a maniacal rush, Sakura dug through her coat pocket for the only form of salvation that she knew of. Sakura felt like an incredibly obese woman had just dived off of her shoulders like a diving board. There in her freezing palm was the crumpled piece of glory known as Drosselmier's address. Scanning the brief information, Sakura nodded and began her maddening sprint once more. Never in her life had she seen this address before. But for some reason, she felt that same foreign, yet familiar tugging pull at her heart strings once more. In this case, she could only pray fervently that her instincts were leading her on the correct path. Buildings whizzed by, as she ran through the abandoned town. The only other thought that barely even crossed the recesses of her mind was the prayer that she wouldn't fall in her boots. A sprained ankle was an unnecessary stressor that did not need to be added to her list of things gone wrong that day.

As time wore on, Sakura became gradually numb to the weather around her. Her mind was only set on the quest of success and to let her thoughts wander to any other needless care would be failure. She would not fail. She couldn't. The more she ran, the more she recognized where the tugging was coming from. Oddly enough, she felt the pulsing emanate from the locket that she now wore around her neck. She did not question it. She simply followed. So far, being practical had just landed her in a world of trouble. Maybe, for one night she would relent and let something other than common sense guide her. There really wasn't much left to lose anyway.

After another strenuous ten minutes, Sakura found herself just on the outskirts of the town standing on top of a snow covered hill staring at a huge eighteenth century mansion.

It was the eeriest feeling that Sakura had felt thus far. When did that get there? Sakura thought in mild panic. Now she knew something was up. The toy shop, sure it could have been an oversight on her part. But this, that mansion had never been there before tonight and she was sure of it. Did that mean that it was haunted? Was Drosselmier actually some kind of ghost? No, that couldn't be. Ghost and all sorts of magical entities did not exist. So why was it that she was fairly trembling by now? The cold. That was it. She was just cold. There was nothing to worry about. All she had to do was drop off the form. That wasn't so scary. Once she was done, she wouldn't have to mess with anything like this again.

With that in mind, Sakura trudged uphill until she reached the two giant mahogany doors that were the official entrance to the seemingly enchanted mansion. Sakura's heart was racing. Despite the cold, Sakura's palms were sweating profusely. Her courage was dwindling fast, so she had better hurry up and complete this anxious task. With a deep breath, Sakura rapped with the golden door knocker three times. She could only hope that somehow Drosselmier was still awake. Looking down at her watch, she saw that there were only a few minutes until midnight.

Sakura stood at that doorstep until she couldn't stand the level of anxiety any longer. That's it! I can't do this anymore! He's probably not even awake anymore. Forget this, I'll deal with the consequences, but this…this is just too weird. Sakura turned to leave, ready to mentally erase all of the night's contents from her memory.

"Where are you going my dear?" The familiar hoarse voice sent cold chills done Sakura's spine. She was trapped now. With the grace of a rusted machine, Sakura turned around to face the old man. When she did, she was surprised to see that he had not changed clothes and was now gazing at her like one does when a host is expecting his guest. This made Sakura feel even more uneasy. How could he possibly know that he was going to see her again this night? He couldn't! There was no humanly way possible! Drosselmier's eyes fairly glowed in the moonlight with the secret knowledge that she wasn't privy to. Unconsciously, she took a step backwards.

"Oh um, Mr. Drosselmier! Um, I'm really sorry to disturb you so late at night, and all, it's just I forgot to do something really important and hey? Wait, where are you going?" Sakura called when Drosselmier abruptly left and went back inside the house. What the heck is he doing? Sakura thought in perplexed irritation. She did not come all this way to be ignored. Interestingly enough, Drosselmier had left the front door open, so she took the initiative and followed him in.

Sakura was instantly filled with a sense of awe as she progressed through the house. Polished wood floors, intricate chandeliers, and expensive furnishings all made up the extravagancy of this home.

"Come in my dear, come in," Drosselmier called from deeper within the house. Cautiously, Sakura walked through the large foyer area, through some large wooden doors and found herself in the most enchanting living room she had ever seen. The room itself was so large that it could have been mistaken for a ballroom. The furniture in the room proved otherwise. Still, the most fascinating as well as intriguing aspect was all of the intricate Christmas designs. A giant Christmas tree adorned the far wall with its spectacular trimmings. Holly, and other festive decorations filled the room, and Sakura couldn't help but feel like she was in some kind of dream.

"So my dear, what is it that brings you here at such a bewitching hour." Sakura jumped as the old man's voice invaded her thought process. Sakura looked around, and for a few moments, she cold not spot the toy maker anywhere. But then, she saw the mischievous golden orbs shine through the shadows. It was creepy to say the least. Sakura gulped.

"Um, well you see, I work for this agency, and they have this form that…" Sakura was quickly interrupted as Drosselmier advanced on her.

"My dear, I assume you are familiar with the so called copy of the tale of the nutcracker?" It was somehow amazing that the old man had gotten her to turn and now she was backing farther and farther into the room. She nodded nervously. Crap, what had she gotten herself into. Everything was getting a little too scary. Drosselmier's crooked smile gave her no comfort.

"Good. By any chance, do you know how they came up with such a tale?" His eyes were almost accusing and Sakura found she couldn't lock gazes with him.

"Um, no sir." All of her courage had melted, and now she felt like a trapped animal before its predator. Drosselmier suddenly stopped and actually looked thoughtful for a moment, like he was relapsing into some kind of distant memory.

"You see, it actually originated from the true legend of the nutcracker. It had been centuries since the prince had been cursed. The magician and his nutcracker prince were still waiting for the right girl to come along. The problem was, the sorcerer was getting very old and his magic was diminishing. Then, one night in the eighteen hundreds, the magician was sure that he had found the prince's true love. That night, when the clock struck midnight, the magician allowed the prince to come alive. It was a good thing because the sorcerer did not have a lot of magic in stock. The girl was given the means to restore the prince's heart." Drosselmier's facial expression turned bitter.

"But…it was all in vain, for she did not love the prince and all was lost. The prince was forced to return to his enchanted sleep, whereas the girl woke to tell of her fanciful journey." Drosselmier looked like he wanted to spit in disgust. Sakura listened with baited interest.

"Then something strange happened. Every time from that day forward when the magician brought a girl to the prince, she would return to the eighteenth century girl's time. It would appear that the magician's magic had run out." Sakura scrutinized him with narrowed eyes. There was one particular issue that had been nagging at the back of her mind for some time now.

"And how is it exactly, that you know all of this Mr. Drosselmier?" Sakura questioned with a new found boldness. Suddenly, she noticed that in the corner of the room, a large grandfather clock had just begun to strike twelve and was now echoing its melancholy chimes. A large grin splayed across Drosselmier's features. His eyes danced with mischief as he advanced toward her once more.

"There is a simple answer to that question my dear. The reason I know so much about the nutcracker prince and the magician is only because I am the advisor from the legend my dear. Sakura felt her jaw drop open in shock and fear. With each step more hurried than the last Sakura backed away until her back brushed against the branches of the Christmas tree.

"No…there's no way that can be true! That would have to mean that…"

"That I am hundreds of years old. Well yes eight hundred to be exact," he chuckled lowly. Sakura wanted to run but she couldn't she was trapped and all alone with this crazy psycho. This was it. She was going to die. Tears rolled down her cheeks in tiny rivers.

"Please…please, don't hurt me. I beg of you. I don't want to die," Sakura pleaded. Why couldn't she have listened to her common sense? Her dreaming had lead her to death's doorstep and now she was going to pay the price with her life.

Meanwhile, Drosselmier looked clearly amused.

"My child, I'm not going to kill you. I am not a man to do such things. Besides, the magic of Christmas has just begun." The last thing Sakura could remember before she mysteriously blacked out was the eerie glow that emanated from the old man like a lighthouse….