Author's Note: Since it's Winter Break, and since I felt like it, this is another update in the same month. It's also to make up for the two month lag between updates. Enjoy.
Summary: 2 years after the second movie of Card Captor Sakura: The Sealed Card, life seems pretty normal compared to the Card Days, as Sakura and her friends refer to it, not including the training Keroberos forces Sakura to do and the fact that she is having a relationship with Syaoran who is now living back in Hong Kong. However, when magical entities are stirring up inside and around Tomoeda, what will the crew do? Will they take an aggressive stance and run straight into trouble or will they somehow figure out a way keep away from disaster?
A Riot of Surprise
Chapter 9: Dreaming Premonitions
Time stood still around a frozen pond with no trace of life; the greenery hidden under frost, the trees frozen into statues, the sky covered with insubstantial clouds that blocked the sun nonetheless, leaving only tiny, stray streams of weakened light. In the dead center of the pond stood a figure swathed in shadows dark in comparison to the idly shimmering patches of white scattered around him. A hood covered his face, a cloak his features.
In a sudden rush, time unwound and continued setting the figure into motion. Raising its arm soothing but unintelligible words came from its hidden lips. A muffled crack followed the soft sounds. With sparkling sapphire wings a falcon faded into existence and floated gracefully down onto the raised arm. With slightly transparent features, the falcon's crystalline form landed effortless and its talons clasped its perch tightly.
Whistling filled the air accompanied by swirling snow and a sudden flurry of snow until the two mysterious figures faded from view. Before they completely disappeared however, the shadow hidden figure moved its head to face her and disappeared in a sudden torrent of fire that turned the pond and its surroundings into sodden black ash. Burning branches crackled before they too disappeared into the foggy memory of dreams.
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"Sakura!"
"Sakura-chan!"
"Hoe?" Sakura muttered, raising her head from Syaoran's shoulder. Beside her, Tomoyo and Syaoran stirred into semi-wakefulness rousing Meiling and Eriol in the process.
"Get away from my sister, gaki!" Toya yelled, grabbing Syaoran by the shoulders and yanking him off the bench he had been asleep on. Groggily fighting back, Syaoran managed to open his mouth before being tossed onto the cold hard ground. Toya's voice evidently woke him enough for a glaring contest to ensue and before long they were at it again: a verbal/physical fight with no restrictions.
As the two fought in the background, Yukito and Sonomi told the other four teenagers that the police had finally given up the investigation on the mysterious case of shattering windows. Amidst the yelling and scuffling, police teams were busy putting away safety cones, caution tape, and the remains of the shattered windows all along the street. Due to the nature of the late hour, their movements seemed exaggerated and blurred, illuminated only by the tall lampposts towering overhead.
After the explanations, a still sleepy Sakura asked while rubbing her eyes, "Why didn't you come earlier, Yukito-san?"
Yukito put a hand behind his head sheepishly and laughed. "After some errands, Toya and I went to eat dinner at a buffet," he said as if that was all they needed to know. "So there was nobody at your house – your father is still at work – and our cell phones were off."
"That… explains a lot," Meiling commented with a querulous smile directed at Eriol. The reincarnation shrugged.
"Sorry for coming so late," Yukito amended with a smile. "Now, shall we go?"
Over at a table in front of a café, where he was arm wrestling with Syaoran, Toya called out, "As soon as you've gotten whatever stuff you might have forgotten, I'll drive you home. Unlike you junior high-schoolers, we college students have to sleep early to have enough energy for a day full of lectures." He grunted with exertion as Syaoran added more force, pushing Toya's hand nearer to the surface of the wooden table.
"Alright," Sakura called back with a sigh as Toya's shouts grew louder increasing with the rate he was losing. "Do you need a ride home?" she continued, the question directed Tomoyo, Meiling, and Eriol.
"My mother is busy doing some legal work, so if you don't mind, I'll be coming with you," Tomoyo replied. Sakura smiled in response. She turned towards Meiling.
"Wei will be here a few minutes after I call him so Syaoran and I don't need a ride."
"Since I'm using my descendant's room until Nakuru and Spinel arrive, I also have a ride," Eriol answered after Meiling spoke.
Slamming Toya's hand down in victory, Syaoran interrupted, "Wrong; you're sleeping on the couch tonight!" That earned a sigh and a shrug from Eriol which infuriated him all the more.
As Toya demanded a rematch, Sakura shouted over him, "Let's go, Tomoyo-chan, Yukito-san… What are you doing? Hurry up, Onii-chan!"
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In the car, Toya talked with Yukito who sat in the passenger's seat, leaving the two best friends sitting behind them in silence. Sakura covered her yawn with a sluggish hand. Tomoyo smiled.
"Sakura-chan," Tomoyo asked a moment later.
"Hmm?"
"Can I ask a favor of you?"
"What do you need?"
"Could I stay over tonight?"
Sakura looked over at her friend as lights raced by the windows and the muffled sound of the car's old engine chugged on. "Sure, but why tonight?"
"What's wrong with tonight?" Tomoyo asked in reply.
Sakura shook her head, "Nothing; I'm just curious as to why you'd choose tonight and not the weekend."
"I feel like it," Tomoyo answered cryptically.
Sensing a need for privacy, Sakura pushed away her internal questions and instead nodded. "Let's talk all night then!"
Tomoyo smiled at her friend's sudden burst of energy, "I thought you were tired."
Sakura chuckled, "I was, but not anymore since you'll be here tonight with me! It's been awhile."
Tomoyo nodded in agreement. The rest of the quick trip back to the Kinomoto residence was spent in idle chatter and praising the fact that they had no homework that night. You wouldn't have thought they had endured a disturbing afternoon if you had seen them laughing in the car.
The ride passed uneventful until they reached the house and Toya parked the car.
"Mail?" Toya announced querulously, picking up a letter sitting on the first step leading to the front door. A scowl replaced his arced eyebrows as he read the sender and passed it without further comment to its intended recipient.
"It's from Reizan-kun," Sakura told Tomoyo as they headed upstairs to her room at the end of the hallway.
"Saikatou-san?"
Sakura nodded.
"Dear Sakura-san,"
"How are you? When I saw you and your friends on the television today, I was worried that something had happened to you. I came over to your house at eight, but no one was home. But that's not the main reason for sending this letter. By the time you read this, you probably won't meet me until tomorrow morning, but I have a favor to ask: could you please show me and my friend around the city on Sunday. He will be arriving Saturday evening and will stay at my house as a roommate, so you could say you're your new neighbor. The reason I can't show him around myself is because I've found myself lost on more than one occasion while trying to find a place to shop for food. If you have a friend that could help, please ask him/her too; it's nothing private like… a love confession for example, to have one more person in on the 'secret.' Please meet me at the gym tomorrow before school with your answer. I hope you have a good night's sleep."
"With
regards,
Reizan Saikatou"
"A tour of the city?" Tomoyo asked after reading it once through. Sakura shrugged in response and glanced at her two alarm clocks; they read eleven thirty.
"Sakura, we have some leftovers from yesterday. If you want, we'll heat some for you and Tomoyo-chan!"
"Arigatou, onii-chan," Sakura called back down.
"I'll come with you tomorrow morning," Tomoyo suddenly announced.
"Hoe!"
"I'll wake you up so you won't miss this appointment."
"B-But, I didn't agree to go." Sakura protested.
"You're not honestly going to leave him there waiting, are you?" Tomoyo questioned, "You have morning duty so it won't be that much of a hassle waking half an hour earlier."
Sakura shook her head slowly after giving it a second's thought. "There's a catch though, isn't there?"
Tomoyo smiled widely and pulled out an extravagant, rolled-up length of beautiful, cherry pink cloth.
"What… is that?" Sakura deadpanned.
"They're ribbons for you to wear tomorrow. Even if it's an early morning appointment, you have to look your best and I bet Li-san would love them. In fact, I'll bet you that he'll be speechless."
"He'll be speechless all right," Sakura muttered, eyeing the lacy thing with horror.
"Don't worry," Tomoyo reassured, "There are no hidden cameras in it. In fact, there isn't anything inconspicuous enough that exists; believe me, I've tried."
Sakura chuckled uneasily, unsure how to respond but stammered out, "So that's why you wanted to stay over tonight, right?"
Tomoyo's face fell. It was in such a short moment though, that Sakura only caught a hint of sadness in her best friend's eyes. She dismissed it however, when Tomoyo laughed and agreed "to a point."
Eventually agreeing, Sakura left the letter on her desk, stared wistfully at Kero's bedchamber and went into the bathroom. Tomoyo sat on the rug covering the carpet, fiddling with the hem of her school uniform. She let out everything in a sigh and put on a smile, reaching under Sakura's bed for a sleep-over bag she had left there at the last sleep over, a month ago. A click, followed by a beep, and Tomoyo chuckled softly (Ohohohoh…) raising her video camera.
Toya winced as an earsplitting scream followed by, "Tomoyo, take that thing out of the bathroom!" He sighed at the antics of his sister and his cousin before locking the front door. A moment later, the sounds of Yukito's bike faded away. Reaching the stairs, he turned the lights off.
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In a dark room somewhere in Tomoeda…
"Tomorrow morning… that's when they'll find out he's here," a voice murmured in soft conversational tones as his hands stroked the fur of an enormous black wolf. "We have, at the most, two weeks before they come. Let's push the schedule up."
"As you wish, master…"
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"Fire!" she yelled to no avail. No one came, no help arrived; nothing but the crackling of the burning circle filled the silence. "Don't leave me behind," she tried to yell. With smoke pouring into her eyes, nose, and mouth, all she could manage was a raspy cough. She collapsed to the floor. "Help… save me!"
The last thing she saw as she lay there on her back was a faceless phantom. A single drop of water splashed onto her bare arm, the coolness lasting only a second before the fire swallowed it up and all feeling disappeared. Yet, before she faded completely away, she felt that she had indeed been saved.
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"Sakura-chan… Sakura-chan… Wake up!"
"Five more minutes, Kero-chan," Sakura mumbled lashing out at where the flying guardian should be. Instead of feeling empty air like usual however, her hand hit something soft and warm with a slap.
The sound woke her up where words could not and she stared up into Tomoyo's shocked eyes. A second paused before Sakura completely took in her friend's straight but uncombed hair, nightgown, the red mark on her face, and the ringing alarm clock in her hand. Wait… red mark?
"Hoe! Tomoyo-chan, I'm so sorry! I didn't know you were there!"
Tomoyo rubbed her cheek gingerly and sulked, "That's no reason to slap me."
"Gomen, gomen, gomen, gomen…" Sakura repeated over and over, pleading for forgiveness.
"All right, all right," Tomoyo sighed dramatically, "You're forgiven. Now get up and get dressed. After that, we'll comb your hair and tie it up with that lovely ribbon."
Sakura nodded with relief and offered, "I'll comb your hair too after you comb mine, alright?"
Moments later, Sakura closed her eyes and leaned back into Tomoyo as the comb went through her hair. "It's been too long since you've combed my hair, Tomoyo-chan. Back in second grade, you combed my hair everyday."
"It was – and still is – my pleasure," Tomoyo replied.
"Of course it was your pleasure; aside from combing my hair, you got to dress me up however you pleased."
"Ah, those lovely days watching my dear Sakura-chan in those beautiful handmade dresses. All right, all done."
Sakura opened her eyes and carefully touched her hair, basking vainly in her reflection. Nodding her thanks/appreciation/gratitude, Sakura traded places with Tomoyo and took up the comb. "I really do envy you, Tomoyo-chan. Your hair is so smooth. I wish my hair could be that beautiful."
"Believe me; your hair is beautiful enough as it is."
"Kaijuu! Are you still not up?" Toya's voice reached Sakura loud and clear.
"I'm not a monster!" she yelled back.
Laughter from below mocked her and she gritted her teeth as his reply wriggled its way into her ear, "I'll take that as a yes. Breakfast is ready so come down or you'll miss your morning appointment."
"Onii-chan, you were eavesdropping again!"
More laughter was all she got for yelling her throat hoarse…
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Over a breakfast of pancakes, Toya announced that his college was preparing a spring festival, and so he wouldn't be home for the next three days. "So you'll be home alone for three days, kaijuu," he called out as Sakura and Tomoyo headed for school. Sakura waved without looking back.
"Why didn't Reizan-kun tell me to meet him at his house? He does live next door," Sakura thought aloud.
"His house is probably still a mess having just moved in," Tomoyo offered.
"But wouldn't it be more convenient to talk about it in the classroom or sometime during lunch? I understand coming before school, but it's still a bit cold these days. Again, the classroom might have been a better choice," she complained, rubbing her eyes groggily.
"Quit whining. Just because you're still tired…" Tomoyo trailed off. Could it be…? she thought slyly as a car drove past them on the street.
"What?"
"Who has duties with you this morning?"
Sakura thought for a moment before she remembered, "I think it is Syaoran-kun's turn today."
"So maybe he doesn't want Li-san there because maybe he would object?" Tomoyo suggested.
Sakura incredulously asked, "Why would Syaoran-kun object?"
"Jealousy has a way of turning every innocent action into a crime," Tomoyo answered with a smile as they entered the front gates of the school ground.
"Sakura-san! And… Daidouji-san, correct?" a voice intruded their conversation. The interruption had such a great timing that Sakura ended up waving to Reizan and forgetting all about the topic of jealousy. Tomoyo smiled to herself as they arrived in front of the gym doors. Reizan had a smile on his face and something in his hand as he beckoned them over. "So…" he started as they neared.
"When do you want your tour of the city?" Sakura answered before he could finish the question. Smiling for good measure, she continued, "I think I'm free on the weekend."
"Thank you," he smiled back in relief.
A thought hit her then, "I'm just curious about why you asked me of all people? Don't we have a club that offers tours; I think they were called the Journey Club or something."
"That's the club at your brother's college," Tomoyo interrupted, "and I think they were called the Public Service Club."
Reizan laughed at that and Tomoyo had the decency to look abashed when Sakura glared at her in embarrassment. After his amusement faded a bit, Reizan answered, "I think, mainly because we're neighbors. I think that it'd be better to ask you because I know you've been living here all your life, judging from how your house looks; orderly, well used, and maybe a little old looking. Also, it would be a good opportunity to get to know you better and to introduce you to the other person that will be living next door."
"Then… I'll meet you for the tour on Sunday," Reizan continued after Sakura's gesture of understanding.
"Sunday? Aren't you joining us for lunch?" Sakura asked.
"Actually, I have some errands to run and stacks of homework to make-up." He added with a hand behind his head, "It is a hassle transferring into a new school in the middle of the year."
Just then Sakura let out a cry of surprise. "It's already this late? Li-kun is going to kill me for not getting their on time. Sorry, Reizan-kun, Tomoyo-chan, I have to go do my morning duties." She disappeared in a flash, leaving behind only a trail of dust. The sound of the opening and closing of the front door left Tomoyo and Reizan in silence.
"That was one of the quickest exits I've ever seen, "Reizan commented.
"She's had faster," Tomoyo corrected with a smile. "You don't mind if I help with the tour on Sunday do you?"
Reizan blinked at her for a second before he apologized for his lack of attention and said, "The more the merrier!"
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Sakura rushed into the room and slammed it open. "Syaoran-kun, gomenasai, I'm–"
Sakura trailed off, finding the room empty. "That's weird," she muttered to herself as she surveyed the room. Strangely, the chairs were perfectly aligned; the date and announcements were written on the board; the potted plants were watered and placed on the window ledge for the sunlight. "That's weird," she muttered again.
"What's weird?" a voice asked behind her.
"Hoe!" she exclaimed, jumping into the room in fright.
She landed on the ground with palms open, knees aching, turning around. "Sy-Syaoran-kun! Don't scare me like that!" she cried out with fear produced tears in her eyes.
Syaoran ignored her and demanded, "Where were you? I finished almost all of the duties already."
"Gomen, gomen…" Sakura apologized pleadingly.
Syaoran sighed and waved his hand as if saying that it didn't matter anymore. Sakura watched in confusion as he headed back out of the classroom and was about to call for him to wait when he returned with a broom in hand. She cocked her head in confusion.
"Arts class," he answered as if that was all she needed to know. When she shook her head, not understanding the message he clarified, "The mess the class created with paper mosaics?"
"Oh…"
They worked quickly and in silence afterwards. So quickly, in fact, that they finished a minute. Sakura stretched and yawned at her desk, digging through her bag for school supplies when she noticed, "I don't have my obento!"
Syaoran didn't spare her a glance as she tried to remember where she had put it. In the end, she sighed in relief as she realized that Tomoyo had it. Where was Tomoyo anyways?
"Sakura," Syaoran interrupted her thoughts. "I'm leaving Japan on Saturday."
"Eh, what? Why?" Sakura exclaimed in shock. "You can't leave, you just got here!"
Syaoran smiled sadly, "It's not permanent, just for the weekend. I'll be back by the time school starts."
"But… why?" Sakura questioned, evidently downhearted.
"The elders want me to report our situation… in person," he added the last when Sakura opened her mouth. She bit back her "why can't you just send them a letter" question as a result.
"Also," he continued, "I have some errands to run so I can't meet you for lunch for the next two days either and so I won't see you much until next Monday." Seeing that she still looked downhearted, he added, "Meiling will still be here."
"It's important…" he finished lamely.
Just when Syaoran decided to do something about the oppressive silence, a scream pierced the air.
"Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura cried out, recognizing the voice instantly.
"Daidouji? She was here?" Syaoran called out as he followed Sakura outside, trailing behind her breakneck pace.
As Sakura took the first step out the front door of the school complex, she heard the sound of breaking glass and watched in horror as a body fell into her vision. She almost fainted but the urge to preserve her friend's life overtook her nausea. She ran for all she was worth.
Her breath caught in her throat when she realized the uniform the unconscious student wore was not a female's but a male's. "Reizan-kun!" she gasped as she stopped in front of his still body. Her eyes took in the flecks of blood on the ground and the glass pieces still imbedded in his flesh. Raising her head, she spotted Tomoyo raised high in the air by something that could not exist.
A larger than life sapphire blue falcon flew in the air, its immense talons gripping onto the back and collar of Tomoyo's shirt almost ripping it to shreds. Sakura's eyes tracked it until a rumbling sound reached her ears and a large crystalline spire of ice erupted from the ground until it reached the height of the courtyard's trees. It left Tomoyo hanging unconscious from the point of the spire by the tattered shreds of the uniform's collar.
Even more surprising than anything else, the falcon, without opening its beak, greeted in an icy almost monotone voice, "Ohayo gozaimasu."
Behind her, Sakura heard Syaoran's sudden cry of surprise, "What… are you?"
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Japanese Translations
Gaki – Brat; Derogatory term for a kid
Arigatou – Thank you
Gomen – Sorry
Gomenasai – A politer way to say "Sorry"
Obento – It should be in the English dictionary but… "A Japanese meal that is packaged in a partitioned lacquer box"
Ohayo Gozaimasu – Good morning
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Ending Note: If there are any spelling/grammatical errors I am sorry. This chapter marks the end of revision and a storyline different, but similar, to my original one. Thank you for dealing with my stubbornness, procrastination, and overall snail speed and also… thanks for understanding!