Hey everybody! My computer is out so I'm typing this chapter on my dad's laptop. It's fun when your computer has been shut down for the past week. But hey now I'm going to hopefully put up another chapter soon! Keep reading and reviewing! –BeautyandYue
The day for Madison's party dawned to a crisp and cool October day. Inside the Avalon house, in the sewing room, Sakura knelt down at Tori's feet, straightening his pants leg. "Why am I wearing this again?" Tori asked lifting his arms and twisting this way and that, to get a glimpse of himself in the full-length mirror in the room. He had been invited to Madison's party as well. Tori was decked out in a complete cowboy outfit. Jeans with brown leather chaps, a denim shirt with a brown leather vest, a red bandana tied around his neck, brown cowboy boots and a cowboy hat, that completed the ensemble, rested on top of Tori's dark, thick locks.
"Because you look absolutely dashing!" came a lilting voice from the doorway. A short, petite, Asian young woman with jet-black hair to her knees entered the room. She twirled around her outfit matching Tori's in everyway except she had a denim skirt edged brown fringe that swished around her slim legs as she moved, showing off brown cowboy boots, and a blue bandana tied around her neck. "Thanks so much Sakura." The Asian said as Sakura, satisfied with Tori's clothes, got off the floor.
Sakura smiled at her friend. "Don't thank me. Thank Madison. She had these lying around somewhere. Madison was more than willing to help, Meilin."
Meilin hooked her arm through Tori's smiling up at him, ruby eyes shining. Tori smiled down on his girlfriend's upturned face. "Now I remember why I'm doing this." He said softly. Meilin's face lit up as she leaned in for Tori's kiss. Sakura shook her head and left the room closing the door behind her.
Sakura headed toward her own room, passing Ruby and Julian in front of Tori's room, arguing heatedly. Sakura stopped short when she saw Julian's face. Julian's eyes had turned steel blue. Those weren't Julian's eyes. "Please Julian? Just for a little while? Ruby Moon is going to be out too." Ruby pleaded with Julian, searching his face, for a sign of relenting in his closed face.
"I will not." It was Julian's body but it wasn't Julian's mind.
"What's wrong?" Sakura asked, looking from Julian to Ruby.
"I was, as my costume, going to go as my other self and I wondered if Yue would want to go as well." Ruby explained.
Sakura looked at Julian. "Why not? It could be fun." She coaxed.
"I don't do fun." Yue made Julian cross his arms.
"What could it hurt?" Ruby asked. "Please? I don't want to be all by myself."
Julian sighed as Yue wrestled with giving an answer and keeping the angry mind of Julian at bay. "Alright but only for a little while." He relented grudgingly.
Ruby's face broke out into a gigantic grin. "Thank you Julian!" she turned around and flounced downstairs.
Julian grabbed his head groaning, sinking to the ground, one knee striking the wood floor. "Julian are you alright?" Sakura knelt quickly next to her silver-haired, her friend, placing a hand on his slightly hunched over, back. When he didn't answer right away, Sakura asked, "It's getting harder, isn't it?"
Julian's voice floated to her ears "I hate it when he does that." His voice was slightly harsh as if he had been yelling. "It hurts both of us when he takes over like that. I have to deal with my pounding head but he can go sleep his matching headache off." Julian raised his head; eyes back to their normal color. "How do you know about my problem?" he asked Sakura, slightly puzzled as to how she knew.
Sakura smiled "I can write civilly to Tori you know. It's just the talking part that needs some work." Julian chuckled then held his head as it ached. Sakura continued on to answer Julian's question. "After Yue pulled that the first time, Tori got scared and wrote me about it."
"The first time? But that was almost a year and a half ago." Julian thought out loud, confused.
"Tori's been keeping tabs for me. Don't think that I don't care about you or Yue. I want to know when something is happening to my guardian and the person that keeps him alive." Sakura told him simply as they rose to their feet once more.
"I see." Julian said. They walked toward Sakura's room.
"Your personalities are conflicting more and more, and not on important things anymore either." Sakura opened her door and ushered Julian in. he sat on the edge of the bed while Sakura sat on her desk chair. "Your body is already feeling the strain, isn't it?" Sakura looked pointed at Julian's hands that rest on either side of him. They visibly trembled even as Julian clasped them together. Sakura came over taking his slender hands in hers.
"Can you do anything about it?" Julian asked her, eyes asking for help.
Sakura bit her lip in uncertainty "I've been looking in Clow Reed's library for something to help you with. I've come across a spell that would strengthen the barrier between you and Yue's mind but only for a little while. Then something would need to be done with you two."
Julian's eyebrows drew together in confusion. " Like what?"
"If both a you choose it, one option is that I take down the wall between your two minds, then your bodies and minds would merge into one person. Your mind would have bits and pieces of the two personalities but so would your body. The other option is to separate, you and Yue would have your own bodies to do with what you wanted." Sakura said shrugging, walking back over to her chair. She sat down again. "The fact is two very different and powerful minds' live in one body. It is clearly not working anymore." Sakura told him frankly. "Your body just cannot maintain two different minds' anymore." Julian stared off into space thoughtfully. "Why don't I reinforce the barrier for right now and then we'll see where it takes us." Sakura suggested kneeling front of the young man. Julian's eyes widened as Sakura reached up to touch his temples. "Close your eyes and relax." She instructed him. Julian obediently closed his eyes while Sakura chanted "Strengthen, fortify, build to make strong, keep safe and shield from all harm and imposing minds." Afterward Julian opened his eyes. He smiled easily for the first time since Sakura had seen him on the first day of school.
"The pressure of Yue's mind isn't as heavy anymore. Thank you."Sakura opened her door to let Julian out.
"Just remember it's only for a short time." Sakura reminded him, pretending to ignore the little yellow head peeking over the desk drawer that had silently opened as Julian stepped out, walking away, step was already light. Sakura shut the door and sitting on the edge of her bed, she sighed and put her forehead onto her clasped hands, elbows resting on top of her knees. Kero flew over to sit next to her.
"How long does they have?" Kero asked having been woken from a nap, by Sakura opening the door the first time, hearing everything.
Sakura swung to her head, still resting on her hands, to look at Kero, green eyes troubled. "Not long. Soon it will be to late to help either of them."
"I'm scared for them too, Sakura." Kero said as Sakura held out her hands and he flew into them for a comforting hug that both of them needed.
A knock on her door reminded Sakura that she needed to get ready too. "Coming!" Sakura called. Kero and Sakura let go of each other, dashing at moist eyes. Sakura hurriedly pulled on her costume and put on make-up. Sakura trotted down the stairs jangling.
"Wow, Sakura, I like." Meilin said as Sakura twirled around for her and Ruby Moon. Sakura was dressed in a belly dancer's outfit. A thin, light pink, semi-transparent gauze covered the bottom part of her face, covering the top of her head and Sakura's long hair; was a light pink satin cloth that hung down her back. Sewn to the headdress cloth dangling across Sakura's forehead were tiny gold bells. Sakura's pant's and very short top were of the same light pink satin with dainty pink slippers to match. Tiny bells that hung from the bottom of Sakura's top, matched the hanging string of bells wrapped twice around Sakura's slim waist. The same thin semi-transparent gauze connected on the wide straps of Sakura's top, to cover her arms and loop over Sakura's middle finger on each hand. To finish the costume off Sakura had added glitter and lavishly exotic eye make-up to make her emerald eyes really pop. Since that's all anyone could see of her face.
"Sakura, Meilin may like it but I love it." Ruby Moon exclaimed looking prettier than usual while a disgruntled Yue stood next to her, arms crossed. Sakura had a sneaking suspicion that Julian must have made Yue switch sooner than Yue would have liked. "It's positively bewitching."
Tori came downstairs the last one to be ready. "Come on Tori, we're waiting." Meilin said as he came down the stairs, glaring at his little sister.
"No way are you going like that." Tori baulked, seeing his sister's bare midriff before Sakura put on her coat.
"I don't have to change. Meilin?" Sakura said walking out the door.
Tori made to follow and argue with her more but Meilin pulled him into a searing kiss while everyone else filled out quickly. Tori lifted his head a glazed look in his eyes then he realized that Meilin had distracted him. He sighed, "Alright, I'll let it go but you missy will have to be talked too." Wagging a finger at Meilin who tried to look contrite. She laughed as they walked out the door, Tori tickling her sides.
The doorbell rang and Madison opened the door yet again to admit her guests. "Good evening." Madison said cheerfully.
"Madison, you look fantastic!" Sakura squealed as the group came in. Madison had grown out her hair in the last couple of weeks before her party and now it cascaded down her back, a mass of black curls. She was dressed as Christine in the Phantom of the Opera, Masquerade scene, pink dress and white evening gloves made her seem even more elegant than usual. Sakura quickly lost track of her group. Heading over toward the refreshment table set up in the ballroom that Madison had decorated in her mansion of a house, Sakura had fun trying to guess different people. They tried to guess who she was. Madison had invited many of their classmates and friends. Sakura, laughing at Rita's attempt to guess who she was, bumped into someone as she walked away. "Oh, sorry." She said to the dark haired young man dressed as the Phantom of the Opera complete with the red rose tied with a black ribbon. Sakura recognized who it was. "Eli?" she asked looking closely at the half masked person before her.
"Is that Sakura?" Eli took off his mask so he could see her better.
"I suspect you dressed to match Madison?" Sakura inquired smiling. Eli saw her eyes twinkle so he knew she was smiling. Eli put his mask back on, making an elegant bow with a flourish of his red lined, black cape. "I thought we weren't supposed to know what we are all dressed like." Sakura said mock scolding him.
Eli's cheek, not covered by the white half-mask, turned a red color. "I kinda held Madison's camcorder hostage until she told me."
"Eli!" Sakura exclaimed shocked, "But that does explain why she's been so touchy with you lately."
"I gave it back, don't worry. I plan to make up for it with this." Eli pulled out a black velvet covered box and opened it.
"Oh Eli, she'll love it." Sakura breathed looking at the simple amethyst and diamond necklace, glittering in the chandelier light.
"Hey Moon, are you proposing to my girlfriend?" a ninja clothed in black came up, pulling off his black ski mask to reveal Lee's smiling face.
"Wouldn't even dream of it." Eli said placing the box back into a pocket somewhere on his costume. "Now I think I will find my 'Angel of Music'." With another swishing bow Eli melted into the crowd, leaving Lee and Sakura by themselves. Sakura giggled at Eli's silliness.
Lee looked Sakura over. "You look beautiful." He told her, kissing her hand.
"Thank you." Sakura said blushing slightly. The orchestra that Madison had hired struck up a waltz.
Lee bowed trying to copy Eli's gentlemanly one. "May I have this dance?"
Sakura laughed, taking Lee's outstretched hand, curtsying. "I would love too." He led her out on the floor.
As they swirled around the floor with other couples, Lee looked over Sakura's shoulder. He blinked in surprise. "Do my eyes deceive me or is that Yue dancing with Ruby Moon?"
Sakura glanced over her shoulder and smiled in delight. "Yeah, we convinced him that it would be fun. But I see that he is having more enjoyment than I thought he would."
"You never cease to amaze me." Lee said whirling her around.
At that moment Madison opened the door for the last of the people she had invited. "Rubius and Sakura? Didn't you come in earlier?" Madison asked confused. Rubius swept in looking regal and arrogant in a king's costume, complete with a purple cape and shiny gold crown. Salena trotted in behind Rubius dressed almost exactly like Sakura except in red. Rubius nudged his twin to answer Madison's question.
"Oh, I went out for a bit." Salena lied as Rubius led her away as Eli caught Madison's attention.
Rubius spotted Ruby Moon and Yue as they made their way off the dance floor, Ruby laughing, cheeks pink from the dance as another waltz struck up. "Now like we planned." Rubius hissed in Salena's ear as they made their way over to the moon guardians'.
As soon as Yue and Ruby had exited the dance floor, Yue was immediately surrounded by a horde of giggling high school girls, all struggling for his attention. After politely and coolly declining a number of invitations to dance, Yue finally sent them all away with a cold look. Ruby pulled on his arm. "You could be at least sociable."
Yue scowled down at her. "I did not come here to be pestered by hordes of girls who squawk like a gaggle of geese."
"Don't scowl so Yue, it doesn't become you." Ruby said not looking at him but around the room in eagerness at the multi-colored costumes that twirled around on the dance floor.
A look of admiration crossed his face as Yue realized Ruby had known that he was slightly cross with her, without even looking at him. Yue quickly wiped the look off his face and tried not to scowl as Ruby said; but he just did not do well in crowded places.
Rubius and Salena saw those looks cross then vanish on Yue's face as he settled his face into the usual stoic, expressionless face. They made their move. "The male moon freak is sweet on the female moon freak." Rubius whispered into Salena's ear.
"They don't look like freaks to me." Salena whispered back, dodging around some people. "Actually the female one looks like it's having some fun."
Rubius stopped short. "Are you getting cold feet Salena? I do not have the patience to deal with this right now."
"But why are we doing this?" Salena asked but Rubius did not answer as they had come up on the two moon guardians.
Ruby smiled at the pair. "Hi Sakura, I thought you were dressed in pink. Oh well, maybe someone else is." Ruby said trying to see over the crowd.
Salena's tiny bells held charms. When anyone looked at her and knew Sakura, thought that Salena was Sakura.
"Hi, I wanted you to meet my friend Rubius. His twin sister is dancing with Lee at the moment." Salena said pointing vaguely at the dancing crowd.
Yue's eyes narrowed as he scanned over the crowd. That did not make sense; Sakura was just with Lee and Eli. There! Yue's steel blue eyes caught sight of Lee leading a laughing girl in pink, like the costume Sakura wore, toward the refreshment table. Yue realized Ruby had asked him something. "I'm sorry Ruby, what was that?" he said tuning back into the conversation.
Ruby slightly frowned at him. "I said, didn't the red go well with Sakura's eyes?" Yue made a slight humming sound and turned around again to watch the other pair across the room. She gave an apologetic smile to the two standing there. "Pardon us, will you Sakura?" Sakura and the boy she was with, Rubius was it? nodded and headed back in the direction that they had come. Ruby rounded on Yue. "What is your problem? You were completely rude to Sakura, who is your master, I might add, and her friend!"
Yue's eyebrows rose up in surprise at Ruby's scathing tone, so much that they nearly disappeared into Yue's silver colored bangs. "Well if you hadn't brought Sakura in on our argument before, I wouldn't be here. I believe you would have gotten more enjoyment if you had brought Julian with you. He is better able to get along everyone else, not me." Yue said face turning cold.
"I didn't bring Sakura in on our argument before, she asked! Also, I didn't want to spend the evening with Julian, I wanted to spend it with you!" Ruby spat, dark red eyes flashing dangerously before she swung around, wings quivering.
Yue was instantly sorry. He extended a slender hand. "Ruby…"
Salena took a hold on Rubius's arm and dragged through the crowd when Ruby had excused her and Yue. Rubius yanked his arm out of Salena's. "I can smell a fight a mile away. It's time to set the plan into motion." Rubius gleefully said as he slipped into the crowd.
Salena looked after her brother's retreating back until someone said, "Hey Sakura!" Salena jerked around realizing that someone meant her!
"Oh, hi Madison and Eli." Salena said to the pair as they came up to her.
"Look what Eli gave me. He shouldn't have." Madison gushed; a simple amethyst and diamond necklace glittered around her graceful neck.
Eli laughed, putting his arm around her waist he said, "Yes, I should have. Especially after what I did."
'Oh gag me.' Salena thought to herself as she was forced to reply, "They are really beautiful Madison, I've got to go find Lee though."
Eli looked at her mystified. "Didn't you already find him?"
"Yeah, but I had to go use the bathroom and then I got talking to Ruby and…" Salena stalled. 'Drat! What was his name again?'
"Hasn't Yue been with her this whole time?" Madison asked as they made their way through the crowd.
"Yeah, so now I can't find him again." Salena quickly lied, trying to steer away from that line of conversation.
Eli used his newly gained height to look over the heads of people. "Ah, Lee got talking to someone else as well. Let's go over and say hello."
Salena nodded as they made their way over thinking, 'Okay brother, you better hurry up! We're going over and Sakura is still with Lee!' a few seconds later, the room went dark. Someone screamed. Madison's voice rose over the anxious and rustling throng. "Don't panic! Everyone, the power will come back shortly." As she said the words, the chandelier flickered then came back to life. The room cheered and the orchestra started up again.
Salena, Madison, and Eli came upon a bewildered Lee. "Have you seen Sakura? She was just here."
"What are you talking about? She's right here." Madison said as Salena took Sakura's place beside Lee.
Lee looked at her more confused than ever. "Weren't you wearing pink?" he asked.
Salena laughed nervously. "It must be someone else, I've been wearing red this whole time."
Yue and Ruby came hurrying over. "Everyone okay?" Ruby asked.
"Yeah" the group chorused.
Yue asked Salena, "Mistress, do you sense anything?"
Salena thought confusedly 'Mistress? Oh, he must mean Sakura. Shoot! That means me!' "No, not at all. Nothing out of the ordinary. Must have just popped a breaker."
Lee looked at her strangely and took out on the dance floor again with Eli leading Madison, and it looked like Yue had made up to Ruby for the time being. As they danced Lee asked "Why didn't you tell Yue not to call you mistress? I thought you hated being called that."
Salena airily said, "Oh, I forgot! The lights going out were still on my mind. Someone had pushed me from behind. It was very strange but it could have been because there are so many people here."
Lee and Salena danced silently for the next few moments. Several things were bothering Lee about Sakura but he couldn't place his finger on it. When the song ended he grabbed Salena's hand and pulled her off the floor. "I'm thirsty, want something?" he said hurriedly, throwing Salena off guard.
"Sure, a lemon ice please." Salena said as Lee nodded brusquely and went off to the refreshment table. Rubius appeared beside her as soon as Lee was out of hearing range.
"Good job. He seems to be fooled." Rubius congratulated her.
"Yeah, but he seems distracted. Are you sure this will work? I still don't think this is a very good idea, Rube." Salena said worriedly, rubbing her arms as if suddenly cold.
"Relax will you? If you keep this up he'll definitely know that something's up." Rubius said. "I got her though. I tied her up good in the attic of our human house, put a dampening spell on her bonds. They won't find her until it's too late. Here comes your date, keep up the good work." He slipped off again with a brandish of his black purple edged cape, grabbing a single girl and waltzing off with her.
Salena jumped when Lee said, "Was that Rubius? What did he want?" as he handed Salena her lemon ice.
"Nothing important." Salena ate a tiny bit of the tart, cold treat, smiling sweetly at Lee.
To Be Continued…