Disclaimer: (I really should drop this part of the story; it's already been decide by destiny that I won't be able to own CardCaptor Sakura and X/1999 much less become a part of the awesome CLAMP to own them…. _)
Authoress' Notes: So much for updating fast… And many things caught up with me, taking my attention away from this little piece. It wasn't long ago that I'd rewritten this chapter, because I didn't like the way I began the first one... And I'm ranting... On with the story, then!
Twisted Fates
By: Syaoran's Sakura
Chapter 2:
Overture
"There are still things we can do." -Sumeragi Hokuto, X/1999 TV Series
Sakura, Syaoran and Tomoyo walked away from Eriol's house in silence, listening to Kero-chan's mumbles in between bites from the cookies Nakuru gave him. From time to time the plush toy would burst an angry remark, but then mumble as he shoves down another cookie down his mouth.
Sakura would smile at her magical companion from time to time, but then her eyes still fall on a certain brunette in the end. Syaoran walked ahead of the two girls, hands in his pockets. Sakura eyed him for a moment, and then turned her gaze to the ground, blushing, and thought of another important matter: Eriol.
Earlier before they left the manor Eriol asked to speak to her in private, in an extension room from the one they were in. She agreed readily and followed him, but behind she could feel Tomoyo's worried gaze on her and Syaoran's signature death glare on Eriol as the room fell silent.
*(*(*(*(*
Flashback
Eriol let out a sigh-like chuckle as he closed the door behind him. Sakura scanned the small room, seeing the birds fly outside the window soundlessly. Finally she turned to him, a questioning look on her eyes. "Why is there a silence magic in this room?"
Eriol let out a smile. 'Her magic's really stronger than before.' "A part of Silent's magic was used here, so there's no need to worry." He saw Sakura's tense shoulders relaxed. "I did it because I have something important to ask you."
"What is it?" Her innocent voice encouraged him.
He took a deep breath before speaking. "Sakura-san, if you knew that the most important person to you would bring about tragedy, what would you do?"
Sakura looked away in thought, until she smiled back at him, her emerald green eyes bright. "Then I'd protect him. I'd hold on to him and never let him go for as long as I live." (1)
"I see. Then I have one last favor to ask of you." Eriol took one of her hands in his, "When someone close to you goes far away, please think about how your feelings then are different from now. If you do, you'll understand what is it that you truly wish for."(2)
"I… I will."
Eriol smiled wistfully. "Thank you." He said when confusion crossed her features. "Sakura-san, by the time we meet again many things may have changed, and you might face hardships once more. Those might be the hardest ones that you will face, but please, whatever happens, do not lose hope. They may be dark times, but please do not lose that light in your heart. Do not forget you invincible line."
End Flashback
*(*(*(*(*
Eriol's words had been mysterious, his eyes having that melancholic sparkle different from the others. 'What could he mean?' Sakura asked to herself, when she felt a stare land on her. Swiftly she turned her head, only to see a group walk in on Eriol's mansion. Her emerald gaze locked upon deep amber eyes, the man directly looking at her. He stared at her blandly, before breaking their locked gazes and headed into the mansion. Sakura stood rooted in her place, her eyes never leaving the man's figure until he went inside.
Tomoyo, sensing that Sakura was no way beside her, turned back to her, running to her side. "What's wrong, Sakura-chan?" She said. Syaoran came beside her, both their faces mirroring the same expression of worry.
Sakura answered, but her eyes never turned to them. "There were some people… who went to Eriol-kun's house. One of them… was staring at me."
Syaoran looked at her in alarm. "Did you feel magic on him?"
"… No."
"Then I'm sure they are just Eriol-san's friends." Tomoyo stepped in, planting her hands on Sakura's shoulders and steering her back. "We should hurry home now. Yukito-san's coming over at your house tonight, right?"
"Oh, yes!" Sakura cheered up, but her thoughts never left the deep amber eyes that stared at her a while ago.
Syaoran stayed behind the two girls, keeping a close eye on them both. He knew that Sakura was still troubled by the incident, but what troubled him was Tomoyo's light attitude and all-knowing smile at the matter.
*(*(*(*(*
"So she's the one!" A bouncy clack haired girl announced happily. Beside her a gray wolf –like dog barked, its tail wagging vigorously in response to its master. Together they watched the trio on the street from one of the mansion's windows.
"Be careful, Yuzuriha-san, or she might be able to see you." Seiichiro Aoki reminded her, gently pulling her from the window. But the genki girl was still animatedly speaking, her eyes sparkling with delight. "But she is so young! And so cute! Just like Miya-chan!" She turned to the serene lady beside her.
"How is Miya-chan, Arashi-san?" Aoki joined them both.
Arashi Kishuu smiled fondly at the mention of her daughter. "She's fine. I brought her to school this morning before I went meeting you. She wants to see everyone soon."
"Still as eager as ever! We'll have lots of fun next time I come over." Yuzuriha excitedly said as the door opened, admitting a temperate-looking man in.
"Fuuma-san!" The genki girl greeted him first. "We were just talking about Arashi-san's daughter!"
" I see." He took a seat opposite the two ladies. "How is she?"
"Miya-chan is fine. She can't wait to see everyone again. She said she wants to spend more time with her Onii-chan." Arashi smiled at him gently.
"So am I." Fuuma let out a small smile. He looked tenderly at each of them, everyone smiling at him, treating him as if he were part of the group.
After the Promised Day he had been reluctant, almost ashamed to face them. Knowing that it was him who wrecked their lives apart, Fuuma had expected their wrath. But their kindness caught him off guard, and the remaining Dragons of Heaven welcomed him with open arms.
He'd lived alone since then, back in the temple where he grew up. From time to time Arashi would take care of the house for him; in return he would look after her daughter Miya.
It had been ten years since the Promised Battle, and now another one is approaching. But this time Fuuma is fighting to save the world, and protect the earth that Kamui and Kotori loved.
"Everyone's here!" Nakuru announced, stepping in to the room. Following behind her, Eriol came dressed in dark robes, an unreadable smile in his lips. Spinel Sun lazily floated beside him, settling on the arm of his master's chair, with the now-transformed Ruby Moon standing on Eriol's other side. "I believe you are here because of the spell?" He addressed to everyone in the group.
"Yes." It was Aoki who spoke. "And things other than that."
"Now that the spell is broken, the spell that stopped us four from growing old for nearly eight years, does this mean that Sakura-san has fulfilled her first destiny?"
Eriol looked apologetically to them. "Yes. It was my request that she divide the power between me and her father, another reincarnation of Clow's. Sakura-san is now the most powerful magician in the world.
Arashi let out a trembled sigh. "And the Promised Day… it will come again?"
"No." Fuuma quickly countered. "At least, not yet, with Nadeshiko-san's spell still on effect. She postponed the Promised Day until the day Sakura-san turned 14, but it had cost her life."
"She did her best to delay it much longer, but she was also the kage-nie of the earth, just like Kamui-san's mother." Yuzuriha sadly said. The room lapsed into silence.
"Then we only have four years to prepare for the battle." Arashi broke the silence. "We must find the other Dragons of Heaven until then."
"But how?" Yuzuriha looked at her, asking. "Hinoto-hime… She was the one who helped us back then. Only someone who has power… Oh, I know! Can you help us, Eriol-san?" She looked back and forth from Arashi to Eriol, her genki mood back.
Eriol was happy at the acknowledgement, but he gave a nod of apology to everyone. "I'm sorry, but I'm not that powerful like Hinoto-hime. Only a dreamseer can fill her role. As for me, I'm just a noble guardian."
"You know you're never that." A young but mirthful voice came from the door. The remaining Dragons of Heaven started in alarm, poised for battle, when their eyes fell upon a girl standing confidently on the doorway, her pale violet eyes looking at each of them knowingly.
Eriol was smiling kindly at her as he approached. "I see you're already here, Daidoji-san. And you have startled our guests as well." He held his arm out, which she took gladly as he led her to his own chair.
"You do know that you can call me by my name, Eriol-san." She sat as he moved to stand by her side. Tomoyo smiled at everyone, who was still on guard. "It's fine. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ten no Ryu."
"How did you…" Aoki started. Arashi could only stare in surprise. How can such a young girl know about them?
"It's alright, everyone. Please take your seats." It was Fuuma who spoke. The rest of the Ten no Ryu followed, though they still felt surprised.
"Thank you, Fuuma-san." Tomoyo looked after him. "I was rude to sneak up on you. I am Tomoyo Daidoji, Sakura-chan's friend."
"So that's why you looked somewhat familiar!" Yuzuriha exclaimed. "You're the one with Sakura-chan just a while ago!"
"Yes, but I had to leave her and Syaoran-kun for a while to come here and meet with you." Tomoyo looked at Eriol. "I'm sorry for breaking into your house all of a sudden."
Eriol Glanced tenderly at her. "I knew you were in here, anyway."
Aoki took the seat beside Fuuma. "Daidoji-san, now that we know you are a close friend of Sakura-san, but how did you know about us, the Ten no Ryu?"
"I have dreamed of it. Of this day, and of the Final Battle."
Yuzuriha gasped. Fuuma's fists tightened. "So you... are a dreamseer." There was no hesitation in his voice, but his fists tightened even more, just like his heart.
"I'm sorry for bringing up sad memories for everyone. But yes, I am a dreamseer. I haven't realized it until Eriol-san arrived, but when I have seen and dreamed everything I've decided to side with Sakura-chan for the Final Battle. I am a dreamseer of the Ten no Ryu."
"Then, can you help us find the other Ten no Ryu?" Arashi asked.
Tomoyo shook her head. "I'm afraid that is quite impossible as of now. The two remaining Ten no Ryu are still in the process of awakening their powers. But they have protected Sakura-chan since the beginning; they are people closest to Sakura-chan right now."
"And the Chi no Ryu?"
Tomoyo shook her head once more.
"But this I know; that in the next three years each one of us who are involved with the Promised Day will lose something or someone important to us, but the one who will suffer the most is Sakura-chan. And when the Promised Day comes we need to be there for her regardless of what she chooses, as her twin star is someone important to her."
"But I believe in Sakura-chan; I'm sure she'll choose the path that her heart dictates."
Fuuma let out a deep sigh and spoke, but his voice quivered for a bit. "I-If Sakura-san did choose to be a Ten no Ryu, will she be able to get through the challenges that await her in the future?" He asked everyone's fears aloud.
"I hope, and I believe." Tomoyo looked at Eriol, who smiled warmly at him. "It's Sakura-chan, after all. It's not her power that makes her stronger, she still has her invincible phrase to believe in, as well as herself.
"That everything will surely be alright."
*(*(*(*(*
The airport bus was fading from view as it went to its destination. And inside it, Syaoran was still looking at her.
Sakura waved once more at him, her eyes never letting go of his brown hair. Her hand came up to her chest, above her heart, as she silently made her vow.
"I'll wait forever, because Syaoran-kun is the one I love most."
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Syaoran's Sakura: The next chapter's already in the works, that I can assure you all... If ever there is still someone reading... *sulks in a corner* T_T
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