The humans lost in the forest of magic
Sakura, Syaoran and Meiling had sat down on the grass to take a breather from the short but intense battle, while Tomoyo reviewed the footage she had just recorded of Sakura going all out against the fairies.
Ahhhh... Normally after a session like this I would get to rest on a soft and warm bed...But are even there beds in Gensokyo?-complained Sakura while laying her back on the grass, watching the stars above her with a tired expression. One of them was her own personal star from which she currently gained her magic power, but she didn't really know which yet.
Seemingly this area was sealed away from the rest of the world almost two centuries ago, when beds were an exotic luxury in Japan-replied Syaoran, laying down by Sakura's side focusing on the almost full moon above, the source of his chinese celestial magic-But many other objects and beings may've slipped inside over the years. Who knows what we'll find?
Sakura-chan's so cute when she's laying down with Syaoran-kun!-squealed Tomoyo.
Don't you ever run out of batteries?-asked Meiling.
I always pack extras. And I also carry around a solar charger. Nothing shall stop me from recording the lovely and wonderful Sakura-chan!-grinned Tomoyo with an hint of malice.
Then above them a small humanoid figure started to materialize in the middle of the air:
Observing everything from the sky, I'm Star Sapphire, the Pouring Starlight! Do you happen to need guidance, lost humans?
The voice came from a new fairy slowly flying down from above. She had long brown hair, a blue ribbon attached to it, and yellow eyes. She wore a frilly blue dress with golden stars on it, having a white shoulder cloth and white long sleeves. She also had a small blue string attached as a ribbon at neck-level. On her back she had blue butterfly-like wings and wore sturdy-looking boots on her feet.
Oh, another fairy... Mind if I exterminate her?-asked Meiling, grabbing another needle and taking aim.
You're starting to sound like that shrine yakuza...-pointed out Syaoran to his cousin.
No, it's alone-interrupted the red-haired girl, standing up and making a short bow towards the fairy, still holding her wand-I'm Sakura Kinomoto, the Card Mistress. Sapphire-chan, can you really help us? The other fairies we met so far were just a nuisance. You really want to help us, or are you just trying to set another stupid prank?
Ahahah, who, me? I'm not one of those idiot fairies who's always thinking about terrorizing human society, not me! -nervously giggled Star Saphire-Anyway I believe it's fate me and you met here like this. For you see, I'm a manifestation of the power of the stars, much like your own star magic I can sense in your being.
Hoe?
Your magic level is clearly much greater than mine, but I believe I could still teach you a thing or two about star power. Would you make a contract with me?
A contract...?
Do it, Sakura-chan! A magic girl must always have devoted cute familiars!-squealed Tomoyo.
Doesn't Sakura-chan already have Yue and Kero for that?-asked Meiling, suddenly remembering the two mystic guardians that had been left behind.
Well, I wouldn't call them exactly devoted... One likes my stupid brother more than me, the other is always stealing my snacks and causing trouble. They're my friends, but they can be both really annoying. I've actually felt kinda relieved that I didn't have to deal with either of them anymore ever since I'm here...-Sakura confessed with an embarrassed voice as she sweatdroped.
That's right, a cute star fairy is much more appropriate to being Sakura-chan's mystic companion!-encouraged Tomoyo.
Yes, we fairies are really nice companions once you get to know us! Lots of people on Gensokyo have fairy servants!-added Star Sapphire.
Sakura found herself somewhat tempted by that offer, as deep inside she did enjoy being a magical girl and was always looking for opportunities to learn more about her abilities. Besides, things had turned pretty well the last time she had accepted right away to make a magic contract from a small cute winged creature last time, didn't it?
Ok, Sapphire-chan what do I need to do to make a contract with you?
It's simple, you just need to...-A jufu fell over the fairy's dress and burst into flames-AHH IT BURNS GET IT OFF ME!
Syaoran-kun, why did you do that to Saphire-chan?-yelled Sakura at her boyfriend, currently with a frown on his face observing the panicked fairy struggling to to put out the flames with her hands.
Just checking if she's all talk or not. If she can't even stand something like this, she doesn't have anything to offer you, really.-was Syaoran's calm answer.
Sakura started searching her deck for card to put out the fire on the fairy when a new voice interrupted her:
Getting near you without a sound, I'm Luna Child, the Silent Moonlight!
Sakura, Syaoran, Tomoyo and Meiling turned their heads to the side to see a new fairy with red eyes and yellow hair, arranged into six princess curls on both sides of her head, as well as having a pair of wings. She wore a a white and black dress with a few black ribbons at the front her dress, having short and puffy sleeves, with the lunar cycle represented at its bottom. She had a bigger black ribbon below her neck and and an even bigger one in her back. She also had a white shoulder cloth having black outlines, and a white beter with black ribbons attached on its sides. On her feet she wore a pair of gray slippers. She pulled a small card from her dress and chanted:
[Moon Sign] "Lunatic Rain"!
Glowing drops of water formed and fell over Star Sapphire, forming a soft rain that got her all wet but put away the fire on her clothes. Then the damaged fabric started to slowly repair itself before she spoke as the rain around her stopped:
Ah, see, Sakura-chan, I'm not just any small fry fairy! I have quite a bit of experience, even able to take some punishment and quickly recover while under the light of the starry sky! You really won't regret making a contract with me!
Wait, before I insist to know what this newcomer is doing here.-frowned Syaoran some more, getting more suspicious every second about this strange new fairies.
I'm sorry. Me and Star Sapphire just happen to be comrades.-calmly replied Luna in a monotonous voice- But it may be also fate that we meet here, Syaoran, since I'm a manifestation of the power of the moon, much like your own celestial magic...
And let me guess, you too now want to make a contract with me so you can help me better understand my magic?-snickered Syaoran.
Hmm, I guess yes... So, you accept?
Sorry, I don't trust any magic being that I haven't beaten up myself.
I'm a magic girl and you trust me!-yelled Sakura again with an offended tone.
Ah... Well... That's kinda different... Since I kinda fell in love with you and everything...-Syaoran started looking down and blushing. They had been rivals for quite some time. They had competed for the same goals. He had traded some moves with her brother and even burned his clothes out of spite. But the closest Syaoran had had came to a direct duel with Sakura was when Eriol controlled the chinese boy as a puppet to attack Sakura, and even then he struggled against attacking her all the way.
Can't you see you're hurting Luna-chan's feelings? She just want to peacefully become your friend! Make a contract with her already Syaoran-kun!
I'm just trying to say, do you really believe one should make a magic contract just like that? This is, you thought long and carefully before becoming a card captor when you first met Kero, didn't you?
Sakura retrieved one of her cards with its front hidden against her body, eyes glaring at the boy in clear anger as she blushed in embarrassment:
…Syaoran Li... You idiot...You big idiot...
Sakura-chan's so cute when she gets angry at the one she loves most!-whispered Tomoyo with a wicked grin on her face.
...Crap... You did accept the contract right away, didn't you? ...Fine, as long as that makes you happy, Sakura-chan...-sighed Syaoran, turning again towards the moon fairy-So, Luna, how do we do this?
...Well...-the fairy suddenly looked at a loss of what to do, avoiding everybody else's gazes-Now that you mention it, how did all those other fairies made contracts again?
Sakura, Syaoran and Meiling fell to their sides while sweatdroping.
Huh...Ah... Oh, I remember now!-said Star Saphire, pulling out a card of her own-
[Star Sign] "Twinkle Sapphire"
Large red balls of fire formed in mid-air and started to slowly float around the humans, leaving trails of sapphire-blue tiny glowing stars behind in a beautiful pattern. Sakura and Meiling were instantly mesmerized by it and innocently smiled, while Syaoran just frowned again and Tomoyo kept recording everything.
Near by in the forest of magic
The young blonde woman flew between the old trees without any kind of wings or wand, still holding the sealed tome under one arm and surrounded by dozens of tiny female humanoid figurines flying in perfect formation with her. The woman's eyes could see in the dark, but even then the forest was thick and it was hard to spot anything. Then she noticed a blue flash seemingly far away and stopped, pulling a card from inside her clothes and chanted:
Target youkai. Ignore humans. [Spy Sign] "Seeker Dolls"
The eyes of the figurines around the young woman started to glow red, and then they spread out away from her, swiftly flying forth between the trees towards the direction she had seen the flash coming from.
In the clearing with humans and fairies.
What do you think you're doing? That's just a normal danmaku spell!-whispered Luna Child to Star Sapphire, using her power to make sure nobody else could hear their current conversation.
Well, the humans don't know that. We just to put up a nice light show. Magic contracts always have pretty special effects after all.
Where did you read that again?
Nevermind that, just play along or they'll exterminate us.
Ah, fine...
Luna dismissed her power so the humans could hear them again:
Do you, Syaoran Li, accept me, Luna Child, as your familiar and servant, in drinking and danmaku, until extermination pull us apart?
I do...-replied Syaoran without much conviction, just wanting to get the current situation over with.
And do you, Sakura Kinomoto, accept me, Star Sapphire, as your friend and fairy, in playing and pranks, until we get bored of it?
I do!-energetically replied Sakura, still fascinated by the ongoing spell around her, whose star essence filled her with warmth and joy.
Then I declare us masters and sla-Star Sapphire's words were cut short by dozens of pairs of red orbs starting to glow around them from behind the shadows formed by the trees, and also from inside their canopies.
The next moment, dozens of scarlet beams seared the air of the forest clearing, creating a deadly net of lasers that struck the fairies multiple times but didn't inflict any harm upon the humans.
Meiling then saw a third fairy materialize just in front of her out of thin air, in a place that had been previously passed by several of the lasers. She had short red hair braided at the sides of her head with red ribbons, blue eyes, as well as a pair of transparent mayfly wings. She wore a red and white dress with long sleeves with red lines at their ends and frills, along with a pink ribbon attached at the top of the dress. She also wore black and white shoes, as well as a yellow neckerchief between her braids. The middle of her sleeves had red ribbons attached to them, and a white line at the bottom of her dress. Her clothing and skin had several burns from the places where the scarlet beams had seared her.
A-Appearing when you least expect it, I'm Sunny Milk, the Shining Sunlight...-managed to say the fairy before collapsing on the ground from her wounds.
The other two fairies were also left collapsed on the ground, and Sakura-chan sprinted near the star one, picking her up on her arms and hugging her tenderly.
Sapphire-chan, are you alright? Say something!
Ack...Remember me, Sakura-chan...-coughed out the wounded fairy as her eyes slowly started to close.
Why did you do this? Reveal yourselves!-shouted Sakura in anger, looking around at the many pairs of glowing eyes still observing them from the cover of the shadows.
Then said eyes started to move closer to them, prompting Syaoran and Meiling to assume combat stances and Tomoyo to step closer to them as they seemed to be completely surrounded. However as the eyes emerged from the shadows, it was revealed that they belonged to dozens of cute identical dolls with blonde hair tied up with red ribbons, blue dresses and white aprons, waving their tiny cloth hands upwards.
Do you find this brutal evening likable?-asked a new voice.
It belonged to a young woman that slowly floated inside the clearing, with short blonde hair holded by a red band. She had very dark green eyes, nearly black. She wore a light blue dress with long white sleeves and a pink ribbon going around her neck and another around her waist. On her feet she wore black boots, and on her arms she held a large sealed book. Sakura and Syaoran could feel a powerful magic aura coming from her. They knew that she could most probably feel their own magic auras.
No, I don't enjoy seeing my close ones attacked out of nowhere again and again!-cried out Sakura while looking with determination on her face at the newcomer.
Neither do I. We just want a way out of this cursed forest.-added Syaoran in a more calm but equally determinated tone.
Ah, magicians from a city sect. Forgive me my initial lack of manners. I'm Alice Margatroid, the seven-colored Puppeteer.-replied the newcomer in a completely composed manner.
I'm Sakura Kinomoto, card mistress!
I'm Tomoyo Daidouji, Sakura-chan and Syaoran-kun's personal tailor and adventure recorder!
I'm Meiling Li, wonderful martial artist!
I'm Syaoran Li... But say, were you ever called the doll maker from Bucuresti?
Correct, that's one of my previous titles. One tends to accumulate many names when they live long.-smiled Alice, her dolls floating returning to her side as their eyes stopped glowing.
You know her, Syaoran-kun?-asked Sakura.
The Li clan records tell she was a great magician that existed in our world not very long ago.-started to explain Syaoran- Her magic was quite strong, however she kept mostly to herself and rarely interacted with other people in any way outside a limited circle of friends. Then one night she and most of her magic material disappeared without a trace. Along with her seven closest companions. Never to be seen or heard of again.
Ah, that brings back some memories...-said Alice with a nostalgic tone- But that's a tale for another time. This forest isn't safe for newcomers, even if they're magicians. Come, you can spend the night at my home. I'm used to giving shelter to lost humans I happen to find still alive around here.
What about Sunny-chan, Star-chan and Luna-chan? They need treatment right now!-asked Sakura.
Take a closer look at them again, Sakura. They're fairies, they heal quickly. That's why you shouldn't trust them, they often forget that humans don't recover anywhere as fast as they do. Play with them if you enjoy it, but always make sure to don't allow their pranks to don't go too far.
Sakura looked down to take another look at Star Sapphire and observed that indeed all of the fairy's burns had healed away in both her body and clothes, and she was now hugging her back with a mischievous smile her face:
Tee hee hee, it feels nice when you hold me like this Sakura-chan! It's almost as if I could directly feel your magic.
I'm just glad you're okay, Star-chan...-Sakura patted the fairy's head as if it was small child.
Hey, why don't you worry about me as well?-an healed up Luna flew up and hovered in front of Syaoran's face and frowned at him.
Do you think I'm stupid? There's an almost full moon shining above us, I knew you would recover quickly.
…You know, I was kinda hoping Sakura to hit you with that wand of hers after hearing that, but she's still all smiles and cheerfulness.
Yeah, that's Sakura-chan alright. She's a bit on the dense side. But I learned to enjoy that side of hers.-whispered Syaoran towards the fairy.
Hohoho, I feel like we may still believe a beautiful friendship between us, Syaoran-kun...-grinned Luna.
This one still seems pretty messed up-commented Meiling, approaching and grabbing the red-haired fairy under her tiny arms before lifting her on the air, only a few of her burns healed, her limbs limping down without energy.
Owww...-groaned Sunny Milk in pain-I'm a manifestation of the light of the sun, of course I'm weaker at night...
You did all these dolls, Alice-sama?-asked Tomoyo, approaching and admiring their handwork closer-Impressive, each has unique details that harmonize the collection. Your magic must be great indeed, to make them like this!
Oh, so you noticed those? You flatter me. Actually, I do my doll's bodies with just my hands and mundane tools. It's an hobby of mine when I'm not researching magic. I just use spells to make them move.-stated Alice without arrogance.
Really...?-Tomoyo's eyes started sparkling as she held one of the puppeteer's hand with both of her own-Please teach me Alice-sama! I can make even more wonderful clothes for Sakura-chan and Syaoran-kun if I learn your secrets!
...I'm sorry, but I'm still not confident enough on my capacities to take disciples under my wing. But if you can remain awake, I can teach you some of my sewing tricks over this night after we arrive at my home.
Oh, thank you so much! Let's go right now!-squealed Tomoyo in sheer happiness, starting to imagine just how much sewing experience Alice must have accumulated.
So, do you live alone in this forest, Alice-sama?-asked Sakura, starting to feel some fondness towards this elegant woman.
No, my dolls keep me good company.-calmly replied Alice while petting the head of one of her closest figurines, that closed its eyes in apparent satisfaction.
Still, don't you get lonely sometimes? Don't you miss human contact?
You mustn't consider me a normal human, Sakura.-calmly replied Alice
Then you aren't normal?-asked a somewhat confused Sakura.
I'm normal, just not human! Geez, why do I have to keep repeating myself like this every time? Now enough chit-chat, follow me or stay here and get eaten by the next youkai you run into, see if I care...-Alice lost some of her calm composure with that last exchange of words, as she turned away and started walking back inside the trees
Can we trust Alice-sama, Star-chan?-asked Sakura to the fairy that had escaped her arms and was now hugging her neck from behind.
Yeah, she can be a bit cold sometimes, but she's a pretty nice youkai all things said.-replied Star Sapphire.
Well, let's go then everybody! To the doll magician's house!-commanded Sakura, her full cheerfulness back, pointing towards Alice and starting to march behind her with a confident smile on her face, followed by the other humans and fairies.
Yes, let's all have a tea party!-squealed Star Sapphire, riding on Sakura's shoulders.
That Sakura girl sure is energetic...-commented Luna with a faint smile as she kept flying near Syaoran.
You get used to it.-said Syaoran on a low voice so only the moon fairy could hear- Also for the record, I still don't trust you, but Sakura-chan approves you so I'm gonna tolerate your presence. But the moment you pull anything that hurts her, I swear I'll make you all wish you could die for good.
...And you're sure pessimistic. Do you ever relax?
When I sleep. After warding the area and checking for any dangers.
Luna smiled nervously and followed along silently while wondering what kind of situation she had gotten herself into.
Hey, Tomoyo-chan, you don't mind if I keep this third fairy for myself, do you? I may get her to make a contract with me since Sakura-chan and Syaoran-kun already have one of their own each.-asked Meiling, carrying the helpless Sunny Milk under one arm.
Hohoho, by all means keep her, Meiling-chan. I'll be quite busy learning everything I can from this sewing mistress. That level of skill is more important to me than any kind of magic.-grinned Tomoyo.
Some time later
Alice's house was made of wood on a western style, painted white and with two floors plus a tower attic. The interior was stuffed with female humanoid dolls of all kinds everywhere. It gave the place a spooky if not creepy atmosphere. In particular because many of the dolls rose from their positions and started to take care of several domestic duties as soon as they entered, from cleaning the human's shoes and boots to opening and closing doors to preparing and serving them tea and cookies. Of course Sakura, Syaoran, Meiling and Tomoyo had seen much scarier stuff in their lives so far, so this environment didn't bother them that much.
Syaoran couldn't stop noticing some bookshelves filled with strange tomes that radiated a strong magic aura. Sakura couldn't stop noticing that although Alice didn't seem to do any work herself, her fingers had small white rings and were in constant movement, that the dolls on the house seemed to react to, rather than acting on their own will. Tomoyo couldn't stop noticing an old but well preserved mechanical sewing machine along several strange fabrics, accessories and fillings. Meiling couldn't stop noticing a large sack tucked at a corner filled with what seemed like gunpowder.
Alice didn't make any more questions, and the humans and fairies were initially too busy digging in the tea and snacks offered to them when they realized just how hungry and thirsty they were after all the recent action, so some moments of silence followed.
So, Alice-sama, what did you mean when you called me and Syaoran-kun city-sect magicians?-asked Sakura while sipping a cup of red tea while sitting on a sofa, Star Sapphire gulping down cookies at her right side and Syaoran at her left.
It means you grew up on a proper, urban and civilized area, just like me. You know how to hold off your magic since you didn't use a single spell since we met, even if I sense a strong magic aura from both of you. Even if I live here nowadays, I haven't forgotten my heritage.-replied Alice sitting in a chair in the opposite side of a small table where the tea pot and snacks were kept, the puppeteer having recovered her composed elegance while her fingers dextrously worked on making four new dolls on her lap.
It's very kind from you to give us shelter for the night, Alice-sama.-thanked Tomoyo sitting on another chair at the puppeteer's side, sipping tea from her own cup. For a change she wasn't recording Sakura with her camera, instead her eyes furtively observing the expert movements of Alice's hands making the dolls, taking mental notes on her sewing techniques.
Oh, it was nothing, just common etiquette between fellow city-sect magicians.-replied Alice
Now, hmm... How should I put this...-mused Sakura- We are not from this place, Alice-sama. We're from the outside world. We were dragged to Gensokyo against our will and we would really like to get back. Could you help us with that?
I suspected as much, but didn't want to do any rude questions. Entering Gensokyo is one thing, exiting it is another. Not really my specialization, but I have some acquaintances that are much better versed on the matter. I would be willing to guide you tomorrow to one of them so you can speak to them.
We would be really grateful if you do that for us, Alice-sama!
Only doing the correct thing for fellow city-sect magicians in trouble.
Sorry if this offends you, but all the other people from Gensokyo we've met seemed quite keen in forcing us to use our magic abilities. But you don't seem that much interested in our powers despite being a strong magician yourself. Why?-asked Syaoran suspicious of all the generosity, just nibbling on a cookie for politeness sake, not really feeling hungry.
I admit there's plenty of barbaric magicians of the untamed fields out there that want to prove their magic prowess to others or plain capturing other people's spells for their own. But we city-sect magicians are above such trifle matters, are we not?-replied Alice with a tone of superiority, puffing up her chest.
Hoe...-Sakura made a nervous smile as she dared not reveal that she indeed had gone trough great pains to prove her magic prowess to others while taking other people's spells for her own.
Now, excuse me if you think this is a rude question, but what is the relationship between you two, Syaoran and Sakura? It's quite rare to see magicians cooperating together, we're usually a solitary lot. You don't seem like mistress and servant either. Are you perhaps co-workers? Disciples from the same master? A temporary alliance for a common goal?
I love Syaoran-kun more than anything else and want to be together forever with him!-stated Sakura without hesitation while smiling innocently, whereas Syaoran spit out the tea he had started drinking in the air. Some dolls quickly rushed to clean it up.
Ack-Syaoran coughed-Sakura-chan, you can't just blurt out things like that in front of people you've just met!
Why, Syaoran-kun, don't you love me equally as well?-Sakura now turned her head to look at Syaoran directly with a somewhat mischievous smile on her face.
... I love you, Sakura-chan.-Syaoran let out after a deep breath.
Again.-commanded the red-haired girl, widening her smile.
...You're the one I love most, Sakura-chan. -let out Syaoran in a clear tone, now more calmed down.
The card mistress hugged the boy and kissed him on the lips for a moment, before letting him go and staring at him with eyes full of emotion:
It doesn't matter who asks, I've decided I'll always be completely honest about how I feel about you, Syaoran-kun.
...You just enjoy seeing me embarrassed, don't you, Sakura-chan?-sighed Syaoran, turning his gaze away.
That too. You're just too cute when you're blushing, Syaoran-kun!-giggled the card mistress.
My, how lovely. Is sure nice to be young and still have such strong feelings for others. I can just wish you they'll hold up as you grow up.-replied Alice with a slight hint of irony, not stopping the work on her dolls for a moment during the whole exchange of words.
Alice-sama, Sakura and Syaoran are both already very mature despite their young ages.-said Tomoyo in a cold, almost gelid tone although she smiled- They surpassed a lot of hard trials together, put their lives on the line for each countless time other and forged a truly strong bond between their beings.
Well, maybe I spoke a little out of place. I apologize. You too look like you quite a mature-minded young lady, Tomoyo.-said the puppeteer.
I must say I've never seen you so talkative, Alice. You should show that side of yours more often.-commented Luna Child, that had been sitting on the sofa at Syaoran's left side munching on cake.
That's simply because it's not everyday I get such cute city sect magicians that are worth having a civilized talk with, unlike some certain prank-loving fairies I could name.-snickered Alice.
Meiling, who had been slowly dozing off on a chair while holding a now sleeping sunny milk against her chest as a big doll after stuffing her stomatch, let out a big yawn before finally speaking since they had entered the room:
Yeah, the talk and snacks are all pretty good, but perhaps we should call it a night and get some rest? I think we had enough action for this day.
Ah, I apologize for my rudeness. You're still young humans, you need your proper rest. I'm afraid I don't have much on the way of guest sleeping rooms, but I can improvise something.-replied Alice, still working on her dolls.
Sakura let out a large yawn as well, suddenly noticing she was also quite exhausted but had been holding it off out of politeness.
Hmm, yes, some sleep would feel really good now...
Alice clapped her hands and some dolls entered the room, carrying wooden beds. Miniature, doll-sized wooden beds, that they placed .
You trolling us, Alice? Even we fairies can't fit in those.-complained Luna Child.
Alice smiled while pulling a card and chanting:
[Testing] "Level Titania"
The beds suddenly started growing, until they became large enough to accommodate the humans.
Oh, it looks just like The Big c...-let out Meiling before being interrupted by an angry glare from Syaoran, basically telling her "Don't reveal any Sakura cards if we don't need to!"
Hmm, you said something, Meiling?-Alice turned her head towards the chinese girl.
Haha, just saying that it like them big, beds that is, hahaha-nervously replied Meiling.
I'm developing some size manipulation magic to help me use my dolls. I can also miniaturize them for easier transport when I go out. But sometimes I get a strange feeling I had already refined this kind of magic at some point in the past, yet I somehow lost my notes on it... But I shouldn't bother you with such stories. I'll be taking my leave now, please rest well.
Wait, Alice-sama! Mind if I try using that sewing machine of yours a bit?-asked Tomoyo, standing up and bowing towards the puppeteer
...Very well, if you aren't sleepy. I'll be by my room, but I'll also leave Shangai here with you, ask her if you need something, it's one of my best works.-Alice replied while a blonde doll with blue eyes, a large red ribbon in her long hair and a smaller one over her chest over a black maid dress with a white apron and holding a sharp-looking razor flew in the room. It made a long bow towards the humans before flying to sit on top of the tallest shelf in the room, where she had a good sight of everything inside.
Shouldn't you rest with us Tomoyo-chan?-asked Sakura before yawning again, sitting in one of the empty beds.
There's something I need to take care of. Don't worry about me, Sakura-chan you and Syaoran-kun are the one who need to recover their energies.-calmly replied Tomoyo.
But...-Sakura tried to insist, but her brain was already too sleepy to think of anything else to say.
Let her go, Sakura-chan. Tomoyo-chan is a smart girl and always knows what she's doing. If she doesn't want to explain why right now she must have her reasons.-said Syaoran, examining the sides of Sakura's bed, making sure there were no magic traps or anything, before checking the others and finally sitting on an empty one.
Hmm...Good night, Syaoran-kun...-Sakura fell asleep almost instantly as she laid down on her bed.
Star Saphire snuggled herself at the side of the card mistress, while Meiling was already snoring lightly over the sheets of another bed still holding Sunny Milk. Then as Syaoran laid face down on his bed, Luna flew down to his back.
What do you think you're doing, fairy? This is my bed! Look, there's another empty one over there.
That one is for the Tomoyo human. Besides we made a contract, close contact will help deepen our connection. Don't worry, it's not like I'm an actual human, I don't need any skin contact, just remaining near you.
You're just interested in my celestial magic. I only made a contract with you because Sakura-chan insisted.
If you're so suspicious of us, why did you let Sakura make a contract with Star Sapphire?
Everybody likes Sakura sooner or later. Even if that fairy has ill intentions now, she'll eventually become another loyal friend to her. She also has moon magic, you know? You should transfer your contract with me to her. Will save us both a lot of trouble down the line.
Yes, I can feel some moon magic from her, but yours is much stronger.
She also has sun magic. And star magic that is her current specialization.
I can't really draw sustenance from those. But that reminds me something I once heard...The light of the moon is even superior to the light of the sun or the stars. A peaceful power, the colour of the heart, sorrows, the light of the moon is a light that does not bewilder anything. Come now, wake up. Why do you think we both are treated well by the light of the sun and the light of the stars? You shouldn't sell yourself so short.
So you telling me that Sakura-chan only cares about my celestial magic? Geez, that's really inspiring, fairy...
Silly boy. You know that magic is strongly based in one's feelings. If your personality didn't match your celestial magic, then you wouldn't be able to make barbecue of so many of my cousins nor swing that big sword around like that. It is actually your metal element summon, isn't it? You should get a chant for it.
...Whatever, I'll sleep at the feet of the bed and you stay there. That's close enough to you?-said Syaoran as he got out of the bed and laid down on the wooden floor. His celestial training had included sleeping in the open wilds, so this wasn't something he minded that much.
Luna sighed and tucked herself inside the sheets, then looked down and noticed Syaoran staring at the sleeping card mistress
Oh, I see now, you would rather be on the same bed as Sakura in Star-chan's position, wouldn't you? Pervert!
Syaoran didn't say anything and just reached up with his arm holding a jufu that started to crackle with lighting right next to Luna's face.
Ok, ok I get it, I'll go to sleep now...
The room finally fell silent for a few moments, before Luna spoke again, this time using her power so that only the fairies could hear:
Sunny, Star, you awake?
...Let me sleep... Not morning yet...
These are fun humans!
Sunny, you should make a contract with that Meiling girl!
...But she doesn't have any magic...
That just means it will be easier to pull pranks with her!
(Author's notes: Yeah, Alice is renowned in Touhou for sheltering lost humans despite being a youkai. Also she's a city-sect magician true and through.)