Hello! This is my first Tsubasa fan-fiction, so please tolerate any mistakes. Even better, TELL me the mistakes so that I can learn from them. But be gentle, ne? Arigato gozaimasu!
Disclaimer: I do not own Tsubasa Chronicles. Simple as that.
c-h-a-p-t-e-r-1
Sakura woke up drowsily and blinked slowly. Her limbs felt oddly heavy. Tiredly, she shifted her head to look at her companions. They were all fast asleep, with Kurogane snoring and Mokona's soft body snuggled against Fye's.
"Uhn," she groaned under her breath. Her mind was fuzzy and everything appeared as a blur to her. She ran a finger through her messy brown locks that were slightly wet with perspiration. Her scalp was a little warm to her touch. Touching her forehead lightly, she groaned inaudibly again. She was sick with a fever.
Great. Just great.
"Sakura-hime?" Syaoran murmured sleepily. "Are you alright?"
"W-What? Oh, hai," she replied nonchalantly. She did not want to worry her friends. What was the point of burdening them with her problems anyway? "Good morning Syaoran."
"Good morning."
"Ohayo mina san!" Mokona squealed as it leaped into the air energetically. Of course, anything that goes up has to come down, so the adorable little creature made do with landing on Fye's stomach, waking the blonde up in the process.
"Oh, good morning everyone," he said cheerfully, his trademark smile already on his pale face. "Good morning Kuro-puppy."
"Shut up, mage," Kurogane growled from one end of the cave they had been sleeping in.
"Ooh, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today."
"You -"
Sakura winced a little. Their voices sounded several times louder to her. It made her head hurt. Luckily, no one noticed it.
"Keep quiet you two. Breakfast is ready," Syaoran snapped, obviously in a bad mood. Kurogane gave Fye one last seething glare before facing his young charge.
"Thank you Syaoran," Fye said cheerfully. Syaoran nodded briefly before handing a leg of chicken to the princess. The girl took it reluctantly and nibbled only at the edges of the tender meat.
"You are not eating, Sakura-hime. Are you alright?" he asked in concern, a frown marring his handsome face. Inquisitive amber eyes watched her keenly.
"I'm okay, Syaoran. Don't worry," she replied softly, smiling at him.
"Okay. If you say so," he said uncertainly. It was clear that he did not believe a single word she said. His sharp ears had caught occasional sighs from the girl, and that made him worried. She had eaten close to nothing since the night before. "Shall we start searching then?"
"Sure," Fye answered, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. "Kuro-puppy, are you done?"
"'Course I am, mage."
"Ikuyo."
The four friends trudged out of their temporary hideout for the night. Blinding sunlight greeted them outside the yawning mouth of the cave. They shook their heads in an attempt to get rid of the spots that obscured their vision. Sakura regretted it almost immediately. Pain stabbed at her head and threatened to throw her off-balance.
A strong arm caught her just in time. Syaoran's gloved hands held onto her slender shoulders tightly as he waited for the princess to regain control over her body. Her shoulders were shaking slightly. From shock or any other emotion, Syaoran did not know. Nor did he care. His main concern was the princess herself.
"Uhn…Thank you Syaoran, I'm fine now," she murmured with a hand pressed over her eyes. Syaoran did not budge, instead staring at her curiously. "Mm, Syaoran?"
"Yes?"
"Can you let go of my shoulders now?"
"Oh…right." He removed his hands immediately, a blush creeping up his tanned face. What made him hold on to her like that? She giggled lightly and looked at him straight in the eye. There was something amiss in her gentle gaze, Syaoran realized. Those emerald seas appeared dull and lifeless instead of the usual sparkle in them.
"Hey, you two lovebirds! If you have nothing better to do, we'd better start moving," Kurogane grumbled, his muscular arms folded across his chest.
"Aha, is Kuro-chan jealous?" Fye teased, always ready for a playful fight with the ninja.
"Shut up."
"Shall we go now?" Sakura's soft voice piped up, surprising her male companions. One hand was still shading her eyes, throwing a shadow over her emerald orbs. But what scared them the most was her voice. It was weak, and it quivered when she spoke as if talking sapped her energy.
Syaoran's frown deepened, and Fye's smile actually vanished for a short moment to be replaced by a look of concern. It was back again in the blink of an eye.
"Are you alright, Sakura?" he asked gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. He could feel the lithe frame shaking beneath the pressure. Strange, since he exerted hardly any strength into it at all.
"Y-yes. Are we moving or not?" she asked in a futile attempt at being cheerful. "No point in lazing around all day."
"Miles and miles of green pastures. Fantastic," Kurogane remarked sarcastically. The girl giggled lightly and stood up straight, looking every bit the princess of Clow.
Together the four embarked once more on their long journey to collect all of Sakura's scattered memories. They had hoped to obtain yet another feather in this world, but so far luck had not been by their side. No trace of a feather yet, and the group had traveled around that world for several days already. It frustrated them no end.
Silence ensued as they covered mile after mile of grassy plains. Syaoran and Sakura walked in front. Kurogane walked behind them with Fye trailing behind. Sakura spaced out every now and then and would bump into Syaoran. She would then apologize profusely to him before returning to her own world.
A sheen of cold sweat broke out on her brow. Her temperature had been rising steadily since they started, and Sakura knew it. She started to shiver uncontrollably despite the unforgiving rays of sunlight that glared down at them.
She shivered so much, her teeth started to chatter. Sakura bit her lip in order to stop it. Her vision was becoming rapidly hazier with every step she took.
"Hey, you! Don't lag behind!" Kurogane yelled at Fye, who was lagging behind the group.
"Coming Kuro-puppy!"
"Grr…!"
"Shall we rest for a while?" Syaoran hollered back at the bickering duo. As usual, they glared at each other then walked towards Syaoran. Correction: it was only Kurogane who had glared at the mage whereas Fye kept his silly smile.
"I think there's a tree there that can provide us with some shade," Fye offered helpfully. The younger boy nodded and headed towards the tree Fye referred to.
"Coming, Sakura?" he asked, offering one gloved hand to her. The girl appeared not to notice it, staring hazily in the distance. Syaoran was puzzled and waved his hand before her pale face. She started and began to fall backwards. He caught her just in time.
"Oi, Sakura! Are you okay?" he asked for the umpteenth time that day. She giggled weakly and nodded, her emerald eyes half closed. Her hair drooped over her eyes lifelessly and she shivered uncontrollably.
"Are you cold?" Surprising, since the climate here is very hot.
She nodded lightly and tried to push him away, only to fall down as soon as he let go of her. Exerting all of her waning energy, she placed her hands on the ground and pushed herself up.
"I'm fine," she whispered huskily. Her lips were drained of any colour, as was her face. She was as white as a sheet. Syaoran grumbled and clamped his hands onto her shoulders.
"Don't give me the 'I'm okay' answer again when you're obviously not okay!"
"But I am ok-"
"There you go again." Syaoran rolled his eyes in defeat. The princess could be very stubborn at times. Sakura shivered again when a gust of wind blew against her thin frame. He stared at her for a moment before unfastening his cloak and placing it on her shoulders. She clutched at it thankfully, pulling it tighter around her.
Worried amber eyes looked at her face. Sakura's face was deathly pale with a thin layer of sweat beading her forehead and upper lip. Tiny gasps and pants escaped her lips from time to time as if she had some difficulty with breathing.
"I am fine, Syaoran. Thank you for your concern," she said firmly, looking up at him. She gasped when she was lifted off her feet and onto his back."I don't need a piggy back ride!"
"Yes you do Sakura-hime. And don't you dare refuse."
"Humph! Fine! You will be the one who suffers anyway," she said with a pout on her face. Syaoran chuckled.
"I, suffer? Sakura, you're not heavy at all," Syaoran said sarcastically. He jerked her up a little higher, causing her brown locks to fall over her eyes. Her forehead hit his back.
"Itai…" she murmured, rubbing her feverish head. "Can't you be more gentle?"
"Your wish is my command, hime."
"Syaoran!" Sakura exclaimed indignantly and hit him lightly on his shoulder. "Don't call me princess!"
"Hime!"
"Syaoran!" she complained. Syaoran chortled a little before bending down to lower the girl down onto the lush grass. Her back leaned against the sturdy trunk of the banyan tree that provided them shelter for the time being.
"So, is she alright?" Fye asked.
"Yes, I am. Thank you, Fye," she replied hastily, giving Syaoran a challenging glare.
"I'm glad," he said gently. "Now why don't you rest for a while? I'm sure you'll feel refreshed after having one."
"Mm. Okay!"
"Sakura…" Syaoran murmured.
"Yes?"
"Sleep."
"W-What?" she looked at him innocently.
"Get some sleep."
"Oh. Hai." With a soft groan she lowered her head until it met the bark of the tree. Her eyelids drooped over her emerald orbs sleepily. Or was it out of fatigue?
Syaoran exchanged glances with Fye, who shrugged and gazed at Sakura's slim figure. The forest green cloak started to slip off her body. Her childhood friend grunted and pulled it off the slim figure. Sakura whimpered a little and started shivering again.
He draped the fabric so that it covered her entire torso, from the tip of her toes to her neck. It was long enough, with several inches of it to spare. Sakura's shivering gradually quieted down until the princess was half asleep.
"She isn't well, is she?" he murmured quietly so that he did not disturb her well-needed rest. Fye nodded and smiled at him.
"Maybe. Now why don't you rest?"
"I must guard the princess."
Fye chuckled at his stubbornness. "Hai, guard her you must, but you need rest too you know. Go on and sleep. Kuro-pi and I will watch over the two of you."
"When did I say anything about guarding the brat?" Kurogane sputtered indignantly.
"Aww, come on Kuro-pi! Let them sleep while we amuse ourselves, ne?" the blonde cajoled.
"Amuse yourself. I'm not going to try to cheer you up, you're sickeningly cheerful as it is."
"Is that so? Then I must -"
"Must tease him more! Mokona is here to help!" Mokona squealed, jumping in front of their faces.
Kurogane's half-closed eyes snapped open in alarm and he sat up hastily, his sword at the ready in his calloused hand. "Did you hear that?" he whispered cautiously.
"Hm? Are you hallucinating, Kuro-pi?"
"You'll be the death of me someday…"
"I'm honoured."
"Shh! Something is coming." His eyes scanned the area keenly. Nothing was in sight. A lone leaf floated sadly down to the ground, pulled off by a sudden gust of wind.
Silence.
Then…
"RRAAAWRR!" A terrible snarl tore at the still air like a knife slicing through butter. Syaoran jumped up and was beside his older companions in less than a second.
"What is it?" he asked warily. There was a rustle of cloth and fabric behind him. He turned around to see Sakura struggling to stand, her face flushed with fever. "Sit down, Sakura. You need to conserve your energy."
She shook her head weakly. "Iie. What is it?" she whispered huskily, as if she had lost the use of her voice.
"I don't know," he replied tersely.
"Here it comes," Kurogane's harsh voice cut in. "Get ready…"
"Rrrngh," something growled and sneaked its way closer to its prey. Kurogane drew his sword closer to his body, ready to strike should the need arise.
Then they saw it. A creature that had the characteristics of a wolf: sharp white fangs, padded paws and ears. But that was where the similarities ended. Where a wolf had brown, black or white fur, this creature had what seemed like swirls of sand that made up its body. In fact, it was made almost totally out of sand.
The huge paws that left the ground as it leaped into the air were of a grayish hue, stained here and there with specks of green and the occasional spray of crimson, probably blood of an unsuspecting victim. But what intrigued them the most were its eyes.
Heartless, black voids among the fur – or was it sand? – stared hungrily at the four humans. Swirls of red surrounded the slits it had for its pupil. To it they were nothing but delicious, tender meat, a satisfying meal for the huge creature. Its abnormally long snout sniffed the air and it licked its chops, savouring the sweet thought of sinking them into tender flesh.
Kurogane grumbled and swung his sword directly in its path. It parried the deadly sword by landing neatly on the flat side of the blade with one paw and pushing itself upwards again, jumping even higher than before.
The tip of the sword slashed at its underbelly, leaving a scratch on the furry – sandy? – body of the creature. It snarled angrily and lodged its teeth firmly onto Kurogane's arm.
A black clad leg kicked it swiftly away. It yelped as the shoe connected with its lower jaw and fell down several feet away from its prey. The white rows of fangs in his mouth were already stained with rich crimson liquid. The same liquid oozed out of Kurogane's wound. It licked the blood lavishly, eager for more.
"Thanks mage," the ninja said briefly. There was a rush of dull colours by his side as Syaoran ran towards the creature, his own sword at the ready. Kurogane saw the determined glint in his amber eyes and followed suit.
His sword came down as Syaoran's sword went vertically, a sure strike. The creature outdid them all by crouching low until the last moment then it streaked out, a brown blur to their vision.
It snarled lightly as it aimed for its new prey – a limp form who was standing alone, unprotected and with to defend herself with. One with wavy brown locks and a long green cloak draped across her shoulders. One with deep emerald seas for eyes.
The creature was going after Sakura.
Syaoran saw it at the same time Kurogane and Fye did. He cursed under his breath and ran forwards, praying hard. Please let him get there on time…
A gigantic paw slammed down onto a petrified Sakura's tender neck, causing the female to crash down onto the ground, her breath knocked out of her. She gasped in shock and tried in vain to breathe. The creature applied more pressure to her neck, blocking her air passage. Sakura started to choke violently. What little colour she had regained after her refreshing nap drained away until barely a trace of it was left. Her lips started to turn blue. Her vision was definitely getting hazy…
Suddenly the weight was pushed off her neck. She could see the blurred outline of a black boot landing on one side of her frail body as its owner prepared to protect her. She caught the whiff of a familiar scent. A scent she would recognize no matter where she went. The scent of Syaoran.
He towered over her, his baggy pants brushing against her arm. Drops of disgusting greenish-brown slime dripped from the hilt to the tip of his sword. His muscular arm was sprayed with the same liquid as well.
Harsh pants could be heard from the creature, mingling with the warning snarls it sent in the direction of the four companions. A deep gash had opened in its side, still bleeding afresh. The same disgusting slime that stained Syaoran's arm and sword poured out in torrents out of its wound.
"Let's end this now, shall we?" Fye asked amicably, looking at it with half-closed eyes. The careless smile never left his face for an instant.
"Let's," Syaoran growled. That creature will pay for daring to attack the princess…his princess. Beside him, Kurogane grunted in agreement, pulling his sword into attack mode.
The two sword-wielders rushed towards him, with Syaoran and Kurogane in the lead. They were neck by neck, the tips of their swords slashing down as one onto the pathetic creature. Its yowls reverberated for miles from where they stood. Kurogane and the young lad were panting slightly from the effort. The carcass of the now-dead creature lay limp at their feet, saliva drooling out of its open mouth.
Syaoran spared it a grim smirk before turning back. The blonde mage had helped the choking Sakura back onto her feet and was supporting her with one shoulder. Her cheek brushed against the back of his hand for a short moment. Fye shivered inwardly when his hand connected with the ice-cold flesh. Her temperature must be really high if her cheek could be as cold as a corpse's. Sakura's brown head drooped almost lifelessly onto his shoulder, her bangs covering her emerald eyes.
"Sakura!" Syaoran yelled in concern. She exerted a great amount of energy to crack a small smile at her childhood friend and tried to lift her head higher. Her small hand gripped Fye's arm painfully as she tried to stand.
"Sakura, are you alright? Talk to me, Sakura!" the chestnut haired young man cried desperately, taking big strides in order to be at her side.
"I'm…alright…" she wheezed between hacking coughs, stumbling where she stood. He stopped, too busy comprehending the incredulous answer he heard from the princess to realize the huskiness and faintness of her voice. She grinned weakly and used Fye's arm to support her weight as she struggled to stand. "Ungh…"
Fye watched her in concern. His arm really hurt, and there were red marks where her fingernails had dug into his flesh, but that was the least of his worries by now. The girl pushed herself away from his arm, swaying dangerously where she stood. Her shiny brown locks strayed messily as it was blown about by the hot wind.
Sakura drew a shaky breath, took a step forwards…
And fell.
',',
Whew. Done. I'm new to Tsubasa Chronicles, so can you please tell me if the characters seem a little OOC (Out Of Character)? It would be greatly appreciated.
Review? Please! Click on the 'Go' button and tell me your rating/suggestions/ideas for this story ya?
Arigato gozaimasu! Oh, and by the way, I accept flames ONLY with a reasonable, uh, reason?